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Strong availability of Australian lychees on U.S. West Coast

Slower movement on leaf lettuce

Ri6 Durian gaining popularity in Canada and beyond

USDA forecasts 33% drop in Florida citrus production for 2024-2025 season

U.S. apple storage down four percent over January 2024

Domestic sliced oranges see growing demand in school programs

Hong Kong key market for U.S. fresh fruits and tree nuts exports

Former BC Tree Fruits property near Kelowna Airport listed for $28 million after price cut

Argentina consolidates its position as a cherry-exporting powerhouse in Latin America

Argentina has already exported more than 6,000 tons of cherries this season

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

Sector | Vegetables

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Post-holiday fruit and vegetable trade rises, with price shifts led by Ukraine and Uzbekistan

Belizean carrot farmers struggle with surplus and competition from imports
Bulltec to attend SIVAL in Angers (14-16 January)

What's new in the field of vegetable processing?

Murcia company is using algae from the Mar Menor to grow mushrooms and obtain compounds with food applications

What the Mexican peso’s depreciation means for importers
Robert Tomlinson - B Tomlinson & Sons

"I am hoping to have 40-45 tonnes this season which is up on last year"

CDC concludes Salmonella outbreak linked to Mexican cucumbers with 113 cases reported

Sector | Bananas

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Banana prices UK

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

Dole targets organic shoppers with multi-channel banana and pineapple campaign

José Antonio Hidalgo elected co-president of World Banana Forum, pushes for fair banana pricing

Colombia’s banana industry ending the 2024 season on a positive note

Pricing stronger for organic bananas
Caroline Garcia, of Caribio Export Fresh Fruits:

Dominican bananas struggle for fair prices and expanding markets
Ecuador

Price of plantain box to be $7.50 starting January

Sector | Potatoes and Onions

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Agristo plans $450 million potato processing facility in North Dakota

US potato yield forecast drops amid weather challenges, reliance on Canadian imports grows

Onion portal closes down

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

FAOSTAT 2024: Global potato production rises despite shrinking harvested area

Canada's potato harvest thrives as U.S. faces production decline and import reliance

Mike Phillips elected chair of Michigan Potato Industry Commission for 2025

Sector | Exotic/Tropical fruit & vegetables

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The suggestion made by Ettore Ceccarelli (Julius)

"Retailers should be allowed to sell fruit by piece rather than by kilogramme"
Ulrich Boisnay, Les Halles du Verger

"I am convinced that more work should be done on tropical avocados"
Peruzzo Group offers growers a "turnkey concept" for its SunLife yellow kiwis

"We aim to plant 1,500 hectares over the next 10 years"
Prudencio López - Natural Tropic

"We have a big competitor during our marketing window"
ai

Fruit flies in space: Chinese astronauts conduct unique experiment

Australian dragon egg lychee gains popularity in Vietnam despite high price

No room on the shipping lines, Panamanian pineapple exports stay onshore

Sector | Company news

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IFPA launches into 2025 with new strategic plan and new roles

Ocean Mist Farms names new COO

Blueberry breeder announces leadership transitions

New public affairs and policy analyst for Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers

Mountain View Fruit Sales welcomes new director of business development

New chair and vice chair at Ontario Apple Growers

Applications for Next Generation Leadership Academy open

Sector | Greenhouse

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

Balancing energy innovation with agricultural production

New 1.5 million square foot greenhouse opens in Lorena, Texas

First Canadian greenhouse grower receives B Corp. certification

Growth continues in greenhouse cucumber category

Product security benefits lit cucumber cultivation

"Our mission is to have a Bold solution in every greenhouse in North America"

Sector | Logistics

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World Container Index - 09 Jan

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

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

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

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

Dockworkers and port owners debate automation to avert potential strike

Global container fleet grows as Asia-Europe trade reroutes via Cape of Good Hope

Transporting onions by cable car

Sector | Machinery

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New automated tomato transplanter introduced
Top Control (Italy)

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

New pineapple slicing machine
Bastiaan Krijger, KV Techniek:

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

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

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

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

Sector | General fresh produce

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Due to deforestation

Monkeys raid fruit and vegetable vendors
Telethon project supported by OP A.Bio.Med

Bringing fruit, vegetables and scientific research together for a good cause

Türkiye achieves record $36.2 billion in agricultural exports for 2024

USDA adds $650M to support specialty crop growers under MASC program
AI

Viral video shows birds pecking at vegetables in Walmart
Despite uncertainty, product availability boosts BelOrta sales in 2023

"Challenges in organic cultivation make achieving balance difficult"

REO Veiling achieves record sales in 2024 despite lower volumes

Sector | Management

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March 2025

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

SanLucar expands top management team

Indian rupee hits record low of 85.77 amid yuan weakness and strong U.S. dollar

H-2A visa growth slows amid rising costs and regulations, highlighting U.S. farm labor challenges

US dockworkers and employers face critical contract talks amid automation dispute
William Verhoeven (Progent) on new AI module going live in 2025

"With a solid data structure as a foundation, AI can identify trends and make predictions"

USDA grants transit permit for Santa’s reindeer, ensuring safe holiday deliveries

Sector | Miscellaneous

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INRAE

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

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

An effective protection system relies on strong poles and precise design
Linda Van den Bulck, Belgian Saffron:

"Horribly bad spring heralded volatile Belgian saffron harvest"

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

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

Would you wear a potato-scented perfume?

Sector | Fruit

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Western Cape Visit: Annelie Haumann – Stems Fruit

Stonefruit exporter dealt a good hand this season
lid
Switzerland:

"Advertising frequency undermines the premium character of the cherry and poses an image risk"
Week 2 Fruit Wholesale Market Report

Cherry sales remain weak as Chinese-produced blueberries arrivals increase
The group will only sell apples of 100% French origin

Intermarché and Netto commit to exclusively sourcing French apples

Climate change disrupts Traverse City's cherry industry, prompting adaptation efforts

Northwest Cherries reports 2024 crop success and promotional impact at Cherry Institute

Demand for Chilean cherries growing across Asia

Sector | Herbs

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Louis and Steven Lauwers (Vegobel):

"The end-of-year rush is easily managed with sustainable organic herbs"

Queensland herb farmers face surplus amid stable demand and rising costs
Euro Gijbels

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

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

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

Grower increases rosmary acreage to fill shortages
Europe Retail Packaging:

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

Sector | Agenda

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Organic Produce Summit 2025 opens up retailer registration
We'll be back on January 2nd

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

Moldovan fruit growers investing in new varieties, advanced equipment, and packaging solutions
Today, December 19

Webinar on the state of the U.S. apple industry

Results of Hurricane Milton agricultural impacts assessment to be announced

Organicology 2025 set for March 2025

Photo report: Food Africa 2024 in Cairo, Egypt

Sector | Citrus

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Ringing in the New Year with mandarins
Uniterra Sicilia Group - Arancia Loretta: "We always stand up to the challenges"

"Our citrus fruits have not disappointed any of our customers"
Juan José Minguet, manager of Frutas Minguet:

"In the demanding clementine markets, interest in the Sando is growing every year"

Indian State government raises minimum support price for local fruits in 2024-25

Argentina's orange and tangerine production projected to decline in 2024–25 cycle

Alico exits Florida citrus farming amid declining production and hurricane impacts

Brazil’s lime exports down due to ongoing rain and lower EU demand

Sector | Organic

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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
Gunther De Vadder, BelOrta:

"Export market for organic pears yet to take off"

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

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

Sector | Health

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

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

Capsaicin shows promise in enhancing mesothelioma treatment, study finds

Study shows almonds may enhance post-exercise recovery

Recent research indicates daily consumption of pistachios may benefit vision health

Manchester men shine in health survey with high fruit and veg intake

Connecting with registered dietitians to help boost produce consumption

Sector | IT

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

Simplifying supply chains in the produce industry

Leadership transition for ZAG Technical Services

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

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

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

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

Sector | Innovations

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Nitrosfera Project, coordinated by Proexport

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

A quantum of solace in the war on pests

CRISPR technology transforms mustard greens, paving the way for innovative crops
Duwan Jackson - DFM Technologies

Soil conditions and irrigation affected by a changing climate

Varieties more resistant to climate change thanks to artificial intelligence?
Dr Vernon M. Steyn - Insect Science

Mind control over insects

Polybee introduces drone-powered pollination to boost horticulture efficiency

Sector | Processed fruit and vegetables

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Roastables Ready-To-Roast Kits earn Joe Nucci Innovation Award
Mattia Giudice, export manager of Arc en Ciel

Scientific research in support of healthy organic productions

Nonprofit partners with brand that upcycles produce
Bavaria:

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

“This potato wholesaler has ventured into artisanal chip production”

Pure Harvest announces launch of its own tomato sauces

Acquisition in California sun-dried market

Sector | Cooling

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Seacube and Greensee partner to change refrigerated transport solutions

Greenbushes cold storage facility boosts Eastern Cape agriculture and exports

North Carolina pilot reduces cabbage shipping costs with electric refrigeration

Refrigeration giant Americold closes 's-Gravenzande branch

Expansion of temperature-controlled logistics in Chile

Emergent Cold LatAm boosts colombia's cold storage capabilities with expansion
FOOD freshly -

Nature-based shelf-life solutions to be showcased in Madrid

Sector | Food safety

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Biosecurity New Zealand intensifies response to Oriental fruit fly detection in Auckland

Braga Fresh issues advisory for expired Marketside broccoli florets over Listeria risk

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

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

Dominican Republic eradicates Mediterranean fruit fly with sterile insect technique

E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s onions ends with 104 cases and 1 death

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

Sector | Nuts and dried fruits

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End-of-year festivities boosted Medjool sales

California almond growers face export setbacks from tariffs in key markets

California pistachios thrive as drought-resistant crop and global export leader

"We will prioritize the Moroccan market this Ramadan"

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

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

California almond growers adopt stacked regenerative practices with new research initiative

Sector | Packaging and Labelling

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"Successful implementation of electronic shelf labels (ESL) at De Mooij Amsterdam"

"Digital price cards enhance efficiency and save time"

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

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

Cartonpack acquires majority stake in Fimat to expand fiber-based food packaging in europe

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

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

Sri Lanka addresses post-harvest losses in fresh produce through improved packaging solutions

Sector | Retail

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Kroger pledges $1M to support families impacted by Southern California wildfires

Target has organic produce in its sights
Dreamstime
UNFI will realign its commercial wholesale organization into 2 product-centered divisions

Albertsons Companies posted strong earnings in its Q3 financial report
Dreamstime
Kroger’s Simple Truth Rescue bundles: Get Your Veggies Bundle

Trader Joe's: 12 new stores are opening soon
Dreamstime
H Mart: New stores in Massachusetts and Illinois

Just Eat Takeaway.com has completed the sale of Grubhub
Dreamstime
Ahold Delhaize banner store reintroduced the Healthy Living Center

Walmart is remodeling the produce sections of its stores
Dreamstime
Samsung Electronics announced a multi-year partnership with Instacart

Carrefour Brasil has sold 11 Nacional supermarkets

Sector | Global Market

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GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW ORANGES

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW PEARS

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW GRAPES

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW GARLIC

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW PAPAYAS

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW TOMATOES

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW MANGOES

Sector | Climate

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Produce shipments continue to move amidst fires affecting Los Angeles County

Catastrophic wildfires in Southern California burn out of control

Logistics contending with major U.S. storm

Climate change threatens apple production in key U.S. growing regions, study finds

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

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

Earthquake strikes in northern California

Sector | Cartoons

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Why Christmas trees were once decorated with apples

Durian-themed hotel in Malaysia opened
AI

Suffolk tomato factory lights mistaken for northern lights
AI

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

Osaka zookeeper accused of stealing animal food
AI

Pizza Hut introduces tomato wine
AI

Man identified by orange juice sentenced for burglary