"If we get this situation again in another year, many growers will stop planting raspberries for the fall"

The berry campaign is underway in Huelva, with a difficult situation for raspberries and still limited volumes for strawberries, the most representative fruit in terms of production of this fruit category in Spain. "Last year was already difficult for Spanish raspberries, with pressure from the Moroccan and…

Peruvian blueberry exports to the United States increased by 30% in 2022

Peruvian fresh blueberry exports between January and September of 2022 surpassed 772.4 million dollars, i.e. 30.2% more than in the same period of last year. According to the…

The area devoted to raspberries in Huelva decreased by 7.5%

Berry producers in the province of Huelva planted berries in 11,802 hectares for the 2022/2023 campaign, i.e. 0.53% more than the 11,740 hectares devoted to berries in the…

"Supplying a market ‘hungry’ for cherries while finding new markets is a challenge"

As Chilean cherries, blueberries and soon table grapes will be on the way to world markets, recovering from the Covid-10 pandemic as well as a global recession are still concerns for the Association of Fruit Exporters of Chile (Asoex). According to Iván Marambio, President of Asoex: “The threat of the…

The blueberry industry prepares to meet at the International Blueberries 2023 Seminars

According to estimates by the International Blueberry Organization, blueberry production will reach 3 million tons in 2025, noting that this projection may differ if changes…

Hi-tech New Zealand strawberries on the horizon

New Zealanders will be able to enjoy spray-free strawberries grown through a hi-tech new system almost all year round through a Government-backed pilot project based in…

Peru exports fruit worth $5.3 million to Saudi Arabia

Peruvian exports to Saudi Arabia increased by 24% reaching $8.3 million between January and September 2022, led by agricultural goods of $5.3 million. Fresh grapes worth $689 000…

Will the Haskap berry be a buzzword in 2023?

In 2023, Haskap Quebec will be focusing its efforts on marketing this more delicate Canadian berry. “This year, the association in Quebec focused more on developing the association, and we put aside marketing the fruit. But that will start next season when our marketing will target the fresh season,”…

The Marimbella strawberry has seen an exponential growth after 2020

"We are experiencing a period of great change in the strawberry industry. For this fruit, demand is no longer seasonal, but has become steady throughout most of the year. In recent years, the varietal offer required segmentation in order to be able to offer the producers new solutions, useful to better…

Now new imported soft fruit packaging line

The Greenery Softfruit introduced a new soft fruit packaging line at the beginning of the year. It proved very successful during the Dutch season. Thus, based on market demand, during the import season, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries are also available in open 125g trays from now on. "In the Dutch…

Strawberries influx increases at APMC

Mahesh Mundhe, Joint Secretary of the Fruit and Vegetable Merchant Association stated that the supply of strawberries was poor during October. Now the temperature in the…

Later volume on Florida strawberries meets “outrageous” demand

Strawberry supplies are starting to come out of Florida. Bova Fresh is just beginning its program with bare root plants, though Bova’s Robert Wilhelm notes that some plug plant programs are going in Florida. “We’re a few weeks away from any real volume. We have another farm coming online on the 15th so…

Berry grower/shipper offers expanded scholarships for 2023

Bobalu Berry Farms Managing partners established an annual scholarship in 2022 to celebrate 60 years in business honoring their grandparents. In 2023 Bobby and RC Jones are expanding the program to support additional students.  Graduating high school seniors in Ventura County benefitted from the company’s…

"Quality increasingly taking precedence in this overfull blueberry market"

When it comes to South American blueberries, it seems the emphasis is increasingly on finding new, productive varieties. "We have to adapt to a new world, and variety innovations can help you maintain your position in a changing global market," Andrés Armstrong, Chilean Blueberry Committee, told the…

First "Blueberry Express" to depart from the Port of Coronel to the US

A piece of good news for the Chilean blueberry industry is the start of exports, through the first refrigerated ships of the "Blueberry Express" service, operated by Cool…

Another 680 Moroccan seasonal workers will be recruited for Huelva's red fruit campaign

Cooperativas Agro-alimentarias de Huelva will hire more than 680 women from Morocco to help in the 2022-2023 strawberry and red fruit campaign. This will be done through…

"Spanish and Greek producers have reported the same quality issue in strawberry plants"

Producers in the province of Huelva, such as Simone Pierini in Lucena del Puerto, have started to harvest the first strawberries of the season. "Specifically, producers have started harvesting the earliest potted varieties. We have planted Agrom Berries plants from Poland produced especially for the…

Strawberry farm to reuse rainwater to curb flooding

The seasonal heavy rainfall received by a large strawberry farm in Benguet province will soon be collected, after which it will be ‘injected’ back into the aquifer of the town…

"There is a massive amount of pineapples that will be ready to harvest in February across the industry"

A Queensland pineapple grower is expecting supply to be impacted in the next few months as weather issues catch up, leading to a glut of fruit in late summer followed by low volumes heading into winter. While Piñata Farms' pineapple production has been fairly solid all year, Managing Director Gavin Scurr…

New technology enables real-time monitoring to determine the quality of the coveted Chilean fruit

The cultivation of blueberries is in fashion and is required by countless consumers around the world. This has prompted the incorporation of technology in the fields, such as…

"There are efforts from all the actors and a common view of the country to improve logistics this season"

Iván Marambio, the president of the Association of Fruit Exporters of Chile (Asoex), maintains that the main problem of the past export season was the logistics crisis. “The…

Wet weather affects Victorian cherry and berry season

Continuing rains over the past month have resulted in a tough start to Victoria's cherry and berry season. Growers have been struggling against poor-quality and dying trees,…

This year's first of Qingpu District strawberries are hitting the market

Qingpu District is the westernmost district of Shanghai Municipality, Here, the strawberry season has started, with this year's first batch of strawberries grown in the…

2022 North America cranberry crop offers modest improvements over 2021’s crop

This year’s cranberry crop has improved over last year’s. However, not as much as growers had hoped for. Following last year’s disappointing crop, the August forecast for this year predicted higher numbers. “The indication is that the “breadbasket” of cranberries, Wisconsin, was a little disappointing…

Changing climate: Not all bad news for Maine blueberry growers

Maine blueberry grower Courtney Hammond spent the past summer developing a makeshift irrigation system, using sprinkler heads and hoses that he scraped together. “Two pumps…

Argentinian blueberry exports decrease as the world's blueberry consumption increases

In the last five years, blueberry consumption has grown exponentially throughout the world and there are new markets to supply, such as China, India, and the United Arab…

"Effect of lower Dutch strawberry supply is being felt; Egyptian ones in greater demand as that season starts"

The new Egyptian strawberry season started at LuBa Fresh last week. "We receive shipments three times a week, exclusively by air," says this Dutch company's Lucien de Wit. "The pandemic made that tough last year. The high air freight rates from Egypt will make this year challenging too." Yesterday's…

Total global blueberry shipments from Argentina at 4.228 tons until now

In week 47, Argentine blueberry shipments to the US amounted to 67 tons, of which 62 were shipped by boat. Weekly Argentinean blueberry arrivals to the US for 2022 / 2023 up til now amount to 1.173 tons, shipped by boat and air almost 50-50. This year's shipments to the UK only amounted to 38 tons so far, but continental…

Hortifrut grows its quarterly income by 19% thanks to dynamic blueberry offer

A strong rise in the sale of fresh fruit has given the world's largest blueberry marketer, Hortifrut, a dynamic boost, adding revenues of US$ 627 million in the first nine…

High demand for Egyptian strawberry plants

The high demand for strawberries and their adoption by growers has stimulated seed producers, one of which in the Arab region is the Egyptian strawberry Fayruz Nurseries. Mr. Emad Mahdy, owner and operator of Fayruz Nurseries, said, "We are the first nursery in Egypt to be licensed and accredited to export…

"Almost no Hoogstraten strawberries until March; after that, there may be a surplus"

This winter, there will be almost no Hoogstraten strawberries in European stores. "We usually have several growers going through, but this year, due to the all-too-familiar reasons, there are only two," says Michiel Vermeiren of Coöperatie Hoogstraten. "That's a pity. Of course, we'd prefer things be…

“I don’t know how blueberry farmers are going to survive”

Rainbow Superfood’s blueberry farms in Rawsonville and Lambertsbaai in the Western Cape are commencing the harvest at a time when prices are slightly improving, after a dreadful season in which growers have been selling their blueberries at far below cost price just to keep programmes going.In both…

Blueberries will be the main focus at the next Macfrut

Is the growth of the blueberry so relentless? Is it still sustainable to have such fruit travel from one part of the globe to another just for the sake of having a tray in the supermarket counter even in December? What are the best varieties? This and many other questions will be answered during the…

USDA

US cranberry harvest expected to be 5 percent larger in 2022

With the 2022 US cranberry harvest wrapping up just in time for Thanksgiving, this year’s crop is forecast to be 5 percent larger than last year’s crop. The 2022 cranberry crop is estimated at 7.44 million barrels but is expected to be smaller than in any of the previous three years (2018–20). Cranberry production, as…

"The energy market's uncertain, so there's more weekly strawberry sales rather than fixed prices"

The Dutch greenhouse multiple strawberry crop season is nearing its end, and the first imported strawberries are entering the market. Sjraar Hulsman of Frankort&Koning takes stock. "Whereas in recent years, lit greenhouse strawberry cultivation expanded sustainably, growers are now taking a step back,"…

La Libertad leads exports of avocados, blueberries and asparagus

La Libertad is a region in northwestern Peru. Between January and September of this year, Peruvian avocado exports totaled US$911 million, of which La Libertad shipped US$299…

Blackberries and raspberries know no crisis

There are segments that know no drops in orders or in consumption despite the current period of uncertainty and economic crisis. One of them is that of berries. Alberto De Vincenzis is a sales manager at OP Terre della Luce, a producer organization from Basilicata that started the new berry season…

Aartsen: "Our branding key to growth in Asia"

"We import from and cooperate with farms in different countries to jointly develop markets. The farms are managed according to their own strict standards which are defined by the growers. We brand the high-quality harvests and import them into Europe and Asia," says Allen Wang, a representative from…

Senegalese mango exports decrease

Senegalese mango exports are down by 30% this year compared to 2021. Mr. Amadou Ndiaye Seck, General Manager of ANS Inter-Export, said: "Due to climatic phenomena, we experienced a late flowering of the fruits. This delay exceeded 30 days, which led to a loss of our market share. Exports of mangoes from…

Peruvian blueberry prices on world market lower despite 28% export growth

Despite the fact that Peru exported 28% more blueberries to world markets, average prices have been lower compared to last year. The country reached 33 markets with 217.000…

Volume reduction of Chilean fresh blueberry exports less than projected

Between January and October of this year, 90.645 tons of fresh blueberries have been exported from Chile, for a value of USD FOB 360 million. Compared to the same period…

Chilean blueberries, a superfood consolidating in the world

In recent decades, Chile has become an exporter of a huge variety of foods that currently reach more than 170 markets, complying with demanding production standards and world…

New Moroccan fruit exporters enter the European market

The 2023 season will see the entry of more Moroccan exporters of red fruits and avocados to the European market. The company Entrepôt Frigorifique Lexus, based in Larache in northern Morocco, will be joining the competition with a volume of 12,000 tons, half of which will be avocados, and the rest…

Blackberries having a good year so far

Blackberries are coming into a quieter time on demand which is meeting lower volumes in the industry. “Our suppliers have fruit. Historically the industry has less fruit at this time and it has been like that at this time of year for the last three or four years,” says Jose Saca of Wish Farms. “Crossings…

"Chinese cranberry production continues to increase"

The new season of fresh cranberries produced in China has been on the market since mid-September and is expected to last until April next year. The largest cranberry planting base in China is located in Fuyuan, Heilongjiang. It began to harvest on a large scale in 2019, and its production has increased…

Port diversification in Chile should lead to a much better 2022-2023 fruit export season

After a rather bad 2021-2022 fruit export season in Chile, things are looking better for the recently inaugurated 2022-2023 season, which had its initial act at the Terminal…

"One should not see Moroccan suppliers as competitors, but as an extension of the European market"

Europe remains one of the largest export markets for Moroccan soft fruit. This was explained by Nabil Belmkaddem from the North Moroccan BestBerry Cooperative at the last Global Berry Congress. "People should not see us as competitors, but as an extension of the European market." Moroccan production has increased…

The first strawberries are always eagerly awaited

"We didn't even have time to get organized. All the product that recently arrived from our growers had gone straight out the door in no time. In less than two hours we found a destination for our 300 cartons of strawberries," said Maria Ferrara (pictured here) of Italian fruit and vegetable wholesaler…

“Jammu farmers should increase diversification of crops”

Yesterday, Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture Production Department, Atal Dulloo said there is a great scope for the horticulture sector, especially the strawberry and…

Peru's blueberry area increased by more than 1,000 hectares this year

So far in the 2022/23 campaign, the volume marketed by the country has grown by 31% compared to the same period of the previous campaign. The country's blueberry industry…

"Antioxidants aren't a 'cool' story, but maybe we should compare them to the disadvantages of sweets"

Many sectors currently have to consider many factors and soft fruit is no exception. José Gandía (SAT Royal), Lisette Holmberg (ICA), and Jonathan Lock (Marks & Spencer) reiterated that at the recently held Global Berry Congress. They explained how suppliers and retailers must adapt to a new…

Blueberries will make it to Christmas tables, despite setbacks

The New Zealand blueberry industry is reassuring consumers that blueberries will indeed be available for Christmas, even though the season is off to a rough start with last…

South Australia's Fleurieu region growers are struggling to break even

Hail damage has devastated local strawberry farmers across the Fleurieu region. Recent storms across the peninsula will increase berry prices as growers and suppliers scramble…

Gaza strawberry farmers hope for a good season and more exports

It is strawberry season in Gaza. Aside from local markets, Palestinian farmers hope to export as much produce as possible to the West Bank and to Arab and European countries.…

J&K farmers are increasing revenues through strawberry cultivation

Strawberry cultivation is picking up in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, providing ample employment opportunities and an alternative source of income. Both the…

Lower world market prices for Peru’s blueberries despite 28% increase in exports

Despite Peru exporting 28% more blueberries to world markets, the average prices have been lower compared to last year. The country reached 33 markets with 217 000 tons of blueberries exported up to the end of last week (week 46), says Luis Miguel Vegas, general manager of Proarandanos. “We shipped 52%…

Peru's blueberry sector shows interest in four new markets

This season, Peru exported 217,000 tons of blueberries up until last week, i.e 28% more than in the same period of last season. According to the general manager of…

Berries aplenty in the Waikato

The berry season has arrived in the Waikato, producing blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries and boysenberries. Amongst the popular strawberry farms close to Hamilton is Ruakura Berry…

Berries now Tasmania's top crop

The Tasmanian fruit industry was the State’s leading growth driver for the food agriculture sector in 2020-21, increasing in value by an astounding 45%. At over $400 million, fruit is now the third…

Most of the world's raspberries come from Russia

Russia is quite a successful fruit-producing country. During its warm season, Russia grows sweet cherries, strawberries, apples, pears, plums, apricots, grapes, melons, and…

"Challenging pineapple market, less supply mean melon, strawberry sales more balanced"

Keelings International Ltd, a branch of its Irish parent company, has been based in the Netherlands for three years now. We spoke to Leon Hijweege and Ed Heijnen about the pineapple, melon, and soft fruit market developments. Ed Heijnen and Leon Hijweege PineapplesThe company bought a farm in Las Brisas,…

USDA

Peru is once again the main exporter of blueberries

The Association of Blueberry Producers of Peru projects that 276,938 tons of blueberries will be shipped from Peru in the 2022-2023 season. In this season's campaign - that lasted from May to October - the country dispatched 153.228.933 kilos of fresh blueberries for $843.725.006, that is, 31% more…

"The war means we're temporarily importing vegetables to feed our people"

The Russian invasion is greatly impacting Ukraine's blueberry traders. The war has now been going on for about nine months. At the latest Global Berry Congress in Rotterdam, Oleksandr Pukshyn of Blue Berry, a Ukrainian company, shared its consequences with the soft fruit world. "It's vital that we remain…

Mexico's first online supermarket delivers longer-lasting berries

SAVRpak, a food tech innovation company announced its moisture control technology that extends the shelf-life of produce up to three times will be made available through Jüsto, Mexico’s first online supermarket. Beginning in December, each clamshell of berry varieties ordered through Jüsto will include…

Organic strawberries and raspberries are grown in the highlands of the Tashkent region

Organic raspberries and strawberries of remontant varieties of foreign selection are grown on 4 ha in the Bustanlyk district of the Tashkent region of Uzbekistan, in areas located at an altitude of 1 500 m above sea level, EastFruit experts report. According to the press service of the Ministry of…

Argentina's blueberry exports halved in 2022

Argentina's blueberry forecasts are not positive for exporters this season. According to Alejandro Pannunzio, president of the Association of Blueberry Producers of…

Rain, hail and frost had minimal impact on Chilean blueberries

According to information provided by the Blueberry Committee of Chile-ASOEX, with the support of IQonsulting, producers in the Central and Central-South zone had impact from…

Researchers at University of Córdoba delve deep into genetic regulation of strawberry ripening

"Spain is the leading producer of strawberries in the EU, and the province of Huelva is the country's most important strawberry production area, accounting for nearly 95% of…

Freak hailstorm in Chile touches cherry, table grape and blueberry farms

Damage to early fruit in Chile is estimated to be about 10%, with the full extent currently being assessed, after a freak hailstorm, which touched some cherry, table grape and blueberry farms over the past weekend of Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 November. Rain, let alone hail, is most unusual during Chile’s…

Creating value with less: a hot theme at Global Berry Congress 2022

Climate change and geopolitical situations are creating challenges for many product groups, including soft fruit. These challenges took center stage yesterday at the Global Berry Congress 2022 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The event's -  organized by Fruitnet - broad international audience addressed these…

Moroccan strawberry and raspberry exporters brace for the off-season

After a long European summer, which delayed the European domestic strawberry and raspberry season, Moroccan exporters are waiting for the market to stabilize. Mr. Mehdi Benchekroun, CEO of the exporter DMB & CO, said: "We do not intend to compete with domestic European production since this requires huge…

California Giant Foundation donates $43,500 to non-profits

California Giant Berry Farms announced the distribution of $43,500 to 10 non-profit organizations throughout the Central Coast via its philanthropic initiative, The California Giant Foundation. The funds are a culmination of the Foundation’s fundraising efforts throughout the year—including its Skirt…

"Peruvian blueberry industry is not immune to domestic and international struggles"

Proarándanos, the organization that leads Peruvian blueberry industry, issued a statement in which they point out different aspects of a possible crisis in the industry,…

HANS KUFFER Fruchthandel GmbH

"This year's increase in acreage, coupled with the shortage of harvesters, could become problematic"

After the first arrivals in week 44, the Greek strawberry season is now gradually picking up speed, says Theo Hatzivassiliadis, direct importer and managing director of Hans Kuffer Ltd based at the Munich wholesale market. "Volumes are still relatively tight at the start of the season, but the demand is…

Dandong strawberries will be on the market in large quantities

The Dandong region of China is similar in size to Shizuoka County, Japan. It is located at 40° north latitude and has a unique microclimate. It is internationally recognized as the optimal growth zone for strawberries. The large temperature difference between day and night and sufficient light ensure the…

To meet consumer expectations, blueberry sorting must be consistent

"We want to supply consistent, nice-looking, tasty products that also transport well," begins Sukh Bubra, who owns Dr. B's. This company recently established a new blueberry growing and packing facility in southwestern Washington. "We had to improve our operational efficiency as we expanded our acreage…

Blueberry consumption rises due to consistent markets

Supplies of blueberries are very good right now. “We are seeing peak arrivals from Peru. More volume is coming in from Peru this year than last year due to new and maturing acreage in the country,” says Ryan Lockman with North Bay Produce. Peru began shipping blueberries in late June and will go almost…

"We are exploring the opportunities of growing avocados and blueberries in Ecuador"

Danper has committed to extending the season of different crops by expanding its production to other countries in the region. The company began to produce avocados in Colombia…

Chinese Haskap production is growing: "We now look for overseas markets"

Blue Haskap berries (also known as Honeyberries)  grown in colder regions is famous for its rich anthocyanin content and high pulping ability. The crop can only grow between 43°-53° north latitude, and is mainly distributed in the Northern regions in China. "Most of the Haskap berry bases are located in the northeast…

"We are very worried about the raspberry campaign and the growing competition from Morocco"

The Spanish raspberry campaign is facing even greater competition from Morocco than last year. Markets are saturated with supply and prices have plummeted. Meanwhile, there are still very limited quantities of Spanish blueberries available and producers are starting to harvest some extra-early strawberry…

Angus Soft Fruits now importing berries using reduced-plastic, cushioning punnet to improve quality and recyclability.

Angus Soft Fruits is now importing berries using a new reduced-plastic punnet that cushions the berries to improve quality and recyclability. Photo: angussoftfruits.co.uk  The company used the SPA Airlite punnet, designed by Sharpak Aylesham, for strawberries during their 2022-23 import season, starting with…

Chile: Frost causes losses of up to 100% in blueberry orchards in Ñuble

Serious damage to blueberry orchards in the Ñuble region was caused by the frost recorded on October 31. Losses in some orchards reach 100% of production, depending on…

Farmers doing well in India's ‘Strawberry Village’

The production of strawberries in the Kashmir region's Gassu village, known as India's 'Strawberry Village,' has received a boost from the national and regional governments.…

"A month later, we've had to replant up to 27% of the strawberry plants"

The strawberry planting in Huelva, which will turn the province, once again, into the largest berry producer in the whole continent, is being completed in early November, having started in October and without obtaining the desired results. "This year, we are having to replant up to 27% of the seedlings,"…

Morocco exports spurred by berries, mandarins, watermelons avocados and oranges

Morocco has become the 15th-largest fruit exporter in the world by value. According to the most recent estimates (2019) by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 66 percent of its land area is devoted to agriculture, with more than 7 percent devoted to fruit production.…

"Growing blueberries in Spain wouldn't have been possible without the contribution of plant improvement"

The National Association of Plant Breeders (Anove) stated that Huelva is the epicenter of Spain's blueberry cultivation, accounting for 97% of national production and…

Linton growing celebrates successful second season

Linton Growing, the containerised plant propagation business established by Clock House Farm in 2020 is reaping the rewards of its second year of providing soft fruit plants and trees to support the farm’s commitment to delivering fruit grown in-house from high quality stock, whilst also helping to meet…

China's strawberry market is on the rise year by year

The planting area of strawberries in China is increasing year by year. In 2011, the planting area was 78.1 thousand hectares, and it rose to 139.97 thousand hectares in 2021.…

Water Ways receives $579 million for blueberry turnkey irrigation project in China

Water Ways Technologies, via its 73% Chinese owned subsidiary, signed a contract worth CAD$770,000 (about $579 million) with a Chinese subsidiary of Driscoll's. The company…

"Peruvian blueberry shipment peak is over"

Recently, Peru shipped huge volumes of blueberries to the European market. That peaked in weeks 38 and 39. "But since then, those volumes have been decreasing weekly. If you extend that line, prices should actually rise, but everyone's still too concerned with what's arriving rather than with what will…

Despite the war, Ukraine reach record blueberry exports in 2022

According to EastFruit analysts, despite the invasion of the Russian occupation troops, their damage to part of the plantations in the central and northern regions of the country,…

The selection of workers in Honduras for Huelva's berry campaign has begun

The Secretary of Mobility and Migration Policies, and Secretary General of UPA Huelva, Manuel Piedra, together with the rest of the representatives of organizations in charge of managing the GECCO contingent, have begun their four-day stay in Tegucigalpa (Honduras) to select the male and female workers…

A&B Fruchthandels GmbH

"By the end of October, around 20,000 tons of frozen raspberries from Serbia were sold across Europe"

European raspberry producers had to struggle with a disastrous harvest in 2021. Balkan expert Andreas Arnold from A&B Fruchthandels in Esslingen informed us that sufficient volumes were available this year, especially from Serbia and other Balkan countries. However, the demand leaves much to be desired.…

Growers from seven countries on blueberry field trip to South Africa

Growers from seven countries visited blueberry testing sites of Plant Genetics in South Africa during October 2022. Top Fruit, who are licence holders in South Africa for the…

Fewer Biloxi blueberries and new premium varieties

The president of Inka's Berries, Carlos Gereda, announced that the Peruvian company plans to start shipping new blueberry varieties in the 2023-2024 campaign. "We'll be…

'Pride in producing prime strawberries'

On a gentle slope a short drive from the village of Clevedon, sits one of the two strawberry farms run by Kevin and Diana Gallagher.  As spring begins to take hold in the Auckland region, a backroad on the outskirts of Clevedon village sees an increasing flurry of traffic – especially on weekends, with the…

Peru could ship almost 300,000 tons of fresh blueberries in the 2022/23 campaign

According to the president of the consulting firm Inform@cción, Fernando Cilloniz Benavides, in the 2022/23 campaign, Peruvian fresh blueberry exports could grow by 36.3% in…

Lebanese fruit and vegetable producers approach the Arab Gulf market

Traditionally less competitive than their North African peers when it comes to achieving economies of scale, Lebanese fresh fruit and vegetable producers have long focused on niche markets and high-end products. Today, they want to take full benefit of their competitive advantages and do more business in…

'The challenges and solutions in selling high quality IQF berries'

Maintaining the natural appearance and shape of berries during the freezing process is of great concern to processors, as berries are very delicate. The reason for the difficulty of handling these berries can be found in the high water and sugar content of these soft fruits, OctoFrost marketing…

Mucci Farms to use dynamic grow lights for strawberry trials

Mucci Farms is looking to hone their expertise in strawberry cultivation by conducting onsite experimental lighting strategies under Sollum's unique dynamic LED grow light fixtures at their 72-acre Boemberry location. A trusted source for quality strawberries grown in Kingsville, Ontario, the team at…

Berries Australia announces changes of the guard.

Berries Australia and the Australian Blueberry Growers Association (ABGA) both elected new leaders at their October AGMs. Anthony Poiner of SmartBerries has taken over as the…

UK: Raspberries see largest price increase this week

The average wholesale prices in England and Wales had a big increase in prices for raspberries this week. From 4,78 pounds to an even 10 pounds, meaning a 109% increase. For…

Photo courtesy UC Davis

Knapp awarded grant to advance strawberry breeding

The Strawberry Breeding Center in the UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences has landed $6.2 million to study how to use breeding and genetic information to protect strawberry crops from future diseases and pests. The four-year grant from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture will address…

Egyptian strawberry producer achieves production leap

The Egyptian strawberry brand "Mozare3" started its venture a little over a year ago. The company's business model is based on contracting small producers and providing them with engineering support and a marketing umbrella. Mr. Ahmed Elkot, strawberries crop manager at Mozare3, said: "We have grown from…

Dynamic grow lights chosen as solution for strawberry trials

Mucci Farms are looking to hone their expertise in strawberry cultivation by conducting onsite experimental lighting strategies under Sollum's unique dynamic LED grow light fixtures at their 72-acre Boemberry location. A trusted source for quality strawberries grown in Kingsville, Ontario, the team at…

Agroberries to invest ~€40 million to expand farming operations into Morocco and support European growth

It was announced today that Agroberries Limited, a global vertically integrated producer, marketer and distributor of berries with a best-in-class portfolio of owned and…

Pricing to pick up on raspberries

Raspberry pricing is starting to strengthen. “We’re seeing a little bit of a change with greater demand and a lift on pricing that we expect to continue over the next month or so as we go into promotions for Thanksgiving,” says Ben Escoe of Twin River Berries. He notes that there will be ample supplies…

New blackberry and raspberry launching in 2023

Mastronardi Produce is well-known for their greenhouse-grown vegetables, and their portfolio over the past years has grown to include berries as well. In 2018, Mastronardi Produce formed a partnership with BerryWorld — a leader in the European berry market with award-winning, proprietary berry varieties…

Strawberry transplants facilitated by soilless technique

Concetta Nicodemo is a 78-year-old lady who is still growing and harvesting strawberries after dedicating her whole life to agriculture. Concetta was the first laborer and founder of one of the best-known businesses in Metapontino, Nicofruit, which currently dedicates 50 hectares to strawberry…

Driscoll's completes acquisition of Berry Gardens

Driscoll’s has completed the acquisition of Berry Gardens Limited (BGL), the sales, packaging and distribution entity of Berry Gardens Growers Limited (BGG). Driscoll’s has fresh berries grown in more than 21 countries and sold in more than 60. Berry Gardens Limited is a UK supplier of berries and it has…

Peruvian blueberries arrive in Jordan

Complejo Agroindustrial Beta made its first shipment of blueberries to Jordan in the 2022/23 campaign, adding a new destination market for Peruvian fruit. The company shipped…

Chilean scientists work on chemical to avoid losses due to frost

Crop protection is a permanent challenge for agribusiness, especially when it comes to spring frosts. In Chile, this phenomenon has generated losses between US$130 and 320…

Update on British Columbia 2022 cranberry harvest

The B.C. cranberry harvest season is nearing completion and the crop is looking great. “We are wrapping up another successful harvest,” says Kalpna Solanki, chair of the BC Cranberry Marketing Commission. “Yields are a bit lower than last year however, fruit quality is excellent.” Ocean Spray is a grower…

Argentina sports “Better with blueberries” campaign for sixth consecutive year

For the sixth consecutive year, the Argentine Blueberry Committee is focusing on the ‘Better with Blueberries’  campaign, an initiative that has a very clear objective: to promote…

New Zealand farm focuses on green power and more labor

Lewis Farms is a berry and asparagus farm north of Levin. The farm has around 250,000 strawberry plants. Now, a planned expansion will push that up to 400,000. Also, its…

Climate change could severely hamper Queensland fruit cultivation

Some experts claim that rising temperatures could endanger Queensland-grown strawberries. According to cropping expert Paul Gauthier, rising temperatures meant the popular…

Grafik: BLE

'Domestic apples dominated the market'

Domestic apples dominated the market: Elstar, Jonagold and Boskoop predominated. Braeburn and Pinova came next, in terms of relevance. Topaz gained in importance; they were offered in Frankfurt in 120 kg large crates. Golden Delicious, Granny Smith and Royal Gala were the main varieties from Italy.…

"We are expanding the blueberry production in Huelva, adding value and offering a better service than that of overseas imports"

The first extra-early blueberry harvests started in Huelva in September, with limited quantities that will not increase until December. Onubafruit, which last year launched its own program of exclusive blueberry varieties to allow Huelva's production schedule "to gain ground" on imports from the southern…

"There are market opportunities for inferior quality berries too"

A considerable blueberry supply, primarily from Peru, is making its way to the European market. Ideally, they will all be in perfect condition when they arrive, but in reality, that is slightly more nuanced. That is why, 18 months ago, the Dutch company Fruit Cleaning Service was born. By now, everyone knows…

Peru remains global no 1 blueberry exporter in 2022

According to projections by the Association of Peruvian Exporters (Adex), Peru will hold the first position as global exporter of blueberries for fourth the consecutive year.…

Australia: Heatwave is bringing strawberry season in Far North to an end

Across Queensland, farmers are battling unseasonable weather. The Bureau of Meteorology is warning of possible crop losses and more extreme weather. A heatwave is bringing the…

South African blueberry industry makes up for lost time

The South African blueberry industry is making up for precious time lost during the recent port labour strike action. This weekend 3,500 tonnes of blueberries left Cape Town for the United Kingdom and Europe. “While this is a significant volume in the South African context, it is a volume that can…

Oregon Governor Brown promotes blueberries during trade mission to Asia

Oregon Governor Kate Brown recently returned from a 12-day tour in Asia. During her trade mission, Brown visited Japan and South Korea, aiming to bolster trade ties. One of…

Finalized the distribution of strawberry seedlings in Italy, Spain, Morocco and Greece

The distribution of strawberry seedlings belonging to Nova Siri Genetics cultivars in the different Mediterranean areas ended a few days ago. Licensee plant nurseries have spread the propagated seedlings in high altitude nurseries located across Spain and Poland to farmers in Italy, Spain, Greece and…

Blueberry cultivation in Australia has a bright future

In May, a blueberry variety bred in Australia was awarded an overall score of 91.8% and bestowed -by the International Taste Institute - with a three-star Superior Taste…

IFC and FMO invest in United Exports to create jobs and strengthen South Africa’s blueberry sector

IFC and the Dutch entrepreneurial development bank (FMO) today partnered to provide funding and advisory support to United Exports Limited to help the company increase…

Moldova: Frozen raspberry producers cannot sell their stocks

Officials from berry producer association “Pomușoarele Moldovei” claim there are currently about 85-100 tons of frozen raspberries in the various warehouses. Producers would…

Strawberry season shortened, more product on the market at the same time

Strawberry growers are facing huge cost increases, which will make them adjust their growing strategy for the coming season, and consumers will see their wallets emptying,…