Webinar on business impact of duties on tomatoes from Mexico

The Fresh Produce Association of America (FPAA) is hosting a free webinar focusing on the potential impacts of the termination of the 2019 Tomato Suspension Agreement. This webinar is a response to the Florida Tomato Exchange's (FTE) request for the Department of Commerce to terminate the 2019 Suspension…

Mexican bananas may offset gaps in Ecuadorian organic banana shipments

Following an advisory last month from the Panama Canal authority warning that with 41 percent less rainfall than usual this winter and in the upcoming summer months, the next few months will see fewer vessels passing through the waterway, banana growers and shippers are keeping watch on the situation.…

Turning banana waste into clothes

In Pakistan, where banana cultivation yields 154,000 tons annually, a collaboration between Interloop and Simply Suzette has introduced the Unpeeled collection. Addressing the environmental impact of burning 10 million tons of banana stems yearly, the collection utilizes Loomshake banana fiber for denim,…

Cambodia's banana exports decrease by 23%

In the first 11 months of 2023, Cambodia encountered a substantial drop of nearly 24% in fresh banana exports, totaling over 260,000 tonnes compared to the corresponding period in the previous year. China continues to be the primary market, absorbing around 95% of the exports, while smaller quantities…

Indian government bans export of onions until March 31, 2024

The Indian government has banned the export of onions until March 31, 2024, aiming to ensure increased availability domestically and stabilize prices. Onions are currently being sold at INR 70-80 per kilogram in New Delhi. The government has taken various measures to control onion prices, including…

Traders cease onion and potato supply due to VAT charges

A scarcity of potatoes and onions has gripped the Kathmandu Valley as traders cease their sale, citing the government's imposition of a value-added tax (VAT) on these essential agricultural products. The Potato Onion Traders Association (POTA) has stopped supplying these items to retailers and issued…

"There is confidence across the industry that we won’t be running short of potatoes for your Christmas dinner"

NFU Potato Policy Group chair Tim Rooke in the aftermath of one of the most challenging lifting seasons he has faced. We’ve had one of the wettest and most challenging lifting seasons that I can remember, there’s no denying that it’s had an impact on the potato crop. We’ve seen a degree of crop…

Dutch breeding company introduces HTPS to Kenya

Solynta, a Dutch potato breeding technology company, is introducing a Hybrid True Potato Seed (HTPS) breeding technology in Kenya. This technology provides disease-resistant and resilient seeds, offering farmers the ability to predict yields more accurately compared to traditional tubers. Unlike tubers,…

So far, the volume of Peruvian mango exports is down by 42% compared to last year

Weather-related factors delayed the start of the mango season in Peru, and this is reflected in the export figures recorded so far. At this time, fresh mango shipments total…

Papaya supply anticipated to pick up

Supply of papaya have been very limited in recent months but they are now becoming more available. Lance Peterson of Super Starr International says supply has been limited for at least four months now and part of the issue could be a lack of sunlight impacting the fruit set. At the same time, economics…

Caribbean is a growing destination for Dominican Republic's fruit exports

The Caribbean is emerging as a significant export destination for the Dominican Republic, with a trade exchange of US$ 9.12 billion recorded from 2019 to 2022, according to data from the Dominican Republic’s Export and Investment Center (ProDominicana). In 2022 alone, trade with the Caribbean amounted to…

Driscoll's inaugurates "Altos" refrigeration center in Mexico

Driscoll's has inaugurated its new "Altos" refrigeration center in Mexico, aiming to contribute to the growth of the region known for strawberry production. The center, with…

“Rather than looking for new candidates to eliminate Parvispinus, we have developed a strategy that is yielding results”

In 2005-2006, there was a big problem in Almeria with the control of Frankinela in bell pepper crops. "Some growers, desperate because they could not find any way to combat it, because it had developed resistance to every authorized active material, began to use unauthorized products," said Ana Arevalo…

Container freight rates back at 2019 levels but costs remain high

Liner operators are grappling with a challenging supply/demand imbalance that is impacting freight rates. The year-to-date growth of the fleet has reached 5% compared to 2022 and a substantial 19% compared to 2019. However, container volumes have declined by 2% compared to 2022 and are only marginally up…

"Every step that can't be mechanized is an extra worker"

"The labor factor weighs heavily on the production process," begins Peter Vonk, Technical Advisor at Looije Packing. This Dutch company specializes in packaging fruit and vegetable packaging. That burden, he says, explains the desire to automate packing apples into trays, a job previously done by hand.…

This is the world's largest carrot polisher

This week, Murre Technologies presented the world's largest carrot polisher at its new location in Zeeland, the Netherlands. The machine is the brainchild of Dutch carrot processor Willem de Boer, where the first machine will be installed next week. Willem and Rick de Boer traveled to Zeeland from…

Photo Report New York Produce Show

The New York Produce Show held its annual event in New York City on Wednesday, December 6. For most of the day, it felt busy and lively on the show floor. It’s a regional show that traditionally sees a high number of attendees from the Northeastern part of the US. “There are many reasons to go to New…

"Getting TOVs from regular Dutch growers again"

Last year, high energy prices meant there was little supply from those countries' greenhouses, so supermarkets had to switch to imports from Southern Europe. How are things looking this year? We approached Lidl Netherlands for more insight into their supplies and strategies for the upcoming winter…

Reiter Affiliated Companies appoints Jesus Madrazo as CEO

After more than 20 years with the company marked by exemplary leadership, Hector Lujan has decided to step down as the CEO of Reiter Affiliated Companies. Hector's remarkable contributions propelled the company to unprecedented growth, cultivating an entrepreneurial and innovative spirit that remains…

Dreamstime.com

Dollar slipped last week due to drop in private sector employment

The dollar slipped against a slew of currencies on Friday. The drop was caused by the news of steady US business activity in November, but private sector employment declined in line with expectations for a fourth-quarter economic slowdown. The lack of strong order growth resulted in businesses shedding…

Significant crop damage just before the crucial Christmas period

New South Wales, a region famed for its vibrant cherry production, has recently faced a devastating blow due to unexpected hailstorms on Saturday, December 2nd. This severe weather, characterised by heavy rains and strong winds, has particularly affected cherry orchards, leading to significant crop…

Cherry and table grape trends and predictions for 2024

The BLOOM FRESH executive team has released predictions for 2024's table grapes and cherries. #1: Low-chill cherries get a boost: Alwyn van Jaarsveld, international commercial cherry manager says climate issues have challenged cherry growers and recent seasons in California and Chile have been difficult…

Portuguese grape sales ended a month early

The grape season in Portugal has come to a close. With sales ending a bit earlier than usual, it’s easy to see the season ended with strong demand throughout. Looking back at the season, Susana Ferreira, marketing director of Portuguese grape exporter Vale da Rosa, feels they managed to achieve the goals…

Water management will be a challenge for upcoming Moroccan blueberry season

It's only a short while longer until the Moroccan blueberry season gets going, says SunCrops Sales and Procurement manager German Perez: "Our blueberry season in Morocco has not yet commenced; it begins at the end of December. However, despite last year's challenges, we're actively preparing for a…

Apple orchard update about seasonal transition post harvest

Superfresh Growers is back with another instalment of their Orchard Update series. In this episode, Horticulturist and Tree Talker, Dave Gleason, stands in a Yakima, WA, Gala apple orchard as a dusting of snow falls. Dave sheds light on what this season is like for farmers in the Pacific Northwest and…

“Chilean cherry quality arriving in China this year is higher than in previous years”

While the rain in Chile caused a reduction in the early harvesting and export volumes of cherries to China, the market is still very active, paying good prices and looking forward to receive the ‘red gold’. Amy Zeng, Purchasing Manager at JF Fresh Fruit based in Guangdong, China, says: “Rains caused the…

Organic herb demand exceeds expectations this holiday season

Jacobs Farm del Cabo has announced big wins in sales for the company’s fresh organic herb offerings during the Thanksgiving season. The holidays are a time of high demand for fresh herbs, as they add freshness, fragrance, and flavor to end-of-year festivities. Massive demand for herbs far exceeded supply…

“International Fruit Business Conference in Chisinau was a showcase of Moldovan fruit success”

The 9th edition of the International Fruit Business Conference, held on December 7th and 8th in Chisinau, Moldova, brought together over 200 fruit industry professionals from around the globe. This annual event has become a platform for collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and exploring the latest trends in…

Nursery Conference taking place at Polish Fruit and Vegetable Industry Fair

As part of the largest industry event in Central and Eastern Europe, the TSW 2024 Fruit and Vegetable Industry Fair, the Nursery Conference will be held on the second day, focusing on innovations and the future of high-quality fruit production. This conference emphasizes the importance of nursery…

IGP oranges from Algarve, Portugal are at the start point

The Portuguese climate is very suitable for the cultivation of oranges according to Pedro Marques, export manager of Portuguese fresh produce exporter Frutas Classe: “Oranges are an important part of Portugal's agricultural production and the country is renowned for its high quality citrus fruits.…

Are EU member countries' identification of pests reliable?

Justin Chadwick, CEO of the Citrus Growers' Association of Southern Africa, in his weekly newsletter, asks, are EU member countries' identification of pests reliable for the trade in perishable products? "South Africa is a signatory to the International Plant Protection convention (IPPC) as are all World…

APHIS designates the State of Alabama as a commercial citrus-producing area

The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is advising the public of a revision to the code of federal regulations (7 CFR Part 301 Subpart M – Citrus Canker) to designate the State of Alabama as a commercial citrus-producing area by updating the list in 7 CFR 301.75-5. The State of…

Californian citrus prices up, walnuts prices low

Farmers are experiencing a mixed bag of news with varying impacts on different crops and commodities: Citrus: California is expected to produce more than twice the number of oranges as Florida in 2022 and 2023. Prices for California oranges and lemons are up during the holiday season. Valley navel orange…

Research show wasabi could improve cognitive function

Wasabi is derived from the underground stem-rhizome of the wasabi plant, native to Japan. Beyond its culinary uses, wasabi has become the focus of scientific research, particularly in a recent study conducted by researchers from Tohoku University in Japan. The study delves into the cognitive effects of…

Mobile-based resource to help manage pests and diseases in crops

The MyIPM for Vegetables app is the latest in the MyIPM app series. MyIPM for Vegetables currently offers resources for tomatoes and cucurbits, which includes cucumbers, pumpkins, squash and watermelons. Rebecca Melanson, plant pathologist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, who…

Produce technology company communicates technological advancements

Apeel Sciences has created a suite of technologies that enable suppliers to safeguard and grow their businesses. Apeel has launched a new campaign to communicate its latest advancements, making its business model faster, cheaper and easier for its partners. These technology improvements include:…

United States sees opportunities in exporting processed veg to Philippines

The United States envisions becoming the second-largest supplier of processed vegetables to the Philippines, according to a report from the United States Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). In 2022, the Philippines exported 512,000 metric tons of processed vegetables valued at…

"Growing demand for service concept around RTE products"

A complete service package around exotics, particularly ripening and packaging. That is the new Fruit Service Collective's (FSC) - an independent business unit within the MAGO holding company - primary objective. The company will start operating from a 6600m² warehouse in the Meer transport zone in May…

Deaths linked to contaminated cantaloupe rise to 8 in US and Canada

A salmonella outbreak linked to contaminated cantaloupe has resulted in eight deaths—three in the U.S. and five in Canada, health officials announced. Both countries have reported dozens more illnesses, with the U.S. documenting at least 230 cases across 38 states, leading to 96 hospitalizations since…

US pistachio growers have exceeded expectations

Pistachio growers in the United States have exceeded expectations this season, achieving a record crop volume. The initial estimate of a 1.3 billion pound harvest surpassed predictions, reaching around 1.5 billion pounds, marking the largest crop in the industry's history. Richard Matoian, President of…

“We were able to report that this particular package was 80% less plastic by weight"

Shannon Boase from CKF recently gave a presentation at the Global Berry Congress in Rotterdam entitled Better Blues: Costco's Canada Case Study. "At CKF we do fiber packing as well as PET and foam, I personally am in the fiber division and have been in this business for over 20 years. I had my own…

'Thanks for supporting fund to help rebuild Moroccan villages struck by earthquake'

On September 10th, 2023, Morocco experienced an earthquake that caused the collapse of thousands of villages in the High Atlas Mountains. The government and numerous associations have hurried to assist the villagers by procuring and distributing food, water, and basic necessities. Tents and mattresses…

Japanese must remove banana trees along highway

In Kurume City, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan, a man in his 50s planted three banana trees on a public city street and tended to them unnoticed for two years. Despite watering them twice daily, his activities remained undetected until recently when authorities cut down the trees, which were illegal and…