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Top 5 - yesterday
- "Climate change is the new reality for Moroccan agriculture"
- The limits of a plastic covering in a weak supply chain
- California underway with late but great quality stone fruit
- "At the end of the road, yellow onion prices shoot up again after all"
- "The mango season in central and northern Senegal is starting slow"
Top 5 - last week
- UK and Europe “screaming for citrus” but still more rain for South Africa
- Large volumes of Vietnamese Kanyao durians on the market, Thai mangosteen in short supply with rising prices
- "2023 avocado season off to a good start"
- “Right now, everybody in the US is desperate for grapes”
- Grape farming firms among Namibia’s fastest-growing companies in 2023
Top 5 - last month
- Risk of heart disease might drop significantly by drinking these fruit juices
- South African strawberry aficionados in for a Woolworths treat
- Japanese farmer produces mangoes that sell for $230 each
- UK and Europe “screaming for citrus” but still more rain for South Africa
- Large volumes of Vietnamese Kanyao durians on the market, Thai mangosteen in short supply with rising prices
Company news

Zespri’s 2022/23 financial results reflect challenging season
Zespri’s 2022/23 financial results reflect a challenging period for the kiwifruit industry, with grower returns down on the back of fruit quality issues that have primarily been driven by the industry’s severe labour shortage, along with cost increases and supply chain challenges. The scale of quality costs,…

T&G commissions state-of-the-art automated apple packhouse
T&G Global has commissioned one of the largest apple packhouses in the Southern Hemisphere at its Whakatū site in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand. The highly automated facility, with 1.7 hectares of roof space, will be able to pack more than 125 million kilograms of apples per season once its two…
First-quarter 2023 financial results
'CMA CGM Group first-quarter results are extremely solid'
The Board of Directors of the CMA CGM Group, a global player in sea, land, air and logistics solutions, has reviewed the financial statements for the first quarter of 2023. Commenting on…

Dole plc set to join Russell 3000 and Russell 2000 indexes
Dole plc is set to join the broad-market Russell 3000® Index and the small-cap Russell 2000® Index at the conclusion of the 2023 Russell indexes annual reconstitution,…

Knuspr photo report: 26.2 percent share of fresh products in 12,000 items
"In the fresh produce sector, we were the first in Europe to set up an Autostore Fresh facility"
The central warehouse of online delivery service Knuspr in Garching covers 10,000 m², together with the Autostore Fresh facility. Up to 7,000 boxes can be filled and delivered to customers daily via the Autostore facility. "For fresh produce, we work with two temperature zones, with one zone at 4 to 6…

IFPA produce manager award winners announced
For their commitment to fresh produce, innovative merchandising, community service and customer satisfaction, 15 produce managers have been recognized by the 2023 Retail Produce Managers Award Program from the International Fresh Produce Association. “The produce industry’s front line – produce managers –…

USDA restricts PACA violators in California and Texas
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has imposed sanctions on four produce businesses for failing to meet contractual obligations to the sellers of produce they purchased…

Eric Labbate, founder of Climate Control Systems, retires after 38 years
Today, Eric Labbate, founder of Climate Control Systems, retires after an unprecedented 38 years of service. "This is a momentous occasion for our organization as we come together to reflect upon the incredible journey of our founder and say goodbye to a trailblazing leader who has devoted a significant…

GroupDC acquires Hawita
The Hawita Group, based in Germany, Italy, and Latvia, has become part of Group De Ceuster. The integration aims to join forces within GroupDC's "Plant care" division and to take a leading role in making the sector more sustainable. GroupDC is a global player in organic and organo-mineral fertilizers as well as in organic crop protection…

US blueberry grower starts working with commercially reared bees
Bee Vectoring Technologies International has announced a company record-breaking sales order with one of the largest blueberry growers in the United States, who will integrate…

New communications manager for Ocean Mist Farms
Ocean Mist Farms, a grower and marketer of fresh artichokes in North America, is pleased to announce marketer Lori Bigras has joined the company as communications manager.…

Girteka on the road to becoming global company through Citi Bank partnership
Girteka, an asset-based logistics company in Europe, has announced a strategic partnership with Citibank Europe plc (Citi) to take its financial operations to the next level. The partnership will allow Girteka Group to streamline its financial transactions and operations with the help of Citi's advanced…

Zespri unlikely to list on NZX this year
It seems that kiwifruit marketer Zespri is unlikely to shift its listing to the New Zealand stock exchange this year. Last year, Zespri, now listed in the Unlisted Securities…

Ag tech firm expands produce fresh solutions in Brazil
AgroFresh Solutions Inc., a global agtech innovator that provides produce freshness solutions, and digital technologies that enhance the quality and extend the shelf life of fresh produce, announced today the expansion of its SmartFresh™ InBox in Brazil. SmartFresh InBox offers powerful protection in a small,…

Aurenzo Bagioni of Bagioni Technology
"It's been a terrible blow, but we're getting back on our feet."
Last week there were still 7 meters of water in the warehouse of Italy's Bagioni Technology, but yesterday much of it was gone. "We are almost ready to start the production again," says owner Aurenzo Bagioni, " in order to meet the orders of our Italian and foreign customers." This is what the courtyard of…

Food distributor acquires Chicago wholesaler
FreshEdge, a family of fresh food distribution companies backed by Wind Point Partners, acquired Panama Banana, a wholesaler and distributor of produce in the Chicago…

2023 Chef Invitational finalists announced
California Giant Berry Farms announced its People’s Choice winner and chef finalists of its 2023 Chef Invitational. The People’s Choice winner is: David McGurn, Performance Foodservice – Congee with Brulee Berries and Quick Berry Pickles Left to right: David McGurn, Dontre'al Haigler The finalists and their recipes are: Dontre'al Haigler, Denny’s…

Terra i Xufa will have access to European chains and IMG will become a Bio operator
Terra i Xufa partners with IMG to promote the sale of organic products
Terra i Xufa, a producer of quality organic food, and IMG, a marketer of agri-food at the European level, have signed an association agreement to join forces to promote the sale of organic products while expanding their network of customers, optimizing processes, and increasing the profitability of the…

Maritime UK appoints new Chief Executive Officer
Maritime UK, the umbrella organisation for the UK’s maritime sector, has appointed Chris Shirling-Rooke MBE as its new Chief Executive Officer. He will move over from Mersey…

Titan Farms expands team through additions and promotions
Titan Farms, grower, packer, and shipper of fresh peaches and vegetables is pleased to welcome James Sparks as its new Chief Financial Officer. Additionally, the company announces the recent promotions of Jason Rodgers and Ross Williams. “As cherished members of the ever-evolving Titan Farms family, we…

Canadian greenhouses report record-breaking harvests
JC Fresh and Orangeline Farms, located in Ontario, Canada, report record-breaking harvests. JC Fresh Farms produces a record 315,700 pounds of grape/medley tomatoes. Orangeline Farms produces a record of over 14,000 cases of sweet snack peppers. Both companies are part of Betterment Harvest. The record-setting…

New Covent Garden Market redevelopment programme:
Latest phase of redevelopment progressing nicely
The last three months have seen more significant and very visible progress in the Market’s redevelopment programme, according to Tony O’Reilly, CGMA’s Project Director. “The weather during February was cold, but dry and that allowed groundwork in preparation for the build of section B2 to continue apace…

ZIM reports financial results for the First Quarter of 2023
Reported revenues of $1.4 billion, net loss of $58 million
ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd., a global container liner shipping company, announced today its consolidated results for the three months ended March 31, 2023. First Quarter 2023 Highlights Net loss for the first quarter was $58 million (compared to net income of $1,711 million in the first quarter…

Wipal's integration into Van der Windt benefits synergy
"A load of potatoes there, and back with pallets"
It has been four and a half years since Van der Windt acquired the pallet and container business Wipal. These are both Dutch companies. Van der Windt's various branches have been active in potato and fodder trading and transport for many years. "A great combination," says sales manager Huub van Velden.…

Arrival of Xavier Unkovic as CEO of the Bonduelle Group
The Bonduelle Group announces the appointment of Xavier Unkovic as Chief Executive Officer of the Group. This appointment will take effect on June 1, 2023. Until that date,…
Kira Weißbach and Birgit Unterhuber from Markthallen München:
Photo report: "Markthallen München represents the food and general interest services that are provided here"
About 300,000 tons are loaded annually at the Munich wholesale market. Despite various challenges, import volumes fluctuated only marginally. "After we had to put up with some crises in recent years, the situation is now stabilizing again," says Kira Weißbach, manager at Markthallen München. "We will not…

Limgroup Experience Days 2023 gets 300+ visitors
Last week, the Limgroup held the third edition of its Limgroup Experience Days in the Netherlands. Wednesday, May 10 to Friday, May 12, were devoted to giving the public a behind-the-scenes look at the Limgroup range's latest innovations and the mutual exchange of knowledge and experience. On Wednesday and…

Two of Scotland’s longest established fresh produce organisations join forces to create Pease Bay Farms
Cupar-headquartered East of Scotland Growers Ltd (ESG) and R&K Drysdales Ltd (RKD) have joined forces to create Pease Bay Farms. This means that two of Scotland’s…

USDA launches organic INTEGRITY database trade partner module
On May 17, the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) expanded functionality for the USDA Organic INTEGRITY Database by launching a new Trade Partner Module. This new module is…

Fresh Impact Tours 2023 brings IFPA to members backyards
International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) held the first Fresh Impact Tour stop last week in Salinas, California, in partnership with host Taylor Farms. The tours bring…

fenaco
fenaco achieved highest net revenues since its foundation - O&G sales back to pre-Corona level"Shortage of skilled workers in Swiss catering industry boosts demand for convenience items"
In 2022, the fenaco cooperative achieved the highest net sales since its foundation with CHF 8.06 billion. At CHF 138.4 million and with a return on sales of 1.7 percent, the operating result (EBIT) is also convincing and, as expected, back at the level achieved before the extraordinary pandemic years.…
Knuspr event from 16 May
"Our goal is to offer more than 300 items from regional production this season"
On Tuesday, May 16, Knuspr invited members of the press to take a look behind the scenes and also introduced the regional producers. For around two years, customers in the Munich and Frankfurt areas have been able to order fresh produce via the online service. In doing so, the company specifically…

California table grape grower acquires, expanding growing and shipping capabilities
Four Star Fruit, grower of organic and conventional table grapes, recently acquired 1,100 acres of table grape vineyards and two modern distribution facilities near…

Sarah Frey appointed advisor to Chair of the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture
Sarah Frey, founder and CEO of Frey Farms and a best-selling author, has been appointed a member of U.S. Representative and House Committee on Agriculture Chair Glenn “GT”…

Canada’s Bill C-280 passed at second reading
The Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada (FVGC), the Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA), and the Fruit and Vegetable Dispute Resolution Corporation (DRC) are…
Photo report: A look into the new premises of Bio-Obst Augustin in Jork
"Our Demeter apple expertise and Palm's technical know-how are the foundation of this unique project"
On April 30, the Augustin company celebrated 33 years of organic cultivation on its own fruit farm in the heart of the Alte Land region, as well as the 25th anniversary of the marketing company Bio-Obst Augustin & Co. Parallel to these celebrations, the new premises including sorting and packing station…

Denmark: "Collaborating with chefs in Copenhagen boosts our image"
When possible, Danes prefer local, sustainably produced food. Add Copenhagen's luxury restaurants to that, and you have the ideal breeding ground for a company like Funga Farm: a small-scale urban farm that grows organic, fresh, high-quality specialty mushrooms and supplies them exclusively to about 20…

Ostrom Mushroom Farms to pay $3.4 million fine, resolving lawsuit
Ostrom Mushroom Farms, a major producer in the Pacific Northwest, will pay a $3.4 million fine for gender discrimination and other unfair and discriminatory practices. This…

Plant Factory
Turkey: 1500m2 vertical farm opened inside well-known shopping mall
Recently, Plant Factory, a Turkish vertical farm supplier, opened a 1500m2 vertical farm inside İstinyePark, a popular shopping mall based in İstanbul, located on the -5 floor. “It’s the first industrial-scale vertical farm in Turkey established inside a shopping mall and we’re super proud to play such a…

Fruidor Terroirs acquires Vivy Fruits and strengthens its position in the Loire Valley
On the 5th of May, Fruidor Terroirs signed the acquisition of Vivy Fruits, a French company based in the department of Maine-et-Loire. Specialized in vegetables from the Loire Valley, Vivy Fruits will strengthen Fruidor Terroirs' national strategy and its regional positions in western France. Founded in 1978,…

Orsero S.p.A consolidated Results as at 31 March 2023
Very good performance, with revenues up 8.6% and adjusted EBITDA up 25.4%
The Board of Directors of Orsero S.p.A. has approved the Consolidated Results as at 31 March 2023. Raffaella Orsero, CEO of Orsero, and Matteo Colombini, Co-CEO and CFO of Orsero commented: “The Group ends the first quarter of 2023 with an excellent performance slightly above expectations, essential the…
Hapag-Lloyd
Joerg Sonne appointed Senior Managing Director Region North Europe
Joerg Sonne will become Senior Managing Director Region North Europe, succeeding Martin Rolf, who will take over the position of Managing Director Human Resources. Sonne…

Port of Hamburg in a challenging environment
The problematic trend in the world economy is affecting Port of Hamburg throughput figures. As in other ports of Northern Europe, seaborne cargo throughput is falling, yet the…

Dole plc reports First Quarter 2023 financial results
First quarter revenue of $2.0 billion, an increase of 1.0%
Dole plc today released its financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Highlights for the three months ended March 31, 2023: Announced in January 2023 our agreement to sell our Fresh Vegetables division to Fresh Express, for gross proceeds of approximately $293.0 million. Following this…

Support for funding of I-19 interchange improvements near Nogales
Produce truck traffic will become more efficient and safer with the availability of funding for key interstate intersections along I-19 in Southern Arizona. Left to right: Lance Jungmeyer, FPAA president; Raquel Espinoza, FPAA chair-elect; Senator Rosanna Gabaldon; Nogales Mayor Jorge Maldonado; Santa…

US (AK): Vertically farmed produce available at import prices to remote communities
"I launched this organization to improve food security in remote Alaskan communities using controlled environment agriculture. The goal is to improve accessibility, affordability, and quality," says Colin McIntosh, founder of the vertically farming non-profit Outpost Agriculture. Colin McIntosh Outpost…

Coppola Patate of Montesarchio (Benevento) wins the Felix Industry Award 2023
An award to recognize good management, financial reliability and corporate sustainability
For its competitiveness in terms of management, its reliability in the financial field, and its sustainability with regard to an unquestionable balance sheet algorithm, the Campania-based company from Montesarchio (Benevento), ‘Coppola Patate’, has won the Industria Felix 2023 Award from the magazine of…

Grup Serban Holding acquires new farm in eastern Romania
Grup Serban Holding, a Romanian entrepreneurial company active in several fields of agriculture, has acquired a new farm in Bacau County, eastern Romania. The farm spans an…

New owner appoints new CEO and Board of Directors for Maersk Supply Service
As of May 15th 2023, A.P. Møller Holding A/S has acquired Maersk Supply Service A/S from A.P. Møller – Mærsk A/S, through closing of the transaction previously announced. In…

Cherries and apples
Honeybear Brands acquires two Washington facilities
Honeybear Brands®, furthering its growth and expansion initiatives, is pleased to announce its acquisition of two separate facilities in Pateros, Washington. The purchase of the Big River cherry facility will bolster the Honeybear Northern Washington operations by providing additional supply and…

Recipients of 2nd Annual Fresh Chefs Scholarship announced
The Southeast Produce Council is proud to announce the recipients of the 2nd annual occurrence of its newest scholarship program – SEPC Fresh Chefs: Salena Chairez, Samantha German and Tyler Custodio. Each recipient will receive one $1,500 scholarship toward their educational goals for the upcoming year.…

Fresh Del Monte invests in plant-based food firm
Fresh Del Monte, Inc., a vertically integrated producer, distributor and marketer of fresh-cut fruits and vegetables, and Vertage Inc., a chef-founded company producing foods…

New financing solution supports shipments from Latin America to Europe
ProducePay has announced the expansion of its Quick-Pay solution to now support trade with buyers in Europe via ocean freight from Latin America. ProducePay initially expanded its Quick-Pay offering in October 2022, specifically to help Latin American growers ship fresh produce by ocean freight to the…
Fruchthaus Hulsberg starts up new facilities and Freshcut production in Ganderkesee
"From the new location, we want to expand our delivery area in a staggered manner"
During the night of May 1 to 2, the first goods were scheduled and delivered at Fruchthaus Hulsberg's new location in Ganderkesee. The heart of the new facilities is the Freshcut production, where the latest plant technology is used to produce, among other things, sliced salads, onions and mushrooms for…

Patatas Hijolusa acquires 100% of Agrícola Villena
Patatas Hijolusa, a leading company in the cultivation, selection, packaging, and marketing of fresh potatoes in the Iberian Peninsula, acquired on May 8th 100% of Agrícola Villena, S.L., a company from Alicante that was founded in 1919 and is currently the largest processor by volume and marketing of…
Setting out to enhance shareholder returns
Kenya: Kakuzi Plc maintains focus on produce and markets diversity
According to the firm’s Board leadership, local superfoods grower and exporter Kakuzi Plc will maintain a products and markets diversity strategy geared at enhancing…

Großmarkt Wien
Vienna wholesale market: 2023 marked by construction activitiesObsthaus Haller plans sustainable fresh produce logistics center
After the successful anniversary year, 2022, the wholesale market Vienna will implement some renovation works in 2023. The focus will be on further sustainability measures: the GMW lighting system will be converted to LED. All street lighting will be controlled by brightness sensors in the future.…

GrowGeneration partners with Bridgetown Mushrooms to begin selling mycology supplies
GrowGeneration Corp. and GrowLife, Inc. have announced a multi-year partnership focused on the development and sale of mycology supplies, placing both companies among the…

International Women’s Achievement Award for Pat Compres
World Trade Center Miami recognized Patricia Compres, founding and managing member of Advance Customs Brokers & Consulting, as one of five outstanding women in the international trade arena. The International Women's Achievement Award was presented on May 5. The award honors women practitioners who have…

Entre Rios' citrus, blueberry, and pecan sector will participate in Fruit Attraction
Governor Gustavo Bordet met in Spain with the Argentine ambassador, Ricardo Alfonsin, and with the organizing entity of Fruit Attraction 2023, so that the companies from Entre…

HHLA faces challenging start to 2023
The start of 2023 was a challenging period for Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) in the face of ongoing geopolitical tensions, EU economic sanctions and slower economic growth. The HHLA Group’s revenue fell by 5.6 percent to € 364.7 million in the first three months of the year (previous year: €…

Dutch organic mushroom farm flings open new building's doors
On Saturday, the organic mushroom farm Nesco held an open day for invited guests in Sint Oedenrode. This Dutch company completed its new building - which can be called revolutionary - last year. Especially many local residents came to have a look. Click here to view the photo report. We spoke to Nesco's owner…

Greenhouse grower sponsors men’s healthy eating guide
Windset Farms® places a high value on health and wellness and is proud to sponsor A Guy’s Guide to Eating Healthy, created by the Canadian Men’s Health Foundation (CMHF). The…

Belgian companies join forces
The Belgian company Calsa has announced that from May 19, 20203, it will join forces with Vervaeke NV and Vervatrans NV. "This partnership means we can keep building a strong export group. We…

Cesena Agricultural Cooperative (CAC) announces €18 million in investments
A 75-year history of seeds
Founded in 1948, the Cesena Agricultural Cooperative CAC celebrated its 75th anniversary on Sunday, May 7, 2023, with its annual financial statement meeting. The event was held at the Cesena Fairgrounds. During the morning, members approved the best budget ever, which exceeded that of 2021: 47.48 million euros in sales (+9…
Effective 31 May
Managing Director Dr. Kristian Moeller of GLOBALG.A.P. to step down
Kristian Moeller, Managing Director of GLOBALG.A.P. c/o FoodPLUS GmbH, has announced he will step down from the role effective May 31. Dr. Moeller has been pursuing the…

Israel: Minister of Agriculture visits R&D breeding greenhouses
On Thursday, May 11, the Israeli Minister of Agriculture MK Avi Dichter paid a visit to the R&D greenhouses of the breeding company Hazera Seeds. "We had the honor of welcoming the Minister of Agriculture, MK Avi Dichter, and his ministry CEO, Mr. Oren Lavi, accompanied by members of the ministry's…

CPMA announces new 2023-2024 chair
The Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) is pleased to announce Colin Chapdelaine as the 2023-2024 CPMA Chair following his appointment during the board meeting held concurrently with the 2023 CPMA Convention and Trade Show. Chapdelaine brings to this role broad knowledge and extensive…

National Farmers’ Federation Horticulture Council announces Jolyon Burnett as next chairperson
The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) Horticulture Council has today announced Jolyon Burnett as its next chairperson. The much-anticipated appointment follows an exhaustive…

Almir Dedovic: "Besides importing avocado, we're a cross-dock center for Grand Frais' overseas imports"
Fine Fruit Company to move to new building next year
Fine Fruit Company has been in Poeldijk, the Netherlands, for two years. It is the Dutch branch of the French premium supermarket Grand Frais. "We're the perfect mix of a small organization's personal involvement and a large company's professionalism," says Almir Dedovic, who has handled the supermarket…

EDEKA / Thomas Schindel
Winner of the German Fruit Award 2023 is EDEKA Meyer in Rosengarten-NenndorfSix EDEKA merchants run Germany's best fruit and vegetable departments
For the 28th time, the trade magazine RUNDSCHAU for the food trade, together with FRUCHTHANDEL magazine, has searched for Germany's best fruit and vegetable departments and this year found six EDEKA merchants. No less than three stores convinced the expert jury at national level with their unique…

Camposol opens first blueberry packing plant in Sinaloa
Camposol has built its first blueberry packing plant in northern Sinaloa, Mexico, which will offer the service not only to the company but also to growers in the area who will be able to pack their products. Camposol's first blueberry packing plant in northern Sinaloa, Mexico. "The plant was initially…

New communications director for USApple
USApple announced Lynsee Gibbons as its new director of communications. Gibbons’ strong background in food advocacy work will help advance the association’s goals. “Lynsee is…

Tecno Group Lab
Inauguration of a new plant in Italy for the production of sorting machines
"Ours is a company born from the long experience of two families, Longo and Raimondo, who have been in the fruit and vegetable processing machine manufacturing industry since the early 1970s," said Domenico Longo of Tenco Group Lab, a manufacturing company that deals with the supply of professional…

For the collection and processing of fruit
Stronger cooperation between Florida and the Agrimola group
The cooperation between the Florida company and Agrimola group continues. In 2021, Florida soc. coop. agricola became part of Agrimola and, in 2022, it supplied it with 400 tons of summer fruit, which were then processed by the Agrimola facility. Luca Sassi and Giovanni Pasquariello Florida boasts 40 partners…

Update:
Produce companies make Canada’s Best Managed Companies list
Several Canadian companies, including Mastronardi Produce, Red Sun Farms, Oppy, and Fresh Direct Produce have been included in the annual Canada’s Best Managed Companies list. “The Best Managed program recognizes companies who combine strategic expertise and a culture of innovation with a steadfast…

Study finds positive impact of industry board on watermelon demand
The National Watermelon Promotion Board (NWPB) has released the findings of a new study, conducted along with research partner Armada Corporate Intelligence, Inc., that…

"World's first facility of this size"
BelOrta starts using new fully automated top fruit sorting warehouse
BelOrta's new sorting warehouse has been up and running for a few weeks. Its realization was delayed by several months, but the first apples and pears are now passing through the fully automatic optical sorting lines. "It's the world's first facility of its size with such technology. With the new…

Technology platform to reach more than 125,000 Tanzanian farmers
iProcure, a data-driven African agricultural input supply company, announced its expansion into Tanzania through its partnership with the Farm to Market Alliance (FtMA). FtMA is a consortium of public and private institutions that aims to increase income and strengthen the resilience of smallholders while…

Hnos. Fernández Lopez signs a commercial partnership with Cal Modest to strengthen its organic line
After several years of mutual commercial collaboration, Hnos. Fernández López SAU will start working on organic production with the Agroturisme Cal Modest SL company, located in Tornabous, Lleida, where it manages more than 110 hectares of organic fruit trees, including stone fruit and pome fruit.…

BayWa reports above-average earnings in first quarter of 2023
BayWa AG generated above-average earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) in the first quarter of the current financial year. Despite falling year on year to €91.8 million on…

Omer-Decugis & Cie: strong H1 2022/23, with revenue up 8.1% at €104.4 million
Omer-Decugis & Cie, an international group specialising in fresh and exotic fruit and vegetables, has published its revenue for H1 2022/23 (1 October 2022 to 31 March 2023)…

Hapag-Lloyd Q1 2023: good resilience in weaker market environment
Hapag-Lloyd has concluded the first quarter of 2023 with an EBITDA of USD 2.4 billion (EUR 2.2 billion). EBIT decreased to USD 1.9 billion (EUR 1.7 billion) compared to the same quarter last year, and the Group profit was also below the prior-year level, at USD 2 billion (EUR 1.9 billion). Transport…

Potatoes USA announces New Chairman to lead through 2023-2024
Potatoes USA, the marketing and promotion Board for the potato industry, elected new leadership during its Annual Meeting on March 15, 2023. Mike Carter of Rosholt, Wisconsin, was named Chairman of the Board, leading the organization and the Executive Committee through 2023-2024. Back row (left to right)…

HZPC UK strengthens position with acquisition of TLC Potatoes
Royal HZPC Group maintains forecasts
Potato breeder Royal HZPC Group maintains its forecasts for the 2022-2023 financial year. HZPC expects turnover to grow 11% from last year (then 352 million euros) with a gross margin of 66,5 million euros (last financial year 63.9 million euros). The potato breeder operates with a financial year from 1…

Leafood officially opens its 4000m2 vertical farm
The first Leafood farm has been officially opened in Vilnius, Lithuania. Celebrated by many invitees, CEO Valentinas Civinskas happily welcomed all guests to the company's vertical farm. Valentinas Civinskas. An investment of 6 million euros in total delivered the company an initial footprint of 4000m2 in…

Four Star Fruit appoints director of imports
Four Star Fruit, a table grape grower/shipper, is pleased to announce Justin Dixon as director of imports. The company is delighted to welcome Dixon, who will play a pivotal…

Save Foods commences first large scale commercial pilot with Mexican strawberry packer
Save Foods, Inc., an agri-food tech company specializing in eco-crop protection that helps to reduce food waste and ensure food safety while reducing the use of pesticides,…

Fyffes celebrates opening of new packhouse in Costa Rica
Fyffes has built a new packhouse at its farm Victoria in Sarapiqui de Heredia, Costa Rica. The modern design of the new packhouse minimizes bruising to the fruit, increases packaging capacity through multiple processing lines, reduces water consumption by up to 40 percent, and improves occupational…

Substantial drop in kiwifruit volumes this year may push Seeka towards operating loss
Seeka chief executive Michael Franks has stated that early season kiwifruit volumes packed by the company are well down on estimate. This is mainly due to climatic events,…

Grup Serban Holding signs deal with Intersnack in order to supply potatoes for Chio chips
Grup Serban Holding, a Romanian agriculture group listed on the Bucharest Stock Exchange’s AeRO market, has signed a contract with Intersnack to supply potatoes for the Chio…

IFPA names chief regulatory & food safety officer
The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) is thrilled to announce Natalie Dyenson as its new chief regulatory & food safety officer, effective July 17. Dyenson, who…

Produce distributor names new supply chain director
WPS is pleased to announce the appointment of Dirk Updike to the supply chain director role for Wholesale Produce Supply. In his new position, Updike will drive operational…

Charlotte Langerak-Visser appointed as CEO of Viscon Group
As of May 1, Charlotte Langerak-Visser, a third-generation family member, has been appointed as the new CEO of Viscon Group. Charlotte takes over the baton from René de Vos. René will continue in the role of advisor for a smooth transition and will remain involved in Viscon Group as a shareholder. A new season…

Diana McClean joins Mission Produce
Mission Produce has announced the appointment of Diana McClean as Director of Marketing and Communications. McClean is responsible for leading Mission’s marketing strategy to…
Pennsylvania
Donna Bella Farms in Berks County is closing; 161 people to be laid off
Donna Bella Farms in Berks County is closing and its leased mushroom growing operations will permanently cease operations. The company filed a WARN (Worker Adjustment and…

Grower-shipper donates $3 million to education center for migrant children
Lipman Family Farms is proud to have presented a check for $3 million to the Redlands Christian Migrant Association’s (RCMA) Immokalee Community Academy. The donation represents the single largest one-time private gift made to RCMA in its 47-year history. “We are delighted to support RCMA, a dedicated…
“This important transaction demonstrates the attractiveness of Chilean companies to foreign investors”
A Canadian pension fund launches takeover bid for 49.9% of Hortifrut
According to information published by Diario Financiero, the Canadian pension fund PSP Investments has initiated a Public Offer to Acquire Shares (OPA) with which it will seek…
Returns to proposed dividend of € 0.10 per share
Greenyard expects to reach €5.4bn sales by March 2026
Greenyard has decided to reinstate a dividend policy with a dividend of € 0.10 per share proposed for the full financial year, which ended in March 2023. This is based on its…
KitoZyme and Janssen PMP exclusive partnership -
Chitosan technology to be tested for post-harvest storage of fresh produce globally
KitoZyme, the developers of fungal chitosan and Janssen PMP, a division of Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, have signed an exclusive collaboration agreement to evaluate and develop…

Dorus Heeren, Heereco:
"New harvesting system allows us to continue offering our organic mushrooms at an attractive price in the future"
Organic mushroom farm Heereco has almost the entire mushroom chain under its own control. For instance, Heereco has its own organic composting facility, the company has three nurseries in Uden in Brabant, which collectively produce around 45-50 tonnes per week, and it also has its own certified (FSSC and…

Hubert Vortkamp GmbH
Andreas Vortkamp from transport company Hubert Vortkamp Ltd:"Retailers have very rigorous regulations these days when it comes to fresh produce logistics"
For 40 years now, Hubert Vortkamp Ltd has been involved in the transport of temperature-sensitive products, including fruit and vegetables. The company, which has locations in Ahaus and Billerbeck, has gradually expanded its range of services over the years, as Andreas Vortkamp, who is the second…

Produce advocates join Amazon’s Influencer Program on Alexa
The Produce Moms® announces its recent partnership with Amazon’s Influencer Program on Amazon’s Alexa platform. Alexa users can ask Alexa to show them recipes from The Produce…

Michigan apple and vegetable supplier expands reach with acquisition
Michigan-based BelleHarvest is proud to announce the recent acquisition of Valley View Company, LLC, which represents a significant milestone for the company. The company’s acquisition significantly increases its overall growing and storage capacity by 20 percent, providing the company with a greater…

Vice President Kamala Harris pays visit to Babylon Micro-Farms
Babylon Micro-Farms was paid a special visit by Vice President Kamala Harris herself and the Biden Administration. The Babylon team expressed their gratitude towards the entire Administration for supporting small businesses like themselves through grants and other initiatives. Kamala Harris seen at…
Quarter 3 FY 2022-2023 Revenue
Consumption slowdown weighs on Bonduelle revenue growth for Quarter 3
The Bonduelle Group's revenue stands for Quarter 3 of FY 2022-2023 at € 572.2 million, a change from the previous financial year of +4.7% based on reported figures and +3.6%…
Organto announces fiscal 2022 and fourth quarter financial results
Reconfirming previously provided 2023 sales and gross profit margin estimates
Organto Foods Inc., a provider of organic and value-added organic fruit and vegetable products today announced financial results for the year and quarter ended December 31,…
Alico, Inc. announces financial results for the second quarter and six months ended March 31, 2023
Alico balance sheet remains strong
Alico, Inc. has announced its financial results for the second quarter of fiscal year 2023 and the six months ended March 31, 2023, the highlights of which are as follows: Company…

Biobest signs letter to acquire BioWorks
Biobest has signed a non-binding letter of intent to acquire BioWorks, Inc., a Victor, NY-based manufacturer, and marketer of industry leading biopesticides. According to the company, the proposed acquisition aims to accelerate Biobest Group’s expansion into biopesticides using BioWorks’ innovative…

Greenyard and partners to promote healthy plant based diets
Greenyard, a global fruit and vegetable supplier, signed a five-year partnership with We’re Smart, the culinary reference for fruit and vegetables to promote sustainable healthy eating by using plants more in consumer diets. For the next five years, both companies will further accelerate the active promotion…

A.P. Moller – Maersk reports solid Q1 results
A.P. Moller – Maersk reports a first quarter of 2023 in line with expectations. Continued destocking and easing of congestions implied lower volumes across all segments. Revenue declined by 26% to USD 14.2bn from USD 19.3bn. EBITDA decreased to USD 4.0bn from USD 9.1bn, and EBIT to USD 2.3bn from USD…

US: Eden Green Technology supplies lettuce to Robinson Fresh
Eden Green Technology announced it is now supplying produce to over 400 retail stores across the United States. Later this year, Eden Green will break ground on two additional facilities in Texas, doubling capacity. This growth accelerates the company’s mission to make fresh, locally-grown produce more…

Brighter Bites adds to board of directors
Brighter Bites, a national nonprofit delivering fresh fruits and vegetables directly into families’ hands, announces Gabriela D’Arrigo, VP of communications and marketing at…

Quirch Foods explores sale
Quirch Foods LLC is exploring options - including a sale - that could value the private equity-owned food distributor at about $1.5 billion, including debt. Quirch distributes meat-based products and…

CPMA 2023 convention and trade show by the numbers
The 2023 Canadian Produce Marketing Association Convention and Trade Show (CPMA 2023) held last week in Toronto is CPMA’s biggest show in its history with more than 4,200…

Illinois produce company joins food distributor company
FreshEdge, a family of fresh food distribution companies backed by Wind Point Partners, acquired Testa Produce, a produce and specialty food company headquartered in Chicago,…

Berry company celebrates 40-year milestone anniversary
California Giant Berry Farms started small. It was originally founded in 1983 by Bill Moncovich, Pat Riordan, Frank Saveria and Red Bryant and the quartet joined forces with a simple mission in mind—provide the best quality strawberries and give back to their community. Left to right: Bill Moncovich, Joe…
Changes in the governance of the Bonduelle Group
Bonduelle Group CEO Guillaume Debrosse departs from general management
The Bonduelle Group has announced the departure from general management, by mutual agreement, of Guillaume Debrosse, who was appointed Chief Executive Officer in April 2018,…

medFEL 2023 welcomed 7% more visitors and 22% more exhibitors
The 2023 edition of medFEL ended on the 27th of April, after two days of exchanges, meetings, conferences and of course the traditional harvest forecasts. But this year, the highly anticipated event of the fruit and vegetable sector was back to a level closer to 2019 (200 exhibitors). After two years of…
Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. Reports First Quarter 2023 Financial Results
'Gross profit and margin were strong'
Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. today reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2023. Click here for a larger image. “Our first quarter results of 2023 are…

IFPA names 2023 Produce Excellence in Foodservice Award winners
The International Fresh Produce Association will celebrate nine of the country's chefs and foodservice professionals during IFPA's Foodservice Conference, July 27-28 in…

The analysis of inKarta
A still undefined moment of transition for primary packaging
"We are convinced that, if Europe is drafting a regulation imposing a guideline on packaging materials for fresh produce, the situation must be dire! Objectives to pursue must be capable of halting pollution due to microplastics. But the banning of all packaging containing goods weighing less than 1.5 kg…

Roelant Komen, José Cubero, Erik Rustenburg, Yesy Lalupú start BeeFair Organic
New kid on Europe's organic fruit importing block
Seasoned overseas fruit import and sales representatives and former colleagues Roelant Komen, José Cubero, Erik Rustenburg, and Yesy Lalupú have started a new company: BeeFair Organic. Last week this new business, based in the Netherlands, obtained its organic and fair trade certification. The first…
Official start of the fresh vegetable season at Pfalzmarkt eG
Photovoltaic system at Pfalzmarkt generates 2.6 million kWh of electricity per year
Pfalzmarkt eG invited media representatives to its new Hall 4 in Mutterstadt for the official start of the 2023 fresh vegetable season. This new hub for fresh fruit and vegetables was first put into operation at the beginning of 2022 to once again accelerate fresh produce logistics to food retailers and…

USDA lifts PACA reparation sanctions on Florida produce business
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that WWD Fruits LLC, doing business as B Fruits, satisfied a $60,725 reparation order issued under the Perishable…

Chilean exporter to receive CarbonNeutral® product certification
After two consecutive years of neutralizing emissions originating in the international transport of its organic apples, Chilean exporter Copefrut is receiving the CarbonNeutral® Product certification from Climate Impact Partner. Copefrut calculated, mitigated and offset greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions…
Hartmann announces preliminary Q1 2023 financial figures and updates guidance for 2023
Hartmann expects to generate revenue of DKK 3.4-3.8 billion in 2023
Brødrene Hartmann A/S, a prominent manufacturer of fruit packaging in South America and India, has announced its preliminary Q1 2023 financial figures and updates guidance for…

MHM automation acquires Wyma for estimated $60 mln
MHM Automation acquired 100% of the shares of prominent post-harvest vegetable and fruit handling equipment manufacturer Wyma Engineering (NZ) Limited yesterday. The…