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GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW BLUEBERRIES

Job Board | Newly added vacancies

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"2024 has been marked by high volatility in the pitaya market"

Xavier Cárdenas, Agrosoft

Technological advances boosting agricultural exports

Brazil's citrus sector faces uncertainty as orange production declines

"Algeria boycotts Ecuadorian bananas over support for Morocco's Sahara claim"

Mexican tomato production picks up

Minas Gerais diversifies agriculture with promising apple cultivation initiative

Tony Derwael (Bel'Export):

"I expect everyone will need to sell their pears in a timely manner"

Good volume but smaller sizing on California organic citrus

Justin Mudge – Chiltern Farms

"Many blueberry growers in the Western Cape will quit"

Sector | Vegetables

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Francisco Mas, Sales Director of Frutas y Hortalizas Mas Serrano:

"The supply of quality artichokes has been greatly reduced by frosts and prices have skyrocketed"

Cold temperatures lighten lettuce supply from desert-growing regions

“Long type peppers fetch the highest prices”
Tom Desmet (Desmet Agro):

"With Poland and France joining Spain in the leek market, prices are looking promising"
Thorsten Scherz/BEHR AG
Behr AG celebrates its 130th birthday in Berlin:

"Production is and always has been at the heart of our company"

Kaliningrad residents face winter and spring vegetable shortages

Growing the market for snack cucumbers

Sector | Bananas

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Woman's "Banana Etiquette" tutorial sparks 12 mln views

Cameroon’s banana exports rise 1.8% in 2024, driven by new market player
Banana prices UK

Guatemala's commodity prices drop 14%, Panama down 5%, Colombia up 10%

José Antonio Hidalgo elected co-president of World Banana Forum, pushes for fair banana pricing
Intensive annual crop extensions coming soon for OP Alba Bio

Bananas grow in Sicilian greenhouses

India targets Russia for banana exports, aims for $1 billion milestone through sea routes

Philippines-South Korea FTA cuts banana export tariffs, saving $189 million over five years

Sector | Potatoes and Onions

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Uncertain how long supplies of North Carolina sweet potatoes will last

Belize onion farmers call for import restrictions and market support

Bangladesh faces surplus potato production as prices drop and costs rise

Kenya's potato industry struggles with seed quality and funding challenges

FAOSTAT 2024: Global potato production rises despite shrinking harvested area

Dr. Hugo Campos of CIP honored as foreign fellow by India’s agricultural academy
Simon Vale - Balle Bros

"The FTA between the EU and NZ has removed the 9.6% import duty, making NZ onions more attractive to importers"

Sector | Exotic/Tropical fruit & vegetables

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Moroccan avocado industry strengthens integration efforts
ai

Luxury $156 avocado Toast sparked debate

Air freight cost 'a real drag' on export potential Ghanaian passionfruit and papaya

How to determine the height of your palms

Mexico will export 110,000 tons of avocado for Super Bowl
Asociación Española de Tropicales

Spain expects to produce more than 70,000 tons of avocado this season

USDA approves Mexican soursop exports to the U.S.

Sector | Company news

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Canadian nursery and berry grower form partnership to support growth

Nature Fresh announces minority investment by Manulife Investment Management

Hazera and BeeHero partner to improve pollination in seed production

Social impact program expands sustainability initiative

Greenyard USA/ Seald Sweet welcomes new sourcing and grower liaison

Clarifruit rebrands as Clarifresh and launches self-onboarding platform for SMB market

Blueberry breeder announces leadership transitions

Sector | Greenhouse

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Addressing food insecurity by donating 3 million lbs. of produce annually

Membrane packaging extends shelf-life of cucumbers and reduces weight loss

Balancing energy innovation with agricultural production

New 1.5 million square foot greenhouse opens in Lorena, Texas

First Canadian greenhouse grower receives B Corp. certification

Growth continues in greenhouse cucumber category

Product security benefits lit cucumber cultivation

Sector | Logistics

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Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd cautious on Red Sea operations despite ceasefire
World Container Index - 16 Jan

Drewry’s World Container Index decreased 3% to $3,855 per 40ft container this week
World Container Index - 09 Jan

Drewry’s World Container Index increased 2% to $3,986 per 40ft container this week

Chinese New Year 2025 and new carrier alliances set to disrupt supply chains
Port strike averted

ILA and USMX announce tentative agreement on new contract
Pat Compres comments on pending U.S. port strike

“It’s better to hope for the best and plan for the worst”

Dockworkers and port owners debate automation to avert potential strike

Sector | Machinery

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New automated tomato transplanter introduced
Top Control (Italy)

Delivery of the 10,000th automatic combination weigher
PND launches a new tool for the fresh-cut sector

New pineapple slicing machine
Bastiaan Krijger, KV Techniek:

“The robot takes mere minutes to switch and clean onion tipper’s sieves”
BFM Italy

Lawn mower with integrated mulcher and trimmer for better management of orchards

"A constant need to innovate in automation and efficiency for processing industry"
Michel Remijn, RMA Techniek, about grading potatoes using 3D cameras:

“A 3D camera gets higher yields from the same batch; we want to see how much higher”

Sector | General fresh produce

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U.S. fresh produce imports supply 59% of fruit and 35% of vegetable availability

US: Times Square lit up by colors of European fruits and vegetables

High freight costs and competition threaten Kenya's horticultural exports

Kenya and UAE to collaborate on railway expansion, trade, and agricultural investment

South Africa inquiry finds retailer mark-ups and barriers for small farmers in fresh produce market

University of Georgia researchers explore essential oils to improve organic produce safety and shelf life
Due to deforestation

Monkeys raid fruit and vegetable vendors

Sector | Management

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Sun World announces Bernardo Calvo as CEO and David Marguleas as executive chair

Phytech and Rivulis join forces to deliver real-time irrigation tech to 18,000 farms worldwide

Calavo Growers reports $661.5M in 2024 sales, adjusts focus after Fresh Cut divestiture

Weak rupee raises import costs, boosts export prospects for India's greenhouse sector
March 2025

Agri and water trade missions will take place in parallel with royal state visit to Kenya
Steven Martina new COO

SanLucar expands top management team

Christoph Buchner leaves Westfalia Fruit Group after 14 years

Sector | Miscellaneous

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INRAE

The Samurai wasp: A new ally against the diabolical bedbug?

Nico van Vliet waves goodbye and looks back at his career
Comavit produces 2.5 million poles per year

An effective protection system relies on strong poles and precise design

Spanish agricultural organizations reject the EU-Mercosur agreement
Linda Van den Bulck, Belgian Saffron:

"Horribly bad spring heralded volatile Belgian saffron harvest"

More economical steaming and better cleaning in-house at grower's premises
Ethan Luth, Bayer:

"Breeders to help growers with challenges as energy, water and disease pressure"

Sector | Fruit

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Gustav Claassen – Proudly Produce

New-season apples soon to supplement strong nectarine crop

Contagious tomato virus detected in Victorian glasshouse after seedling transfer

"The apple was chosen as the symbol of the Polish presidency of the EU council"

South African table grape exports surge 39% amid improved port efficiency

Planasa appoints Hans Liekens to drive berry sector growth
Ca'nova increases its Spanish organic raspberry volumes

"Last year, we decided not to grow organic strawberries because the retail price wasn't worth it"

Ecuador expands its export offer: blueberries for Dubai

Sector | Herbs

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Low production and high demand for Egyptian moringa
Euro Gijbels

"Storm impacted parsley, but hit mint and coriander hardest"
Raymond van der Burgh, Europe Retail Packing:

“This winter, imported herbs prices have sky-rocketed”
Filippo Carrara from Parma has gone from 10 to 150 hectares in 7 years

The king of basil: 28 years old and 50 hectares
Anthony De Ieso - Thorndon Park Produce

Grower increases rosmary acreage to fill shortages
Europe Retail Packaging:

“Fresh herb market heading into a roller coaster ride this winter, with challenges beyond expectations”

Fresh herb demand starting to pick up

Sector | Agenda

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Nominations open for TIPA's first annual awards program, celebrating women in produce
April 8-10, 2025

Registration for 100th CPMA convention and trade show is now open
We will return on January 2nd

Happy Christmas from the FreshPlaza team!
Highlights from Moldova’s 10th Fruit Conference

Moldovan fruit growers investing in new varieties, advanced equipment, and packaging solutions

Photo report: Food Africa 2024 in Cairo, Egypt
Photo report

Challenges for the future take center stage at Interpom 2024
Excellent feedback from exhibitors

Photo report Interpoma 2024

Sector | Citrus

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There is a decrease in supply for late varieties

Comune clementines: the past few weeks have seen sustained prices in the field and on the market
Ai

Lime-squeezing incident leads to months-long chemical burn
Stuttgart Wholesale Market:

"Strong demand for leaf clementines of the Süsse Susi brand"

Texas grapefruit movement ahead compared to 2024
"Although these varieties are well known and marketed in Europe, they still have a long way to go in Spain"

Red Bouquet, Anecoop's new project for red oranges

Miura Partners prepares the sale of Citri&Co

Brazil's orange juice exports drop 19.7% as revenues rise 42.7% amid supply shortages

Sector | Organic

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Jessica Cornely, Biofrais

"There is a very strong demand for 'detox' vegetables"

"We're too big for the local market, yet too small to export"
Gunther De Vadder, BelOrta:

"Export market for organic pears yet to take off"

California drives U.S. organic growth amid challenges in policy, pricing, and research

"We will export organic pumpkins to the Netherlands for the first time"

"India's organic fresh produce market grows at 18% annually, driven by demand and exports

Successful organic produce trials in the Moroccan Brachoua region

Sector | Health

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Scientists develop electric lollipop to simulate fruit flavors

Carrots show promise in managing type 2 diabetes, Danish study finds

Pineapple identified as a natural aid for better sleep and overall health by Thai universities
dreamstime

Study links higher fruit and vegetable intake to reduced depression in adults over 45

Beetroot buff Albert Stiles turns 100, credits longevity to root veggie

Capsaicin shows promise in enhancing mesothelioma treatment, study finds

Study shows almonds may enhance post-exercise recovery

Sector | IT

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Microsoft and AgriPilot.ai collaborate to boost AI-driven farming solutions in India

Researchers from the Basque Country developed a robot to harvest strawberries
OneThird presents avocado scanner at Tech for Retail, in partnership with Ida

"The lifespan of each product is essential in the algorithms we develop"

Moroccan ERP for simultaneous management of farms and packing houses
Lualtek

Sensors 4.0 for saving on fertigation
© Nattstudio | Dreamstime.com

"Nothing scarier than a cyber attack during your busiest season"

"Our disposable temperature and humidity data logger has received extensive inquiries at Fruit Attraction expo"

Sector | Innovations

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Plant-based post-harvest solutions make debut
Nitrosfera Project, coordinated by Proexport

Incorporating microorganisms to improve soil fertilization and reduce nitrates
AgriFrequencies – Jan du Plessis

A quantum of solace in the war on pests
Duwan Jackson - DFM Technologies

Soil conditions and irrigation affected by a changing climate
Dr Vernon M. Steyn - Insect Science

Mind control over insects

Polybee introduces drone-powered pollination to boost horticulture efficiency

Taiwan's satellite tech fights banana fungus in Guatemala and Belize

Sector | Processed fruit and vegetables

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Mattia Giudice, export manager of Arc en Ciel

Scientific research in support of healthy organic productions
Bavaria:

"Sauerkraut prices up 8 per cent on last year's level"
Agro Debeuckelaere:

“This potato wholesaler has ventured into artisanal chip production”
PND: Two new processing lines destined for Arabia

Fresh-cut pineapple is increasingly in demand on international markets
Finagricola

The orange plum tomatoes conquer the foreign markets

Pure Harvest announces launch of its own tomato sauces

"We airfreight over 25 tons of cut-fruit per day from South Africa to the UK”

Sector | Cooling

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Lineage expands Australian operations with Fremantle City Coldstores acquisition

Pakistan's cold storage sector threatened by commercial tariff classification

Seacube and Greensee partner to change refrigerated transport solutions

Greenbushes cold storage facility boosts Eastern Cape agriculture and exports

North Carolina pilot reduces cabbage shipping costs with electric refrigeration

Refrigeration giant Americold closes 's-Gravenzande branch

"Self-charging electric refrigeration trailer system cuts emissions by 90%"

Sector | Food safety

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Major concerns surrounding Albert Heijn blueberry recall

Oriental fruit fly discovery in Auckland prompts biosecurity measures to protect horticulture

Egypt intensifies food safety inspections, issuing over 2,000 export permits in one week

Texas A&M researchers tackle zebra chip disease with new approach to reduce pesticide use

Dominican Republic eradicates Mediterranean fruit fly with sterile insect technique

Recalls issued for cucumbers, greens, and kale kits due to contamination risks

Ausveg updates on $5M national response to tomato brown rugose fruit virus in South Australia

Sector | Nuts and dried fruits

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Almond industry urged to strengthen trade advocacy amid shifting U.S. policies

Ofi's 2023 report showcases global progress in nut sustainability and community impact

Brazil's rising pistachio demand sparks domestic cultivation pilot in Ceará by 2027

End-of-year festivities boosted Medjool sales

"We will prioritize the Moroccan market this Ramadan"

US and Iran report 760,000-ton pistachio supply for 2024, with 30% consumed in first quarter

Import of dried vegetables from Uzbekistan to Kyrgyzstan increases by 61%

Sector | Packaging and Labelling

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“The packaging market for fresh products is currently undergoing a significant transformation"
"Successful implementation of electronic shelf labels (ESL) at De Mooij Amsterdam"

"Digital price cards enhance efficiency and save time"

Latin America's pulp and paper market driven by packaging demand and economic shifts
Remarks by Rocco De Lucia from Siropack

"Let's talk about packaging and the fruit and vegetable sector"

Advancing sustainable fruit exports from Brazil to China with new protocol and packaging solutions

Graphic Packaging and Elaborados Naturales launch sustainable PaperSeal shape tray in Spain

“Our packaging keeps bananas fresh for longer and is biodegradable”

Sector | Retail

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Dreamstime
ONS: Supermarkets and food stores had their worst Christmas since 2013

Sainsbury’s has celebrated the opening of its first new store of 2025
Unicoop Tirreno and Coop Centro Italia are merging

Union Coop: Approximately 27,000 tons of fruits and vegetables sold in 2024
Dreamstime
Booths: Fruit and veg sales were up more than 10%

One Stop: The Fruities & Veggies project
Dreamstime
As part of new fruit and veg pledge: Asda donates 1mln meals

Sainsbury’s: Paper packaging across its own-brand Ripe & Ready Avocados twin pack
Dreamstime

SPAR Gran Canaria rolls out online sales platform
Dreamstime

Shoppers’ late festive dash gives Sainsbury’s lift as staff get 5% pay rise
Dreamstime
SPAR Slovenia is investing €40mln to expand its fresh produce warehouse in Ljubljana

Sales of fruit and vegetables ‘skyrocketed’ at REMA 1000 stores in Norway

Sector | Global Market

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GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW ORANGES

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW PEARS

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW GRAPES

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW GARLIC

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW PAPAYAS

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW TOMATOES

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW MANGOES

Sector | Climate

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Fires don’t have impact on produce supply chain

Los Angeles County braces for strong winds

Produce shipments continue to move amidst fires affecting Los Angeles County

Catastrophic wildfires in Southern California burn out of control

Logistics contending with major U.S. storm

Florida agricultural production losses top an estimated $190M post Hurricane Milton

Jamaica invests $182M to rehabilitate 2,819 hectares of farmland after hurricanes Beryl and Rafael

Florida agriculture rebounds after Hurricane Milton with strong winter crop outlook

Sector | Cartoons

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Why Christmas trees were once decorated with apples

Durian-themed hotel in Malaysia opened
AI

Suffolk tomato factory lights mistaken for northern lights
AI

What is vomit fruit, and is it really that bad?
AI

Osaka zookeeper accused of stealing animal food
AI

Pizza Hut introduces tomato wine
AI

Man identified by orange juice sentenced for burglary