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Canadian consumers ask for locally grown produce

“It’s such a good feeling to see the pull in demand”

Job Board | Newly added vacancies

more job offers

Store presentation plays a key role in lychee sales

Strong season for organic California stone fruit anticipated

Growing regions for pomegranates transitioning in Peru

High prices for imported Red Delicious apples in India

Tariffs threaten North Carolina sweet potato exports

Florida orange crop shows hopeful recovery

National Retail Report - Specialty Crops:

Easter boosts produce ads by 3%

South African fruit exports to U.S. at risk under Trump tariffs

Tariff shifts strain North American cross-border trucking

Sector | Vegetables

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Bulltec: Watch the videos on processing lines for courgettes, tomatoes, fennel, and carrots

Tailor-made solutions for every vegetable
Hans van Maurik, Fresh Goods Handler:

"Sous-vide cooked beets gaining traction in the fresh produce trade"

Third-generation joins family morel mushroom business

Taranaki garlic enters retail as crop trials show strong results

Industry reacts to U.S.-Mexico Tomato Suspension Agreement decision
Seasonal perishable products weekly update:

Avocado prices steady as asparagus hits $37.75 per carton

Egyptian fresh green bean exports keep decreasing in favor of frozen beans

Sector | Bananas

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Honeyglow bananas to be launched in Europe

Chiquita named one of Newsweek’s America’s Most Loved Brands 2025

Colombian banana growers aim to boost exports to EU market

Fedco reports Cavendish banana decline in the Philippines

Vietnam banana exports surge as durian sales plunge

Rain damages 1,300+ hectares of crops in Jalgaon and Nashik

Ecuadorian bananas adapt to climate change, trade restrictions, and new tariff conditions

Sector | Potatoes and Onions

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Creek Side Potatoes opts for Optica Q

"Stepping into the future with a new optical sorter"

PepsiCo boosts Saudi potato plant investment to $80 million
Jordi Calatayud y Monge (Mulder Onions):

"Onion prices skyrocket: Temporary Easter demand or sign of more to come?"

New crop potatoes make their way into Easter pull

U.S. potato stocks down 6% from April 2024

South Korea reviews GMO potato imports under U.S. pressure

Potatoes Australia joins World Potato Congress as partner

Sector | Exotic/Tropical fruit & vegetables

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Geofin: "Effective alternative to improve fruit setting and quality"

Excellent performance by pollinating kiwi plants with bumblebees
Vivai F.lli Zanzi is licensed to reproduce the Zespri G3 Sungold, M33 and M91 varieties

Kiwi, the rootstock, can determine the success or failure of a crop
Week 16 Fruit Wholesale Market Report

Rising New Zealand apple volumes pressure prices as durian arrivals continue to grow

India sends first sea shipment of pomegranates to U.S.

Mexico launches sustainability strategy for avocado industry

California growers warn of pest risks after avocado inspection halt

$8.9 million in meth found in chayote shipment

Sector | Company news

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Prior to entering administration, JFC had begun supplying major UK retailers

Jones Food Company business and assets now on the market, administrators seek buyer

EarthFresh announces strategic appointments post-acquisition
Third variety marks milestone in Oishii’s expansion journey

Oishii introduces the Nikko Berry: “Our most affordable berry yet”
AeroFarms brings new varieties to U.S. retail shelves:

“Micro Bok Choy was a natural next step”

Harvest House sharpens focus on international strategy

Clean water campaign wins NAMA award

Program activities announced for GreenTech Amsterdam 2025

Sector | Greenhouse

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Serragrow 4.0 by Ofylia (Italy)

The traditional greenhouse is now smarter
Interview with Enrico Garrasi, sales director of Agriplast S.p.a.

Glass microspheres to cool greenhouses without sacrificing light

KingsOne farms begins construction on automated lettuce greenhouse in Kingsville

AMHPAC held 6th annual social responsibility symposium
Division Q invests in Skytree

Koppert Cress intends to capture CO2 from the atmopshere

New chief sustainability officer for Topline Farms
Scaling vertical farming through partnerships and social impact:

“I cannot sit in Sweden and dictate how farmers in India, South Africa, or Nigeria should grow their crops”

Sector | Logistics

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Managing liability in LTL produce shipments
World Container Index - 17 Apr

Container Index decreased 3% to $2,192 per 40ft container this week

Cape Town terminal begins assembly of new hybrid gantry cranes
Tarros Group

Building tailored logistics in the Mediterranean through innovation and strategy

TKL handles enough kiwifruit to feed everyone in India and China twice over
World Container Index - 10 Apr

World Container Index rises 3% to $2,265 per 40ft container

Pecém-China shipping route to cut transit time in half

Sector | Machinery

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Color LCD screen for easier user experience

KA-750PM peeler launched
Fruit Graders

Global availability of new and used grading and sorting tech
OrganicTank

No more rotting bell pepper stench in the trash can

UC San Diego develops tape-inspired gripper for delicate produce
Marco Mingozzi "Good results from field experiences in recent weeks"

The power of the flame weeder against frost

“Our belting technology and packer-to-palletizer solutions improve throughput and minimize downtime”

Automation via optimization

Sector | General fresh produce

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Photo report CPMA Montreal
Photo report Retail Tour

A look at the fresh produce offerings of Montreal’s ethnic and discount stores
Stéphane Layani, World Union of Wholesale Markets

"Raising awareness of the importance of wholesale markets”

High customs duties drive up fresh fruit prices in Herat

Vietnam sees strong U.S. fruit demand despite tariffs
A delegation of 54 young people met in Mercato Saraceno (Forlì-Cesena) in Emilia Romagna

13 nations gather to discuss the problems of European agriculture

Looking ahead at the start of New Jersey’s vegetable season

Sector | Management

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Senator Gallego urges reversal of tomato import duty decision

Lawsuits filed over E. coli outbreak linked to Taylor Farms

Lawsuits challenge Trump’s emergency tariff powers

Ontario farm secures 999-year conservation deal

Japan ends aflatoxin tests for U.S. almond imports under new protocol

New Zealand fast-tracks UAE trade deal

South Africa urged to speed up fruit export diversification

Sector | Miscellaneous

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Alex Platt – RegenZ

Farming for resilience requires a deep dive into the soil

Empowering crops in the battle against mites and mildew

Russian drone strikes destroy office and laboratory of Ukrainian Agrivoltaics Association
Contestants compete by selling products made from high-quality, fresh market produce

New Covent Garden Market ‘hired’ in The Apprentice’s 'Crops to Cash' episode

Moroccan fruit and vegetable exporter discusses floral program
Spoiler alert: Not quite, but most do

Does every business need FX risk management?
TR Turoni to attend Fruit Logistica

"Flesh firmness measuring tools are essential for companies"

Sector | Fruit

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Tony Harding - Worldwide Fruit

“I expect the transition from Southern Hemisphere to Northern Hemisphere fruit to be smooth"
Vivien Bouthier, Guillaume Baraille - France Food

"Maintaining a consistent level of remuneration for producers to ensure the long-term future of the French strawberry sector"

Emerging exporters reshape global blueberry market

Chilean blueberry sector aims to boost yields and renew varieties

Granny Smith apple roots celebrated at Australian festival

Moldovan fruit sector shows resilience after termination of USAID program
More than 40,000 hectares devastated by hail storm in Lleida, Spain

"Unfortunately, hail has fallen at the worst possible time"

Sector | Herbs

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Spring holidays expected to boost demand for fresh herbs

"We've achieved near-complete domestic sourcing for our key herbs"
Belgian herb company turns 125

"You must teach people how to use herbs"
PUURgroenten:

"Artisanal business in a dynamic market"

Cilantro gains popularity in cocktails with new bottled spirit and creative mixes
Jolien Vanden Berghe and Jorne Leemans, Dilpack:

“Strong rise in herb exports”

"Hydroponics make good economic sense in Morocco"

Sector | Agenda

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April 22, 2025

Championing sustainability efforts for Earth Day 2025
We will be back Tuesday 22nd of April

Happy Easter from the FreshPlaza team
Thanos Motsiopoulos from Nutrifrucht GmbH on Freskon 2025 in Greece:

"The current cold front shaped the conversations on site"
April 17, 2025

Free webinar on the future of fresh supply chain execution

Photo Report: Freskon 2025

Viva Fresh Expo marked 10th year and saw record attendance
Ethiopia:

HortiFlora moves to annual event after successful 2025 edition

Sector | Citrus

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Tiaan Snyman – Principle Agri

“The days of simply farming for volume are numbered”

Citrus science professor Malcolm Manners retires after 44 years
Lavhengwa Nemaorani – Muka Tangi Farm

“I’m the example that rural development does work”

Chile plans to export 11% more citrus this season
Néstor Tisocco, Nobel:

"There's a very strong demand for oranges worldwide"

Mandarins continue to move, even with consumer uncertainty over economic climate
citrus under protective screen

CUPS system expands to more citrus varieties

Sector | Organic

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Preview of imported organic apple and pear program for spring and summer

"Transition to organic growing of Medjool dates was a tremendous challenge"
Roelant Komen of BeFair Bio:

“Demand for organic fruit from overseas picking up”
Jessica Cornely, Biofrais

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

Merger of organic produce companies strengthens support for family farms

"We're too big for the local market, yet too small to export"

Reflecting on Organic Grower Summit 2024

Sector | Health

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Bananas may help control blood pressure better than cutting salt

Kaempferol shows promise for ALS and dementia treatment

Nonprofit launches “Food is Medicine” webpage

From pharmacy to farmacy: giving food and healthcare systems a fresh start

Eating walnuts for breakfast may boost your brain function

Tufts and Kaiser Permanente launch Food is Medicine network to expand nutrition-based healthcare

Red grape juice may reduce risk of erectile dysfunction

Sector | IT

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Gregal's VisionAgro: 25 years of know-how and a global technology partner

"More and more managers see technology as an ally to improve their day-to-day management"
Jiir Awdir from the Swiss AI start-up Hoshii AG:

"We support trading companies by making existing ERP software AI-capable"

"We launched an upgraded wireless temperature and humidity data logger at the Fruit Logistica Berlin"
Enkitek’s Co-Farmer platform:

"This technology is not a luxury, but a necessity for staying competitive in the future of farming"

GlobalG.A.P. launches new it platform to streamline certification and audits
Andre Rademeyer - AgrigateOne

‘One stop shop platform’ that streamlines the supply chain for suppliers, service providers, buyers
René van den Berg, Abstract IT

“Robots increasingly play a starring role”

Sector | Innovations

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Gaming Garden project kicks off in Madrid:

“Urban farming can be accessible and impactful when approached simply and inclusively”
Sumika Agrotech’s Sumisansui:

Irrigating smarter with Japanese technology
Inside Mexico’s tallest vertical farm:

“We're proud to say this is the only project of its kind in Mexico”
Hans Meiring

Under the microscope, new-generation nets show their secret

Partnership to deliver iceless broccoli across Eastern Canada

Bringing post-harvest innovation to Latin America’s food inflation fight

Partnership designed to deliver fresher, longer-lasting broccoli

Sector | Processed fruit and vegetables

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Carrot fries make their debut
Rinke Robbers, De Terp Squashpackers

BBQ pumpkin slices added to the range
Mateusz Maćkowski, Global Onions:

"I want to place optical graders at 100 Polish peeling plants in the coming years"
HAK Fresh

Grilled and roasted vegetables: Convenience products for the food service sector

Expansion from fresh into frozen products as well as snack category
Mauro Mastrototaro

"Biodiversity - a fundamental ally for field crops"

Mushrooms get versatile as value-added item

Sector | Cooling

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Vinicius Wanderley Campos, of Hevile

Brazil's cold storage gaps affect papaya and mango exports

Photo report: Maersk cold store now operational at Maasvlakte II
Treatment Cold Plus Europe leads to more efficient cooling system with less friction and faster evaporation

US technology provides energy savings of 18 to 27% in cooling systems
Branch manager Kevin Poldervaart (Kreko): "A nice bonus is that we even feed power back"

Solar-powered freezer container solves power capacity challenge for hospitality wholesaler

New cold storage facility opens in Monterrey to meet growing demand

New iReefer Pro service enhances reefer cargo monitoring

JD.com and Tmall import fresh fruit via cross-border e-commerce, expanding cold chain capabilities

Sector | Food safety

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Harvest NYC recalls enoki mushrooms over listeria risk

EPA approves new crop protection tool from BioWorks

Marketside celery recalled over possible listeria contamination

Agragene and associates team up on SWD pest control
Benjamin Singh (Food Freshly) on ensuring food safety

"Fresh approach is needed to stem the tide of food borne illnesses"

U.S. updates avocado import rules over pest risk

"Biocontrol solutions are showing positive outcomes in Morocco"

Sector | Nuts and dried fruits

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Daily almonds support heart and metabolic health

Australian almond exports up as China demand grows

March almond shipments down 6.6% as EU trade tensions rise

U.S. pistachio stocks low ahead of harvest, record crop expected
Photo Report: Royal Macadamia

Macadamia exporter wary of U.S. tariffs on South African exports

Missouri patents first black walnut cultivar for nut production

Australian almond sales hit record 169,541 tons

Sector | Packaging and Labelling

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Italy's GI.ST.EL. Plast: The future beyond plastic is already here

Packaging and sustainability go hand in hand
foodProcess by Topcontrol, watch the video!

Smart packaging in just one click

Certified compostable PLU sticker advances sustainable packaging
Altes Land in Germany:

"We can pack around 100 tons a day"

Lettuce has a new award-winning look

"The exported cherries can be kept fresh for up to 30 days"

Hazera announces new packaging designs

Sector | Retail

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Tops Friendly Markets is spending $4.4mln to remodel 2 stores

Chipotle signs development agreement to open restaurants in Mexico for 1st time
Whole Foods Market: Supplier All-Star Awards

Walmart: New distribution center in Jacksonville, Florida
T&T Supermarket: New Ontario location will open in summer 2026

METRO: 2025 second quarter results
Walmart Canada’s Easter meal includes broccoli

Albertsons posted $18.8bln in net sales and other revenue during Q4
Launch of Procurant Fresh AI

Carrefour Brasil: 3.6% increase in gross sales
Healthy Family Project: 2025 Produce for Kids campaign with AWG

Plum Market has signed the lease for its 2nd Florida location
New Lidl store in Freehold, New Jersey on Friday, May 9

Costco: March sales results

Sector | Global Market

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GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW TOMATOES

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW PINEAPPLES

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW GRAPES

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW LIMES

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW BELL PEPPERS

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW GINGER

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW CUCUMBERS

Sector | Climate

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Frost affects Turkish fruit production in 36 provinces

"It's estimated that the damage throughout the country exceeds 575 million euros"

Study shows number of extremely hot days in Florida going up

Severe frost impact on Turkish apricots, cherries, grapes, peaches, walnuts and potentially citrus

Libya in the aftermath of Storm Daniel: "40% loss of vegetable acreage, 90% fruit acreage"

Reduced snowfall raises crop and drought concerns in Wisconsin
Wednesday 19 March in Emilia Romagna (Italy)

A night with the farmers who fight the frost

Heavy rains in Morocco raise hopes of an end to the country's longest drought

Sector | Cartoons

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Enactus-UPEI's potato soap wins

Oakland University student's viral 'mushroom symphony'

Durian vending machine launched

Domino's unveils Garlic & Herb easter egg

Jimmy Kimmel’s $19 strawberry prank goes viral

Apples for peace: doctors in China use fruit superstitions for calm shifts

Turkish woman sets watermelon-crushing record

Sector | Trade War

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Costa Rica faces export challenges during US-China trade conflict

Why the produce industry should give importing/exporting contracts a second look
Industrie Montali

The impact of tariffs on the competitiveness of European companies

Mexican tomatoes will pay a 20.91% tariff in the U.S. starting July 14

Taiwan announces support package after U.S. delays tariffs

Tariffs drive up costs for Georgia produce growers

Fresh fruit exporters urge U.S. to exempt produce from new tariffs