FreshPlaza: Global Fresh Produce and Banana News

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As California strawberries transition to Santa Maria, blueberries shift to imports

Less guava from Mexico available this Christmas season

Rain in Mexico tightens field tomato supply

Lady Moon Farms and Happy Dirt form strategic partnership to expand organic operations

Greenhouse-grown organic strawberries get a new look

Smallhold emerges from Chapter 11 bankruptcy

The symbiotic relationship between ethylene and fruit ripening

Mission Produce reports total revenue increase by 24%

Limoneira announces net worth rise with $10.8 million for Q3

Mexico: Cucurbit growers discuss market challenges

Sector | Vegetables

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"Irrigation is perhaps the most critical agricultural practice in artichoke cultivation"

Celebrating 15 years in artisan lettuce

Bell pepper pricing to stay higher than normal for near future

Peruvian superfoods growers and exporter set sights on Asian expansion

Researchers discover new ginger species in India

Autumn produce hits US grocery stores despite heat

Vincent Keesenberg – Imifino Exports

Exports offer way out to growers not seeing increased returns locally

Sector | Bananas

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Sandra Monroy, CEO of Frutadeli

Ecuadorian bananas: expanding to Asia and beyond

Australia's first genetically modified banana taste test

Gene editing, classified as genetic modification in South Africa, offers best chance to develop BBTV resistance, researcher says

Banana bunchy top virus not identified in South Africa's Mpumalanga Province

Suné Wiltshire – Du Roi Laboratory

Disease-free plant material gives African banana growers peace of mind

Weekly banana price report

Banana prices seem stable compared to last week

Manoel Motta, General Manager of Gustoo Tropical Fruits, Panama

Growing demand for Panamanian plantain in Europe

Damage of Hurricane Beryl to Jamaican banana and plantain sector assessed at $2.1 billion

Sector | Potatoes and Onions

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Frank Poelman, Landjuweel:

"Potato sales have continued well this summer"

Is climate change to blame for the high cost of potato chips?

Bellevue sweet potato popularity growing, unauthorized importation remains problem

Greek onion season nears its end; low prospects for potatoes

European potato market anticipates reduced output due to weather challenges

Benjamin Keil from Jucker Farm AG on the Swiss pumpkin harvest:

"Demand for our early pumpkins is already surprisingly high"

North Carolina growers assess how rains could impact sweet potato crop

Sector | Exotic/Tropical fruit & vegetables

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Joel Peguy Kamte, Kep Company:

"Our target for the next mango campaign is five containers a day"

Pará leads in açaí export with over 61 thousand tons annually

Erick Lava Laguna, Peruvian Inka Fruit

"We want to grow in Korea and consolidate our relationships with new customers"

Pitaya cultivation: a rising star in Algarve's agricultural scene

Peru's agro-expert sector on the rise despite challenges

New giant avocado arrives in Australia

Social media has supported rambutan in making the transition to mainstream

Sector | Company news

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The Greenery partners with Rootstock and Salesforce for digital overhaul in Europe

H2 Organizer launches with a focus on agricultural staffing in the United States

Produce industry mourns passing of Al Vangelos

Calavo Growers achieves notable sales growth in Q3 2024 and doubles dividend

Carrefour enters India through partnership with Apparel Group

Oppy's John Anderson receives Order of B.C. and King Charles III’s Coronation Medal

Multivac inaugurates new Center of Excellence for slicing solutions in Buchenau

Sector | Greenhouse

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Greenhouse grown Roma tomatoes from Central Mexico enter market

How AI makes greenhouse farming more efficient and cost-effective

Space tomato plants take up less space and yield more fruit

Improving the organoleptic characteristics of a tomato requires dedication

There is no immediate certainty when choosing a new variety

ToBRFV in Australia, what can growers do?

"Fear is driving decisions right now, but it's not the best advisor"

Japan: Observation of domestic vs. global market

"It is now possible to grow vegetables in Saudi Arabia at a lower cost than imports"

Sector | Logistics

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Navigating future currents: Latin America's maritime sector on the rise

ZIM reveals operational collaboration with MSC for strategic transpacific trade

Zespri and shipping partner ANL/CMA CGM-

Feasibility study launched into shipping corridor between New Zealand and Belgium

Freight rates experience fluctuation amid market adjustments

Navigating the impact of Red Sea tensions on international trade routes

Logistics UK indicates that new border controls may lead to higher food prices and potential product shortages

Red Sea crisis triples investment budget for Rwandan exporter

Sector | Machinery

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New packing station opened by Moldovan fruit exporter PDG Fruct

Smart hygiene-optimized production line launches in Northern Germany

Exploring the future of farming with robots in Holland Marsh

New single paper bagger machine unveiled

Robert Peters, Aweta

"You need special techniques and AI to control all client sorting aspects"

Antoine van Kasteren, OptiServe

"Along with the client, we can calculate the payback period pretty precisely"

New weigh and fill machine launched in European market

Sector | General fresh produce

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Brazil experiences a 19.04% decline in potato prices in August

Cost of fresh produce is not typically higher or lower than processed

Avocado, cucumber, and tomato movement from Mexico expected to increase

USDA report on California crop progress & condition

California almond harvest in full swing

New Zealand supermarket chain reports full supply of local produce

Canadian Sustainability Strategy updated ahead of November launch

What Mexico’s “pause” with U.S. and Canadian embassies could mean for produce

Sector | Management

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Philippine peso leads Asian currency decline amid US dollar stability

How EU laws affect the fresh trade more and more

How a drug trafficker used raw bananas to smuggle bhang in Kenya

Hawaii receives $524,773 in federal funding for specialty crop projects

Banana growers advocate for Philippines-South Korea trade agreement to maintain market presence

Numerous farmers in the UK plan to abandon "unworkable" ethical audits

Rising labor costs in Michigan farms prompt calls for federal intervention

Sector | Miscellaneous

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Because a greenhouse is not enough

New room spray makes your house smell like tomatoes too

70 per cent regional funding for its purchase

Anti-frost machine to prevent fruit from freezing

Drugs were hidden in vegetable shipment

Meth seizure in Georgia during traffic stop

Eco-friendly cardholders made of mango-based materials announced

Euro trades at its highest against the US dollar this year

CBP officers discover $5 million worth of methamphetamine disguised as watermelons

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Otay Mesa Commercial Facility

K-9 unit detects methamphetamine in celery shipment

Sector | Fruit

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Weather conditions resulted in early harvest of Greek grapes

"Sales of Hongxiangsu pear increase as prices show an upward trend"

Cédric Massot, Pommes des Alpes de Haute-Durance

“There is anticipation for the new Golden Delicious harvest"

Quentin Jumet, Intermarché

"We want to prove that 1+1 free does not mean inferior quality”

World's heaviest plum grown in South Africa

US horticultural product forecast reaches $41.5 billion in FY 2025

South African pears overshadow international competition in Indian market

Sector | Herbs

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Kruiden Claus sees upward trend in unknown herbs

"People need to familiarize with the wide array of herbs available"

Demand to pick up in early September for fresh herbs

Anthony De Ieso - Thorndon Park Produce

"This year has been very favourable; coriander is a quick turnaround from seed to harvest"

South Korea and U.S. reach agreement on Korean ginseng and Texas grapefruit exports

Meal boxes: a stepping stone to increased herb consumption

"Hydroponics is our main business"

Micro's Unilight:

"Our next target market will be sandwich stores and exporters"

Sector | Agenda

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Sakata to showcase 14 new varieties at Field Days 2024

Agronometrics, Webinar 24 September, 2024 -

New tool unveiled to quantify how much you can trust blueberry trade data

Registration open for the Organic Grower Summit 2024

'Fueling innovation and resilience in the fast-changing potato sector'

Bruno Mezzetti was present at the International Symposium in Canada

"Global blueberry market to grow for at least another five years"

Winners of Asia Fruit Awards 2024 announced

Review of the 34th Weuthen Potato Day 2024:

Potato industry continues to be innovative and adaptable

Sector | Citrus

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Juan Francisco Ruiz, of Citran:

"We have introduced new varieties of pigmented citrus fruits that are highly appreciated by consumers and growers"

Pricing impacts orange exports to Mexico and Central America

Optimism ahead of organic citrus season

Brazil's citrus production is estimated to hit a 30-year low

Diego Costa, from Riverbend:

"The market for industrial lemons is still very competitive, especially due to the production in Argentina"

An interesting season expected for the Navelina

Great interest in the first Spanish oranges, of which there will be more production and smaller sizes

Brazil's Fundecitrus issues alert for citrus floral rot risk during flowering period

Sector | Organic

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Organic seedless grapes: production growth in Italy and in the world

Melissa Sampayo, manager of Bioma Colombia

Bioma Colombia: innovation in regenerative agriculture with organic lulo

New organic vegetable specialty division to serve the Southwest

Paul Davidson, Commercial Director of Sol Ogánica, Nicaragua

Push for ROC-certified organic products

Canada's certified organic fruit and vegetable production declined in 2023

Stone fruit totes and baby sweet potato line at OPS 2024

New line of organic Asian vegetables to be unveiled

Sector | Health

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Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli reduce blood pressure compared to root and squash vegetables

Raw white garlic may improve cardiac health and lower the risk of illness

Washing fruit does not remove pesticides, study finds

New study bolsters existing evidence that walnuts support well-being for Gen Z

New study shows strawberries may lower cardiovascular disease risk and improve glucose control

Independent young people and young couples without children consume the least fresh fruit

Study finds eating hot peppers may be associated with decreased mortality

Sector | IT

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Luke Wood - Escavox

Gold of quality assurance can be found in millions of supply chain data points

Harvest label gives full control of bins this season

“We can backtrack everything per product, per second, per worker”

New biosecurity technology protecting New Zealand food security

Fraunhofer UMSICHT

AI-controlled production of soft fruits using new sensor systems

Celonis and TEC150 enable Zespri to deliver millions in value by optimizing operations with process intelligence

"The market is dramatically increasing its purchases of 4G real-time monitoring products"

Sector | Innovations

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USDA invests nearly $121M in specialty crops research and organic agriculture production

Innovation with robotics in mushroom farming

Israeli biotech explores papaya molecule for cystic fibrosis treatment

Promising results: disinfection of a bag of lettuce using UV-C

High temperatures threaten apple orchard output in major growing states

From space to farm: readying NASA satellites to help growers

Affordable real-time data logger with unique features available

Sector | Processed fruit and vegetables

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Daniel Rohrseitz from Rohrseitz GmbH in Frankfurt:

"Increasing demand for hand-cut fruit"

"We anticipate strong demand for pomegranate arils"

European fruit processors says lack of spring impacts 2024 summer crops

Premium 100 percent pure avocado oils make debut

Chopped salad kits make debut

Are canned and frozen vegetables still popular?

European apple juice market has seen limited trading activity since start of 2024

Frost damage causes concern for the apple juice industry

Sector | Cooling

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Evy van Gastel, Fruit Service Collective:

"New ripening technology allows us to differentiate in exotic products"

New portable cold stores deliver energy efficiency and sustainability advantages for Blue Cube

Port Houston approved for cold treatment

Cryopak acquires gel-pack segment from Garden State Cold Storage in the US

Leander van Bellen: "To not only spot damage, but also prevent it"

HDG Survey Group acquires Otflow

New facility increases the company’s storage capacity in the country by 120%

Emergent Cold LatAm inaugurates a modern warehouse in Callao, Peru

A M King completes expansion for Henry Avocado Corp’s Charlotte facility

Sector | Food safety

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Eagle Produce recalls cantaloupe due to Salmonella risk

Third South Australian property confirms tomato virus presence

Food safety initiative recognized again

The added value of certifications in accessing demanding export markets

Mangos not involved

Rectification of article on foodborne illness outbreaks

Flagstone Foods allergy alert on undeclared peanuts, almonds and pecan in Emerald Kettle Glazed Walnuts

jalapeño, green bean, and green pepper

Vegetable recall in the US classified as class I risk by the FDA

Sector | Nuts and dried fruits

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California walnut production expected to decrease by 19%

Aziende Campobasso

Almonds: rising quotations affected by oversea trends

Ghazi Rouissi, CEO of The House of Dates

"Tunisian dates have been the victims of unfair competition”.

California walnut industry crop estimate released

California Walnuts spotlights demand drivers for national 'Fruits & Veggies Month'

Andalusian almonds will be shipped to China by Almensur

Turkish hazelnut campaign launches in India

Sector | Packaging and Labelling

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Woolworths criticized for plastic usage in Melbourne

A strategic guide for businesses

Navigating EU plastic packaging regulations

“We must be prepared and flexible”

Study reveals consumer preferences for Utah's fresh and packaged fruits

Sarco Packaging & Equipment:

"We're moving toward reusing materials"

"Packaging costs in Egypt have risen by around 45%"

North Bay Produce strengthens sustainability commitment

Sector | Retail

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Whole Foods Market will open a new store in Hyannis, Massachusetts, on October 10

Target has opened its 11th sortation center

Lidl US will open its newest store in Cumming, Georgia

Amazon Fresh: New grocery savings for Prime members

Costco: Strong August sales

Couche-Tard remains keen on pursuing a buyout of 7-Eleven owner

Alimentation Couche-Tard: Decline in net earnings in a 'weak' Q1

Everbowl: New avocado promotion

Sycamore Partners has acquired Playa Bowls

First Aldi store in Staten Island is set to open

Amazon is expanding its relationship with Weis Markets

Big Y Supermarkets get fresh organic vegetables from future farmers

Irving H-E-B store expected to open in late 2026

Amazon Fresh has been making notable moves in the grocery sector this year

Sector | Global Market

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GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW ONIONS

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW BANANAS

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW AVOCADOS

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW LEMONS

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW POTATOES

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW GINGER

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW LIMES

Sector | Climate

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Pumpkin harvest thrives in Illinois and Ohio amid weather challenges

Typhoon Yagi devastates agricultural sector in Hanoi

Warmer years accelerate apple maturity, prompting earlier harvests

August rains continue to impact Quebec vegetable crops

Hurricane recovery efforts in Jamaica receive additional funding

Jamaica addresses concerns over agricultural product price gouging post-Hurricane Beryl

Lettuce particularly impacted following Quebec’s sizeable rainfall

Sector | Cartoons

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Frustrated resident throws rotten produce at noisy cars

Actress assures fans after eating poisonous fruit

Limited-edition nashi double teriyaki burger

Artichoke water: the new health trend

Dog popcorn from potatoes launched

Potato factory evacuated over bomb

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