EU extended duty-free imports of fruits, vegetables and nuts from Uzbekistan for another 4 years

In April 2023, EastFruit wrote that the European Union intends to extend Uzbekistan’s status as a beneficiary of the GSP+ system for a new cycle. At negotiations with representatives of the government of Uzbekistan, the EU delegation at that time noted that Uzbekistan had ratified the necessary…

Stanley growers say summer and autumn crop is looking good, chestnuts too early to tell

According to Don Nightingale, the fruit set of Nightingale’s Apples is strong: “We’ve got nice crops, looking good. The drier season is definitely more favorable for growers.” However, he added it is too soon to tell for chestnuts, as they have not begun flowering. Although the trees are healthy, a late…

Unprecedented agroforestry initiative was launched in Acre, Brazil

This Saturday, the launch event for Exporta Mais Amazônia took place in Rio Branco. The program aims to boost exports of products, compatible with the forest. The Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil), chaired by Jorge Viana from Acre, has strived to ensure an increase in…

South Africa's dried mango dilemma

A year ago, Jaco Fivaz (right) from Mohlatsi Farm, a Hoedspruit mango farmer and former chair of the South African Mango Growers’ Association, realised their own mango drying facility was facing some export challenges. He spent months researching the global trade in dried mango and told the recent…

Dreamstime.com

Eating more nuts during middle age might prolongs people’s lives by 8 years

According to recent research, adults who take up a healthier diet during their 40s can extend their lifespan by eight or more years. Evidence from a study of more than 460,000 Brits shows that people will live longer if they eat more nuts and whole grains and reduce their sugary drinks and processed…

War in the Middle East shifts demand from Israeli Medjool dates to Egyptian dates

The intensification of violence in the Middle East has shifted a significant part of the demand for Israeli Medjool dates to Egypt, according to Ramadan Elsayyad, export manager of the Egyptian producer Palm Hills Dates. Ramadan told FreshPlaza: "Our business is experiencing a sharp increase as a result…

"In terms of quality, California is expecting one of the best harvests ever"

"For a long time, German food retailers endeavoured to remove shelled walnuts from their product ranges at the end of the Christmas season, as there was supposedly no demand for them after Christmas. However, this has been a thing of the past for a few years now," says Joachim Alkewitz, Co-Managing…

Walnuts show great promise as a profitable South African crop

Currently, walnuts make up the smallest portion of South Africa’s nut crops. However, they show much promise as a profitable crop that can be grown across various areas in the country. One of the first to take the leap, Rotondo Walnuts is paving the way for a robust future industry. The 10-year wait for…

California almond acreage drops again in 2023

California’s total almond acreage dropped again in 2023, this time by about 74,000 acres, making two years in a row that acreage has decreased, something that has not happened since at least 1995, according to a new report from Land IQ to the Almond Board of California (ABC). Total acreage dropped from…

“A return to normal with smaller harvest”

The 2022 French campaign was exceptional, with an abundant harvest of almost 50,000 tons, compared with an average of 40,000 tons (20,000 tons in the Périgord and 20,000 tons in the Grenoble region). This surplus was “difficult to sell on the saturated global market, which led to a drop in prices for…

"My internal optimism still believes California is the idea place to grow tree nuts"

None of the US almond industry leaders are likely to argue that 2023 has been a usual or easy year, or that the year ahead isn’t filled with challenges. Looking ahead, outgoing Almond Board of California President/CEO Richard Waycott has summarized this year; he came to a cautiously optimistic look…

Outlook for US walnut industry is mixed, despite excellent harvest

Walnut industry officials in September excitedly predicted an excellent harvest this season, and their enthusiasm gained support from the USDA. The agency forecast a 5% bigger crop from 2022 despite fewer bearing acres. Pricing at the start of the marketing year is up 40% over where it ended last year,…

Papua New Guinea ready to export galip nuts across the world

The government of Papua New has set out to commercialize local indigenous products, and the galip nut has now been recommend for export across the world. Secretary for Agriculture, Dr Sergie Beng, was one of the pioneer scientists who did expounded research on the galip nut during his time at the…

Key factors driving increased imports of citrus, cashews, and dates

Experts from the Institute of Macroeconomic and Regional Studies have conducted a comprehensive analysis of the import trends for citrus fruits (kiwi, mandarins, oranges), cashews, and dates in Uzbekistan from 2018 to 2022. In 2022, the import of citrus fruits, cashews, and dates in Uzbekistan…

Turkish expert suggests planting hazelnuts at higher altitudes

As sudden changes in temperatures caused by global climate change in the Black Sea Region have adversely impacted hazelnut yields, climate scientist Professor Dr. Mehmet Levent Kurnaz made some statements on the importance of relocating the hazelnut plantations. In recent years, hazelnuts have been…

How macadamia shells could help reduce carbon emissions

Australia's macadamia industry is making significant strides in sustainability, addressing the increasing global demand for environmentally responsible food production. The industry's commitment extends beyond merely meeting demand to actively mitigating environmental impacts, aligning with the growing…

Zimbabwe's horticultural sector is seeing recovery due to investment

Zimbabwe's horticultural sector, severely affected by violent land seizures two decades ago, is experiencing a recovery driven by increased investment. The industry is aiming to achieve $1 billion in exports by 2030, according to the Horticultural Development Council (HDC). In 1999, Zimbabwe's…

New standards for sweet potato and pecans to facilitate international trade

The adoption of a UNECE recommendation for sweet potatoes this week will ensure product quality and fairness in trade, thus enhancing sustainable development outcomes. The standard was initiated by Germany and South Africa. Sweet potatoes are becoming an important part of our cuisine: mashed sweet…

Tree nut prices fell to their lowest levels in at least two decades

In 2022, prices after adjusting for inflation, called real prices, were $1.10 per pound for almonds, $0.51 for hazelnuts, and $0.25 for walnuts. The last time real almond and hazelnut prices were this low was at the turn of the 21st century. Walnut (real) prices are at an all-time low, according to data…

Almond Board of California harnessing AI to inspire almond innovation

The Almond Board of California (ABC) is tapping into artificial intelligence to fuel inspiration for the future of almond innovation. ABC will use Tastewise, an AI-powered food trends prediction and intelligence startup, to help the food and beverage industry anticipate fast-changing culinary trends and…

Production of Portuguese walnuts at lower level this season

There is a lower availability of walnuts from Portugal. Tiago Mendes Pinto, commercial director of Portuguese walnut exporter Nogam, states that’s it’s not quite the season they had expected: “For the walnut season, we’re having a bad year in terms of the production. Volumes were slightly lower than we…

“We want to keep our planting momentum”

Produced on more than 1,800 hectares, the harvest of chestnuts of Périgord-Limousin for the fresh market has already come to an end, and the harvest for processing is almost over. 2023: “Small harvest, below predictions”“This year's harvest will be smaller than in 2022, which was a year of high production,” explains…

US pistachio crop exceeds expectations

The U.S. pistachio crop for the current year has surpassed expectations, with a 15% increase from the original estimate of 1.3 billion pounds. By early November, receipts totaled more than 1.48 billion pounds, and the final crop could exceed 1.5 billion pounds. California, responsible for about 99% of…

Australian almond research facility receives $6.2 million

Australian state-of-the-art research facility, the Almond Centre of Excellence, has been given a $6.2 million injection to continue supporting growers to adopt global best practices suited to their local conditions. Delivered through Hort Innovation and led by the Almond Board of Australia, the Centre in…

Dreamstime

US almond growers have been combating pests and diseases

It has been a tumultuous year for US almond growers. According to BASF Technical Service Representative, Dr. Kevin Caffrey, the excess of moisture early in the year led to greener hills, bringing with them an unexpected surge in pests attacking almond crops. However, bloom diseases such as jacket rot and…

Krasnoyarsk Territory imported more than 20.000 tons of imported fruits and vegetables

In the Krasnoyarsk Territory, more than 20 thousand tons of imported fruits and vegetables have been imported since the beginning of this year, according to specialists from…

Tulare County sees start of 'cash selling season' for walnuts

This year, November 3rd marked the start of walnut cash selling season in Tulare County. It comes right after growers have already processed their crops so what's left on the…

Azerbaijan's hazelnut success: a flourishing agriculture sector and global impact

Azerbaijan is actively advancing its agriculture, focusing on key areas such as tomato, persimmon, pomegranate, and notably, hazelnut production. The country ranks 4th…

"Catastrophic" chestnut campaign in Extremadura

UPA-UCE Extremadura has described this season's chestnut harvest as "catastrophic", with an almost 40% drop in the production compared to the previous year. "The impact of…

Australia now has a National Recovery Plan to protect its wild macadamias

Australia’s native nut, the wild macadamia, now has a National Recovery Plan to guide its protection. The National Recovery Plan for Macadamia Species was made jointly by the Federal and Queensland Governments and legislated recently under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. The…

ERNST LÜDERS GmbH & Co. KG

"Bumpy start for the French walnut campaign"

The first French walnuts were loaded at the Hamburg wholesale market in week 43. "Compared to other years, the season started 14 days later, which is mainly due to the heat in late summer. The harvest in the French growing regions of Grenoble and Périgord is starting very slowly this year and the…

Almond shipments exceed expectations

According to the monthly Almond Insights Market Report published by Blue Diamond Growers, 96.162 tons shipped in August and 98.747 tons out-the-door in September (representing…

California records huge tree nut losses from navel orangeworm

University of California Cooperative Extension farm advisor Franz Niederholzer, an orchard systems expert involved with tree nuts and navel orangeworms, is finding “massive losses” in at least four counties due to a major infestation. “The picture is not yet totally clear, but NOW damage has been heavy,…

Mintec

US market expects strong October almond shipments

Market participants surveyed by Mintec at the end of October were expecting strong shipments ahead of the release of the October position report on 10th November. Estimates for the October shipment figure were reported in the range of 220-255 million pounds, with most respondents returning figures of…

Almonds uphold legacy as #1 nut in food and beverage innovation

In an era marked by evolving consumer preferences and shifting market dynamics, almonds have retained their crown as the #1 nut in new product introductions worldwide,…

"Our Belgian walnuts should be able to compete with overseas supply"

Belgian walnuts are not yet abundantly available in supermarkets. Nonetheless, growers in Flanders should be able to reap this emerging crop's fruit in the coming years. To draw attention to local nuts, a Walnut Day will be held on November 12. It will include a tour of Hugo Vets farm. Hugo started…

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa date farmers navigate uncertain times

Agriculture experts hold that if the Pakistani government prioritises the development of the date palm sector, it will certainly boost the national economy. The native date…

Recap of date harvest tour

Natural Delights recently welcomed a diverse group of more than 30 guests from around the world to its annual Medjool Date Harvest Tour. The event brought together a mix of retailers, importers, wholesalers, influencers, dietitians, chefs and media professionals. Guests had the opportunity to go up into the date palms to try…

"Tunisian Deglet Noor stand out for their freshness"

Deglet Noor, or "date of light" in Arabic, is one of the leading North African date varieties, making it one of the most popular dates in the world. These dates are produced commercially in 3 countries: Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya. Mohamed Sadok defends the Tunisian origin. "Deglet Noor dates are the…

"This year, we expect to have 20-30% more avocado than last year"

The mango campaign is about to finish in Malaga. "Only the last Keitt and Sensation remain, which are the latest varieties in the area, and the truth is that the end is leaving us with a bitter feeling, as this has been a campaign with 75% less volume compared to last year," says Prudencio Lopez, manager…

California pistachio crop could reach 1.5 billion lbs.

The California pistachio harvest is soon wrapping up an on-year for the crop following last year’s off-year, lower-sized crop. “The original estimate for 2023 was around 1.3 billion lbs. Last week’s report on crop deliveries from growers to processors as of October 20th is 1.48 billion lbs.,” says…

Turkish customs duty increase on almonds and walnuts

Customs tariffs for walnuts and almonds from all origins have increased to 15 percent. The 10 percent Section 232 retaliatory tax on U.S.-originated walnuts and almonds…

Andhra Pradesh growers switch from mangoes to dates

When Sudheer Naidu planted about 200 date palms at Bondalawada village of Anantapur district a dozen or so years ago, he was laughed at by other farmers. However, four years…

Australian macadamia industry continues streak of perfect scores in National Residue Survey

The 2022-23 National Residue Survey (NRS) results are in, and we’re proud to report that the Australian macadamia industry has once again been awarded 100% compliance. The…

NUSSLAND GmbH

"2023 will be a lean walnut year"

More than 2,500 private individuals and farmers already deliver their nuts to the Nussland cracker in Dollbach, Lower Austria, year after year. "This year the frequency will certainly be lower," Nussland boss Julia Taubinger says regretfully about the meagre harvest in an interview with NÖN. "The cool…

“The demand for pistachio kernel remains strong, especially in Italy”

The demand for Spanish pistachio continues to rise, and this is reflected in the prices, which rose by 40% for the Larnaka, the most sought-after variety, reaching 16 Euro per kilo, as revealed by the latest data from the Mesa de Precios de Talavera, updated on October 4. The price continues to rise,…

USDA to provide funds to commodity and specialty crop producers impacted by 2022 natural disasters

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced more than $3 billion to fund the Emergency Relief Program (ERP), helping commodity and specialty crop producers impacted by…

Historical achievement in Moroccan market

In the MY 2022/23, Egypt has set a historical record for exporting dates to the Moroccan market, more than doubling its export volume in this direction, according to EastFruit. Such a rapid growth of exports allowed Egypt to also become the second largest date supplier to Morocco. From October 2022 to September 2023 (i.e.,…

"Our new organic nuts in bulk bags have been well received by the customer"

"Nuts and dried fruits have been highly popular with consumers for several years. This is due to various trends. One of these is of course 'Healthy Snacking'. Many consumers want to eat healthier and are therefore turning to natural ingredients and snacks." "Nuts and dried fruit are perceived by…

The Egyptian peanut season kicks-off

The Egyptian peanut season has just begun, with demand on the rise and competition still calm. Mohamed Hassan, export sales manager at Alalamia Nuts reports on the season's kick-off. "Our peanut season started two weeks ago and will last 7 months. This season we have recorded a drop in production at the national…

Ferrero Group shelves Australian hazelnut farm

The Ferrero Group has Listed adjoining Riverina farms five years after planting some million hazelnut trees over part of it. The Italy-based group behind Nutella will abandon the operation, raze the shrubs and offer the 2665 hectare Narrandera site as a vacant agricultural asset. With 11,361 megalitres…

USDA

Australia almond production forecast to rebound 28 percent to 140,000 tons in total

Global almond production for 2023/24 is forecast 3 percent higher to 1.5 million metric tons (tons) shelled basis on higher output in the United States, Australia, and the European Union. Global consumption is expected to expand 6 percent to 1.6 million tons. Global exports are forecast to rise 5 percent…

Raisins obtained from the best seedless selections

Sicilian grapes from Mazzarrone enters the processed fruit sector with Uvella, the raisins produced with seedless grapes, the first of their kind produced entirely in Italy. This was possible after four years of research and experimentations conducted in collaboration with the University of Palermo…

Kern county's grape and almond crops may have suffered $930 million in damages after August rains

Kern county farmers may have suffered almost $1 billion in crop losses due to the unseasonable rains hitting local vineyards and almond orchards in August. Based on grower…

Foto: @Stefan Ringler

"We offer the same quality at a significantly lower price than freeze-drying"

The start-up Vicotto Foods GmbH, based in Innsbruck, combines know-how from the food industry with modern drying technology. "We use an exclusive and innovative drying technology for drying agricultural products, which was developed by one of our shareholder companies. The air that is dehumidified for…

"The markets are struggling to secure a supply of quality chestnuts this year"

The chestnut campaign is underway in Spain with very limited volumes due to the poor quality in many producing areas at national level, as well as in other southern European countries. The markets are struggling to secure a supply and the prices of quality lots are very high. "At this time of the year…

Date snack brand MyJool lands nationwide Waitrose listing

MyJool is a new sweet snack featuring three high-quality, 100% natural Medjool dates in a handy pack, offering busy, modern consumers a healthy, convenient snacking solution. The new brand is poised to shake up the UK snacking market by launching their first phase marketing campaign in Waitrose with a…

Australian macadamias start making their mark in India

After extensive research, India has been identified as the next high-potential market for Australian macadamias, due to its status as the world’s fastest growing economy, the…

"First Tunisian dates en route, similar harvest to last year"

The first load of new Tunisian dates is on its way to Tovano in the Netherlands. "It left this weekend, and we should get the dates today," says Richard Strijbis, who visited his Tunisian supplier Haifa Dates last week. "It's good to see how the crop is looking. I saw good dates hanging on the trees, and…

Naute Irrigation Scheme still without power after two weeks

The Naute Irrigation Scheme in the //Kharas region is still without power after electricity was cut two weeks ago by the Namibia Power Corporation (NamPower), regarding a debt…

Tajikistan aims to increase the export of fruits and vegetables

Tajikistan aims to increase the export of agricultural products, with a particular focus on fruits and vegetables. In 2022, the exports amounted to $54 million, while the…

Income from the export of fruit and berry products from Ukraine decreased

The income from Ukraine's fruit and berry export has decreased for the first time in 2023. The total revenue declined by 30%, reaching 167 million dollars. The highest sales…

'California water conservation mandates do not rein in biggest water consumers'

A proposed regulation supported by the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) would impose permanent water conservation mandates on about 400 California cities and water…

US industry officials say that removing retaliatory tariffs will boost almond and walnut exports to India

According to US almond industry officials, the formal removal of retaliatory tariffs on agricultural products going into India will boost demand in that nation. Agreed to in…

Sunnyday GmbH

"With our all-natural products, we are benefiting fully from the health trends"

The arrival of autumn traditionally marks the start of the peak season for nuts and dried fruit. "The year can simply be divided into three trimesters: the peak season between the end of September and the end of the year, the 'off-season' leading up to Easter, and the summer months which are…

Tunisian dates production increases by 14%

The date harvest in Tunisia has begun this week. In contrast to other crops suffering from a year of drought, the date sector is doing well and production has even increased compared to last season. Mohamed Akermi, CEO of Tunileaf, reports on the season start. Akermi told FreshPlaza, "Everything went…

Sweet business booms in Madinah with date season

Madinah is showcasing its date industry during its annual season. The sector has been producing more than 50,000 tons of the fruit in the past three months, adding more than…

California walnuts see slight increase in production over 2022

It’s harvest season and the 2023 California walnut crop indicates volume growth with strong product quality, offering retailers more sales opportunities leading into the peak holiday season. With a one percent increase in production from 2022 and excellent quality expected due to favorable growing…

Stone fruit helped to push Fresno County agri output slightly in 2022

Despite low commodity prices in two of Fresno County’s primary crops, the region’s gross agricultural output increased slightly in 2022. Fresno leads the state - and the…

Growing interest in fresh Chilean plums in the Chinese market

In recent years, Onizzo, a company associated with Chileprunes, has established itself as one of Chile's main exporters of dried fruits and nuts. They ship dehydrated plums, walnuts and garlic to more than 30 countries. As regards the former, this year they expect to export 3,000 tons from some 30…

Demain la Terre continues to grow

This year, Demain la Terre was present at Fruit Attraction with new members and a bigger booth. It was also an opportunity for the association to “reaffirm its commitments and unveil its future projects,” further “setting the standard for social and environmental progress.” © Demain la Terre Two new members:…

Namibian farm without power, risking produce worth millions

The Naute Irrigation Scheme in the //Kharas region in Namibia has been without electricity for the past week, exposing date produce worth millions to the risk of rotting in…

Kashmir Valley expects good walnut harvest for 2023

Walnut harvesting is on in the Valley and growers are hopeful of good walnut season this year. Over 98 percent of India's total walnut produce comes from J&K. Three types of…

Hungarian walnut season started with average 2023 season expected

Hungary’s 2023 walnut season is off to a good start with an average season expected says Máté Tömösváry, from the co-operative Balaton-ker-Tész: “We have just started the walnuts harvesting and expect an average season with apples and some pears being harvested too.” He says this year’s milder summer across…

Georgian Mkisa company has harvested its almond orchards for the first time this year

Mkisa represents the Georgian agro-sector, which develops almond and blueberry crops in different parts of Georgia. The company harvested the first crop of almonds this year,…

Tanzania’s vice-president urges Africa to boost domestic market for cashews

Tanzania’s vice-president Dr Philip Mpango has called on African countries to boost local consumption of cashew nuts and their by-products and tap into the enormous…

Hazelnuts might be emerging crop for growers in the Midwest

According to a video, recently released by a leading source of research, industry development and outreach education on hazelnuts, the Upper Midwest Hazelnut Development…

Chilean walnut production estimated to increase by 3.1 percent in MY 2023/24

In marketing year (MY) 2023/24, walnut production is estimated to increase by 3.1 percent and reach 198,000 metric tons (MT). Area planted maintains an increasing trend due to high international demand for walnuts. Exports will reach 195,500 MT (in-shell basis), which represents a 2.9 percent increase…

Grenoble walnut kernels want a PDO to win over young consumers

The Grenoble Walnut PDO currently only covers walnuts in shell, but the Interprofessional Committee of the Grenoble Walnut (CING) wants to make the kernel a PDO as well. This is “our project for 2024,” explains Arnaud Rivière, president of CING. “We will submit an application to the National Institute…

USDA expects Turkey to produce 600,000 tons of hazelnuts in 2023/24

The USDA recently published its 2023/24 hazelnut production estimate for Turkey, pegging the size of the crop at 600,000 tons. This is less than Mintec heard from unofficial…

As cashew exports thrive, Vinacas warns to guarantee food safety element

The Vietnam Cashew Association (Vinacas) has advised firms to pay attention to ensuring quality and food safety to avoid unnecessary export-related risks. Vinacas Chairman…

"Italy imports 80% of its walnut consumption"

"The walnut market (analysis of Areté data) occupies the second place by production and consumption after almonds," reported expert Simona Lamorte (senior market analyst Areté Agrifood) during last week's Giornata della Noce in Forlì. Click here for the photo album! "The European Union is a net importer…

Georgian Walnut Enterprise has expanded walnut processing in Georgia

Georgian Walnut Enterprise has expanded walnut processing in Georgia. According to the company’s founder, Giorgi Meskhidze, a line for drying nuts and storage facilities was…

Dates get spicy with a kick

Natural Delights is ready with a blend of sweet and spicy flavors for this year’s Global Produce and Floral Show in Anaheim. The Medjool date grower and shipper will host a full-day chef tasting menu, offer samples of its latest Medjool Date Strips with Tajín and present merchandising displays designed to elevate Medjool date…

Mintec

Strong September almond shipments expected from the US

Market participants surveyed by Mintec in the first week of October were expecting strong shipments ahead of the release of the September position report on 12th October. Estimates for the September shipment figure were reported in the range of 200-240 million pounds, with most respondents returning…

High-density scheme might rejuvenate Kashmir walnut industry

A high-density plantation scheme introduced by the government in March 2021 might be a game-changer for Kashmir’s walnut industry, which has seen declining revenues for years…

Pakistan bans export of hundreds of items to Afghanistan, including nuts and fresh fruits

The Ministry of Commerce has banned the export of 212 items to Afghanistan under the Transit Trade Agreement. It seems that 17 types of clothes, all types of vehicle tires,…

The walnut harvest has begun in Georgia: what should producers expect?

Walnut harvesting has begun in Georgia. Despite significant precipitation, the harvest will continue as planned, EastFruit reports. According to the founder of the Anigozi…

Walnuts have many healthy advantages

The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans highlighted that nuts like walnuts should be included in the diets of adults and kids alike due to their stellar nutrient…

Quality and prices of Daikondi almonds down this year

Some sources out of Afghanistan’s central Daikondi province claim that local almonds have faced dwindling market condition this year. The linked the stagnating market…

"Iranian dates volumes 10% higher than last season"

The harvesting of dates in Iran is progressing in good conditions, with volumes expected to exceed those of last season, according to Hussein Vasei, export manager at Amoot Iranian. Vasei says, "The dates harvesting season in Iran is currently underway and will continue until mid-autumn. Due to favorable…

Meet the food innovator championing ingredient-style macadamias

When food innovator and value-adding expert Stuart Picken sees a challenge, it’s fair to say he’s driven to create a solution that benefits everyone involved. It’s this, coupled with a highly curious mind, that led the former lawyer and chef to establish a contract manufacturing business that specialises…

USDA

'Commercial production of in-shell walnuts to remain unchanged from last year MY 2023/24'

Experts forecast that China’s commercial production of in-shell walnuts will remain unchanged from the previous year at 1.4 MMT in MY 2023/24. Cold winter temperatures in Xinjiang damaged the almond crop this year. FAS China forecasts almond production will drop sharply to 5,000 MT. Despite a slowed…

Hungary witnesses abundant walnut and apple crop

Hungarian walnut growers are hoping for a good harvest this year, with a significant improvement in both quantity and quality expected after last year’s drought. A good apple…

USDA amending the Federal Marketing Order for California almonds

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today a final rule amending the handling regulations for the federal marketing order for almonds grown in California. The…

USDA

USDA forecasts almond, apple, apricot, grape, pear, sweet cherry and walnut production up

The 2023/24 season has begun for many fruit and tree nuts. USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) forecast almond, apple, apricot, grape, pear, sweet cherry, and walnut production up while peach, tart cherry, and cranberry production are expected to decrease. Good spring weather in 2023…

Sunraysia company agrees to pay back underpaid workers more than $500,000

After underpaying workers for five years, one of Australia's largest almond growers and processors has agreed to pay back more than $500,000. Brownport Almonds underpaid…

Namibian date exports come out at N$25.8 million

Dates were responsible for the main export earnings of Namibian horticultural products at N$25.8 million. They were followed by tomatoes and vegetable seeds reporting N$3.3…

"Dried, unsulphured apricots increasingly in demand"

This week, the Dutch company Tovano received the new crop of dried apricots from Turkey. "They're of excellent quality, but available volumes are limited," says Richard Strijbis. That decreased volume is partly due to the earthquake. "The growing area is right alongside that area, so the infrastructure…

High prices for pistacchio di Bronte DOP

This year, the harvesting of pistachios from Bronte started late and yields are not standard, which means production prices skyrocketed with an unavoidable effect on the market. FreshPlaza has talked about it with Alfio Paparo, producer and member of the BoD of Consorzio del Pistacchio di Bronte DOP. Harvesting…

USDA

“Off-year” will push Turkish pistachio production down in MY 2023/24

The “off-year” for production will push Turkey’s pistachio production lower in Marketing Year (MY) 2023/24. The production of almonds and walnuts is forecast slightly higher but hazelnut production is expected to go down. Even though domestic tree nuts production continues to grow, Turkey is projected to…

Hazelnut prices soar as Turkish sources downplay harvest expectations

The Mintec Benchmark Prices for Turkish hazelnuts, Levant quality 11/13mm, soared 24% in the four weeks to 20th September, to $790/100kg (CFR Northwest Europe) due to supply…

"We are at the peak of Barhi dates harvest"

The Egyptian dates season is progressing with the harvest of the Barhi variety after the Medjool dates began the campaign. Aya Montasser, export manager at Fresh Yard, comments on the Barhi campaign. Aya said, "Barhi Harvest is going well, we started in August and expect peak volumes from September to…

USDA

EU-27 imported $6.8 billion in tree nuts from the world in 2022

In 2022, the European Union (EU)-27 imported $6.8 billion in tree nuts from the world. The EU remains a net importer of tree nuts for all products since demand highly exceeds domestic production. The United States is the largest EU-27 tree nuts supplier, accounting for 39 percent of total imports, with…

Sudan date sector struggles in an economy, decimated by war

Sudan is the world's seventh-largest producer of dates, growing more than 460,000 tons per year. However, prices have collapsed in Sudan’s date industry, the latest economic…

Walnut harvesting in Moldova will begin later and may be delayed

In most regions of Moldova, harvesting of walnuts of early varieties has begun (mainly local selection – “Peschansky”, “Kazaku”, etc.). Specialists from the Union of…

Demand for organic Lebanese apples and nuts exceeds supply

The Lebanese organic market has dropped since the latest crises, yet there are opportunities for organic growers thanks to Lebanon's proximity to a relatively large, wealthy purchasing base in the Gulf states. Agreen Organics exports a wide range of organic products, fresh or processed, plant or animal,…

Is regenerative organic agriculture the new trend?

Farming beyond sustainable, that is how regenerative organic agriculture is described. It is a collection of practices that focus on regenerating soil health and the full farm ecosystem that have been devastated by growing food through industrial methods, according to the Regenerative Organic Alliance.…

Organic walnuts from Ukraine

The long and widely established tradition of sustainable and organic cultivation of walnuts by Ukrainian families, favored by ideal climatic conditions, has made Ukraine the largest producer of walnuts in Europe, without resorting to large-scale commercial orchards. "Ninety-nine percent of our crop comes from private gardens…

Indian government hopes to allay concern over cut 'retaliatory' duty on US apples

India’s recent move to remove additional ‘retaliatory’ duty on eight products from the United States, including apples and walnuts, would not have any negative impact on the…

Vietnamese cashew exports hit record high of over US$300 million in August

Vietnam’s cashew exports in August alone reached a new record high of 60,580 tons worth US$333.83 million, according to figures released the Ministry of Industry and Trade.…

Mediterranean diet with walnuts during pregnancy might improve fetal neurodevelopment

According to a recently published study implies that the women in the study who followed the Mediterranean diet, which included extra virgin olive oil and walnuts, during…

Marrone di Castel del Rio Igp chestnuts: harvesting to start on October 10th

The presence of the gall wasp since 2011 and the drought of the past two years, together with the flood of May 2023, have caused problems for the cultivation of the prestigious Marrone di Castel del Rio Igp. "Production in our chestnut groves has been dropping since 2011 due to the presence of the gall…

European countries prefer Turkish products in hazelnut, fig, and grape exports

Some claim that many countries trading in Europe, including Germany, the UK and Italy, prefer the Turkish market as a source of agricultural products. Providing several…

Brazilian pecan growers unite to expand exports and keep prices stable

Since pecan nut producers in Rio Grande do Sul started meeting the requirements needed for export, the sector has increasingly tried to unite over the goal of selling abroad.…

"Marketers are prioritizing California almonds over Spanish almonds"

According to the Union of Farmers and Livestock Unions (Unión de Uniones), almond imports from the United States are unjustifiably gaining more and more ground, damaging local Spanish productions. The Unión de Uniones stressed that the trade balance of the product "continues to show a trend of increasing…

"I collected 15 hectares of almonds in one week with the help of machines"

Viterbo-based almond grower Fabio Mariotti recently tried mechanized harvesting using an arm shaker and a brush harvester. I completed the harvest at the start of the week with the help of one worker. Over 7 days, I collected fruit from 15 hectares of almond groves, averaging around 4.5 tons per hectare of…

Perspective directions for the export of Ukrainian nuts

Ukrainian nuts were cheaper due to high harvest and export challenges in September 2023. A kilogram of walnuts now costs around 4.77 EUR, compared to 5.64 EUR in September…

French walnut sector in crisis

With an exceptional 2022 harvest and the crisis in purchasing power, the Walnut of Grenoble PDO is experiencing difficulties. Arnaud Rivière, president of the Interprofessional Committee of the Walnut of Grenoble (CING) - which groups together 720 producers and 17 marketing operators, including 2 cooperatives - shared with…

Indian duty of 50% and 100% continues to be applicable on US apples and walnuts

With the decision to resolve six outstanding World Trade Organisation (WTO) disputes between the US and India through Mutually Agreed Solutions in June 2023, India has…

Shares in Select Harvest up by 9.2%; future looks bright

The shares of Australia’s second-largest almond grower, Select Harvests, are up by 9.2%, trading at $4.40 per share today as the company released its 2024 crop and market update to investors. After a tough 2022 and the first half of this year, the company battled low-quality almond crops and volumes. Of…

Australian agri exports grow to $80 bln thanks to higher-than-average rainfall

According to a recent report, Australian agricultural exports have grown by $12.5 bln to $80 bln due to higher-than-average rainfall and high commodity prices. The Rural…

Australian macadamia crop 2023: Lower volumes but excellent quality forecast

The Australian Macadamia Society has announced that the forecast for the 2023 Australian macadamia crop has been revised down from 53,160 tons in-shell to 48,500 tons in-shell…

Almond crop California could be the third largest on record

California’s almond crop is forecast up this year, potentially becoming the third largest on record. USDA agricultural economist Catherine Weber stated: “California’s 2023…

Deal with India boosts Australian macadamia growers

Australian macadamias will become available to Indian consumers, as a first significant shipment of these nuts is on its way. With India's import tariffs on macadamia nuts…

Mintec

Inshell delays expected to weigh on August almond shipments

Market participants surveyed by Mintec in the first week of September had a varied picture of August shipments ahead of the release of the August position report on 12th September. Estimates for the August shipment figure were reported in the range of 180-230 million pounds, with most respondents…

Competition from overseas is destroying Italian and European almond cultivation

"The Italian almond production has reached a point of no return," reports Ignazio Vassallo, president of Associazione Siciliana Frutti in Guscio as he complains about the abundant presence of produce from California all over Europe. Ignazio Vassallo "Thousands of producers from Sicily, Puglia and other…

Import of dried and fresh fruits via Attari-Wagah border has doubled in 14 days

The import of dry fruits and fresh fruits through the integrated check-post at the Attari-Wagah border has doubled during the past fortnight. Ahead of the winter season, the…