Anticipated apple exports from Brazil fall short

Despite challenges faced by some of Brazil's main competitors in apple production, such as Chile, New Zealand, and South Africa, the expected increase in Brazilian fresh apple exports for the 2022/23 season did not materialize as anticipated. Industry experts consulted by Hortifruti Brasil attribute this…

"Our stocks of apples sold out about a month ago"

Some Polish exporters have already sold their entire apple stock for the season. Mohamed Marawan, owner of Polish apple exporter Sarafruit, states he’s not fond of storing apples in cooling chambers: “At the beginning of the Polish apple season there was strong demand, after a while the demand slowed…

Family-owned fresh produce business celebrates 130 years in South Africa

The Dutoit Group is celebrating 130 years as a South African agricultural company. From Gysbertus du Toit settling on Kromfontein Farm in the Western Cape and planting the first fruit trees in 1883, to becoming one of the largest family owned fresh produce businesses, this agricultural investment company…

New marketing strategies proposed to strengthen British Columbia apple industry

It’s time to turn the ship around. That is the sentiment behind a pledge from the BC Fruit Growers’ Association (BCFGA) for new marketing strategies to help B.C.’s struggling apple industry. This follows developments in the industry in the last five years in B.C. “We’ve had some declining acreage because…

Stocks of Portuguese apples already reaching low point

The Latin American market has changed the outlook of the Portuguese apple season, says Joao Juma, export manager for Portuguese apple exporter United Growers: “Local apple stocks are starting to reach a very low point, as most of the Portuguese apple producers decided to take advantage of the good…

Apples and Poland? A perfect combination

The apple market is proving to be a steadily growing market. In fact, there is a positive trend in terms of value and quantity. The Italian company PND, specialized in the production and marketing of fruit processing machines, has dedicated an entire line to this delicate fruit. Daniele Mercurio Daniele Mercurio,…

Club apples compete for 'share of consumer stomach' in Italy

VIP, the Association of Fruit and Vegetable Cooperatives of Val Venosta, in October 2022, decided to entrust a dedicated manager with the development of the coordination of the growth of the "Managed Varieties" (the Club apples), in order to have an overview of each individual project. After just over a…

USDA steps in as much of the US is swimming in apples

For the second year in a row, Michigan is awash with apples, and the same is true for the eastern US market. That is why the USDA is stepping in with another purchase, hoping to reduce excess inventories and support farmers. It will spend $60 million for fresh apples and $40 million for processed apples…

2023 Maine apple yield down around 50% from historical averages

A snap freeze in late May killed budding apple blossoms across central and western Maine. Then, to make matters worse, freak hailstorms in July and August damaged what apples survived the freeze. That means that Maine’s apple growers are suffering from their worst harvest in over a decade. Between severe…

Ambrosia Gold 2023 apple harvest wrapped up

CMI Orchards has finished its Ambrosia Gold® apple harvest. Rochelle Bohm, vice president of marketing, underscores that Ambrosia apples consistently secured a top-three position in total branded apple sales for over a decade. “The very best Ambrosia are packed under our exclusive Ambrosia Gold label,”…

"Increase in demand for Turkish apples may start after New Year"

For one Turkish apple exporter, the Gala is already out of stock, as there was a lot of demand for this apple variety according to Mehmet Çakmak, sales and marketing manager for Turkish fresh produce exporter Ani Tarim: “Our apple season has started in August with the Gala variety. Due to high demand,…

Snack-sized apple Rockit Global is expanding into the South Island

Apple business Rockit Global is expanding into the South Island to build its growing base. The company has combined with the Turley family in South Canterbury’s Rangitata to put in an initial 20-hectare orchard. Rockit already has a base of about 850ha planted in Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne under company…

University of Maryland scientists work on heat resistant apples

University of Maryland scientists have developed red and yellow varieties of apples that are heat resistant, which will become increasingly important as the planet continues to warm. Professor Emeritus Chris Walsh, who helped to develop the apples: “These apples were bred for direct-to-consumer sales.…

"Latin America and Indonesia have opened up because their regular suppliers had smaller harvests"

Despite lower apple volumes being harvested in Europe, at the moment there doesn’t seem much more room for Polish apple exports on the European market, says Adam Malengiewicz, sales manager for Polish apple exporter Ewa-Bis: “So far, our apple season is going quite well. The fact is that apple sales have…

Eastern China's Weihai saw 14,000 tons of apples exported in Jan-Oct

The export of agricultural products from Weihai City, east China's Shandong Province, amounted to 12.27 billion yuan in the first ten months of this year, up 7.3 percent year on year. Among them, 14,000 tons of apples were shipped for markets around the world. Weihai apples become increasingly popular in…

Red Prince apple volume up another 30 percent in Ontario

The apple crop in Ontario is up about 1/2 percent over last year and about 15 percent up over the five-year average. “Ontario, Washington and Michigan have great crops while New York and Quebec have some some damage I think,” says Ken Lyons of the Blue Mountain Fruit Company in Thornbury, Ontario.“ While…

Australian apple orchard still going strong, 70 years on

The team at Bellevue Orchard at Officer has looked back at its long history as they celebrate 70 years of growing apples and 25 years of juicing. The team had a special celebration on Friday 24 November to honor their 70th anniversary. Rob and Joe Russo are co-owners and brothers; originally bought by…

Millions of US apples will go to hungry families

In Berkeley County, West Virginia, Carla Kitchen and her team is in the process of hand-picking nearly half a million pounds of apples. In a normal year, Kitchen would sell to processors, but not this year. For the first time in 36 years, she had nowhere to sell the bulk of her harvest. And she wasn't…

New varieties of Ukrainian apples are successfully exported

Ukrainian apple varieties, including Gala, Schniga, Schniko Red, and Red Velox, cultivated by the agricultural company "Agrarna Kompaniya 2004" in the Khmelnytskyi region, have made their debut in international markets. The harvest from newly planted orchards is exclusively earmarked for export, with…

"If these apple varieties get more expensive, demand will only get weaker"

Polish apple exports are slowly picking up the pace again after a slow November, says Aniruddh Ramesh, director of Polish apple exporter LVMG Grupa: “The season started on a very high note to all export destinations and slowed down from November. But it has very gradually started picking up pace again,…

Stanley growers say summer and autumn crop is looking good, chestnuts too early to tell

According to Don Nightingale, the fruit set of Nightingale’s Apples is strong: “We’ve got nice crops, looking good. The drier season is definitely more favorable for growers.” However, he added it is too soon to tell for chestnuts, as they have not begun flowering. Although the trees are healthy, a late…

"Despite better prices, Jonagold consumption still lags"

The next few weeks will be a peak time for BelOrta's Appelsintjes. The Belgian cooperative introduced this special packaging last year to draw extra attention to local top fruit around the holidays. Despite the better pricing situation, though, BelOrta's Glenn Sebregts sees the consumption of Belgian Jonagold still struggles. "People prefer other fruits, like citrus…

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November hail causes irreparable damage to fruit crops in Santa Catarina state

November brought with it not only the traditional rains of the season, but also an unexpected meteorological event that left a trail of destruction in Santa Catarina fruit plantations. Local fruit growers suffered severe losses. According to surveys carried out by the Santa Catarina Agricultural Research…

Challenges and prospects in Southern Russian horticulture

Horticultural enterprises in southern Russia face challenges this year due to unfavourable weather conditions, leading to reduced yields and fruit quality. Increased costs for agricultural machinery, fuel, and fertilizers have lowered the industry's profitability to 12%. The shortage of fruit storage…

Lidl tops British apple month sales as Tesco falls short of 2022 performance

British Apples & Pears Limited (BAPL) has published sales figures for October 2023, which was British Apple Month and the first month proper of the British apple season. In October 2023, Lidl significantly outperformed its market share, buying 3,030 tons of new season British apples via BAPL members.…

Poland to start exporting apples to Indonesia in 2024

Poland has been attempting to get its apples to Indonesia. It will likely have the maiden export next year. According to Jacek Kolomyjec, the Jakarta bureau chief at the Polish Investment & Trade Agency, Poland had been in talks with the Indonesian Agriculture Ministry on the apple export plans. Polish…

Apple farmers protest governmental policies in Srinagar

This weekend, activists of CITU and Jammu Kashmir Apple Farmers Federation held a demonstration against the ‘anti-people, anti-worker and anti-farmer policies of the government’. Addressing the demonstration, CITU President Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami expressed serious concern over problems being faced by…

Apple association hosts harvest wrap-up webinar

USApple is holding a free 45-minute webinar which will be presented by Chris Gerlach, director of industry analytics for USApple. The webinar will be on December 19 at 3:00 pm EST. Gerlach will review the latest storage reports, helping the industry recalibrate for the remainder of the marketing year.…

Premium apples from Ukraine, designed specifically for consumers from Uzbekistan

The Sady Dnipra company was the first Ukrainian company to develop an offer of apples custom-designed for the market of Uzbekistan. “Although this year we have no problems with sales of apples at good prices, thanks to the high demand for our products in the UAE, Singapore, and Malaysia, we noted growing…

"The PiqaBoo is a new pear, but actually it's a new type of fruit"

Fruithandel Wouters began sorting its new PiqaBoo® crop this week. It is the first fully-fledged crop, and the Belgian company sees plenty of potential in it. "Genetically, it's a pear, but when people taste it blind, no one says, 'this is a pear.' It's a new type of fruit," Kris Wouters begins. PiqaBoo®…

"Our fruit-growing sector has a wait-and-see attitude regarding the new top fruit season"

"There’s interest in top fruit trees, but the fruit sector is waiting to see what the new top fruit season brings," begins Raf Rutten, sales manager at the Belgian tree nursery Carolus Trees. The top fruit sector is facing a challenging time, he says, mentioning things like the high energy and labor…

Uruguay planning to scale up production for off-season pears

The first signs of Uruguay being able to produce 'Williams Precoz' ('Early Bon Chretien') pears during December as an alternative to imported pears has shown good results, according to Julio Pisano. He is a private advisor from the Pintado Growers Group in the Department of Artigas, Uruguay, “the goal…

Tajikistan reports bumper fruit harvest, but prices soar

In Tajikistan, the Ministry of Agriculture reveals a remarkable increase in fruit production, surpassing last year's yield by 47,000 tons. As of November 20, over 456,000 tons of various fruits have been harvested, with cherries, apricots, apples, plums, and lemons leading the surge in output. However,…

"As long as Italy's woes continue, Polish volume is no threat to Belgian pear production"

"The world and season looks much rosier for Belgian top fruit growers this year. The sizes and quality are good, as are prices for this time of year," begins Xavier Laduron, a grower who is responsible for Fairebel's fruit sector committee. "It's important to keep it that way so we can cover costs and maybe even earn a little. Then we can all look to the future." "We usually dare achiev…

Envy’s growing footprint expanded to help meet Chinese demand

With increasing global demand for T&G Global’s premium Envy™ apple brand, the company continues to invest in its dual-hemisphere multi-sourcing strategy, with the first commercially produced Chinese Envy to be sold in China this month. T&G Global Chief Executive, Gareth Edgecombe, says the opportunity…

"Prices of apples in India to touch an historic high this year"

India’s apple production has been 30 to 40 per cent lower this season. Prashant Gidwani, director at Indian fruit trader Fresh Fruit Alliances Pvt. Ltd., states that the weather has caused most of the issues. “Apple is a climacteric fruit that needs the correct physiological maturity. The abnormal warm…

"Too many apples on the Indian market"

After a good start for the Polish apple season, exports currently seem to have calmed down recently, according to Jakub Krawczyk, export manager for Polish apple exporter Appolonia: “The apple trade slowed down a bit in the last two weeks. Orders from Europe are not too big at the moment, we see that…

US apple prices plunged 7.9 percent in September to October period

According to the latest Consumer Price Index data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, from September to October, prices for various products in the US went up, but apple prices plunged 7.9%. This year, apples are plentiful thanks to great apple-growing weather in the spring. That, coupled with typical…

New marketing strategies to boost struggling apple sector

After some difficult years for Okanagan apple growers, the BC Fruit Growers’ Association wants to return to the growth, making sure the apple sector remains part of the economy. The BCFGA received government funding to engage an independent consultant, who has come with three suggestions to try help the…

Lake Ontario Fruit pushing for $5.5 million addition to Gaines facility

Lake Ontario Fruit is actively working on another expansion of the apple packing business on Route 104. The company is working on a 28,070-square-foot addition of controlled atmosphere storage. The new storage space is necessary as many of the new apple trees that were planted in recent years are coming…

Deepfake Photo

Hungry black bear picking apples

On November 3 in Georgetown, California, a black bear was recorded by Dayna Hawes' Ring camera, foraging for apples in her backyard. The bear, captured on film climbing and shaking an apple tree, was exhibiting behavior typical of hyperphagia—a feeding frenzy state common in black bears during fall, as explained by the…

Growers from South Canterbury enter apple orchard joint venture with Rockit Global

Turley Farms co-owners Murray and Margaret Turley have turned dryland crop and stock properties into high-value vegetable and arable operations. Now, after running a trial with various varieties, they’re investing in apple-growing and have settled on the fruit managed and marketed by Rockit. The Turley…

Landgard eG

Good quality and shelf life for apples

While the harvest of late apple varieties is coming to an end, Landgard member farms in the West are generally positive about the 2023 apple season. "The quality is very good and the fruit is beautifully coloured, stable and therefore also easy to store. The cold spring delayed the blossoming,…

“Our Chilean export of peaches and apricots should begin this season, following the Chinese inspections.”

Chile is one step away from being able to export peaches and apricots to China with Chinese inspectors currently visiting orchards in the South American country. This is part of the final verification step where after the first shipments can start. According to Iván Marambio, the president of Frutas de…

Kashmir apples see increased demand in Bangladesh

Currently, over 30 trucks laden with apples are leaving for Dhaka and other cities of Bangladesh daily from Kashmir. Some 12,000 tons of apples are exported to Bangladesh while around 8,000 tons are exported to Nepal. The apples are transported to Bangladesh along the border with West Bengal. Bangladesh…

Wild weather ride affects Minnesota apple volume

Following good spring bloom weather, Minnesota saw a roller coaster of weather events this season and in turn, its apple crop is down. “It was a difficult growing season,” says Aaron Brand of Brand Farms in Farmington, Minnesota. “We were very dry all summer--once we got into the middle of June, the rain…

Good demand from the Middle East for Greek Granny Smith apples

The harvest for the Greek apples is just about finished. According to Matoula Katsika, export and sales manager for Greek fruit exporter A.C. Kissavos, there are lower volumes available this season: “We have reached the end of this year's apple harvest season. As we can see from the quantities that…

Numbeo's ranking reveals global disparities in apple prices

Numbeo, a widely recognized database for global cost-of-living comparisons, recently released a ranking of countries based on the cost of apples. According to data analysed by Energyprom, a Kazakhstan-based agency, as of November 13th of the current year, Ukraine emerged as the country where apples are…

"Class I and II pear prices hardly differ"

Dutch top fruit market prices look good. "The strong Class II market is especially distinctive, and that price hardly differs from the Class I. That's truly unbelievable," says Aart Blom of the Dutch company FruitPartners Blom. "There's much more of a difference in apples. There, the Class II fruit…

Vacaria works hard to ship Brazilian apples to the world

Agropecuária Schio is one of the largest apple exporters in Brazil. The company has been part of Frutas do Brasil since the beginning, the internationalization program of the Brazilian Association of Producers and Exporters of Fruits and Derivatives (ABRAFRUTAS). Currently, the company exports apples to…

Controversial downward revision of apple production forecast for Moldova

At the final stage of the harvesting campaign in Moldova, the Moldova Fruct Association (MFA) has significantly reduced its forecast for the 2023 apple production in the country. Which came as a major surprise for the market participants. EastFruit recently spoke to many influential market participants…

"Polish apples getting more expensive by the week"

Polish apples are in demand all over the globe, says Aleksandra Pawlica, responsible for sales of Polish apple exporter Refal: “For us, the new season actually started only recently, in September. We’ve finished harvesting apples and are slowly starting to sell them. We continue commercial relations, but…

South African exporters open new cold storage facility in Kenya

Two South African fruit exporting companies, together with local Kenyan partners, recently opened the doors of a brand new cold storage facility in Kenya. The new facilities are worth US $1, 5 million and launched on Sunday, 22 October, 2023. Fruitbox Ltd., a Kenyan importing and distribution company, was…

Argentine apple and pear exports to Brazil skyrocket

According to data from the first 9 months of 2023 offered by the Argentine Chamber of Integrated Fruit Growers (CAFI), there's been a notable growth in apple and pear exports…

Apple production in China has increased in 2023

According to the USDA, in 2023 China harvested 45 million tons of apples, which is 1% or 500 thousand tons more than a year earlier. However, EastFruit experts note one nuance – the previous estimate for the 2022 production in China by the same source was much lower. In a report published on November 6,…

New UC studies estimate production and harvest costs for coastal apples

Two new studies that can help Central Coast growers and other readers estimate costs and potential returns for both organically and conventionally produced apples for processing were recently released by University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, UC Cooperative Extension and the UC Davis…

Organic top fruit: demand exceeds supply

"Demand for organic top fruit exceeds demand," is how René Laan, Stoker Organica's Managing Director sums up the market in late September. This Dutch company sorts, packages, and markets organic fruit. He is especially optimistic about the apple market. "The apple season got off to a rough start. There…

"The red pear market is growing"

"People shop with their eyes," declares Kees Oskam of Handelsmaatschappij Jan Oskam. This Dutch company focuses on exporting, among other products, top fruit, where there is an increasing interest in red pears. "The apple shelf has yellow, green, and red apples. With pears, there's never been that much choice, but a range with…

Adjusted forecast of apple production in the Republic of Moldova

According to the latest estimations made by Moldova Fruct Association, in 2023, about 505 thousand tons of apples will be harvested. The previous forecast was for 548 thousand tonnes. However, due to the lack of rainfall in August and September, the initially forecasted volume did not materialize, Iurie…

In the Komi Republic, tomatoes emerged as the leaders in price growth in October

In the Komi Republic, tomatoes emerged as the leaders in price growth in October, while cucumber prices experienced a decline during the same period. According to data from Komistat, food products saw an overall price increase of 1.3% in the tenth month of this year. This uptick affected various food…

"Fräulein is a German apple discovery and brand variety that is produced in all German growing regions"

The new "Become a Tasty Discoverer" campaign for the German apple discovery 'Fräulein' was launched in week 45. "Over 1.5 million apple trees have been planted in Germany so far. No further significant planting activities are planned for the time being. This is because we first want to build up and…

Improved weather means Moldovian apple production may reach estimated volumes

Despite the colder weather and rains, apple harvesting in some Moldovan farms is still under way. Considering the information obtained to date on the apple yields, experts from fruit growers’ organizations in Moldova are inclined to conclude that the initial optimistic forecast will most likely come…

"Positive sentiment on the top fruit market, with most spectacular Lucassen price development"

"Apple and pear sales have been good since off-tree sales," says Emanuel Sluis of the Dutch trading platform Service2Fruit. "That's true for all varieties, but Beurre Alexander Lucassen pears' price development is most spectacular. These were sold, off-tree, for €0.45, and now, their bin price is around €0.70." "It's the same with Conference pears. Fruit you don't want hanging on the tree…

Washington and Oregon fruit packers vote against creating union

In a recent vote, nearly 60% of approximately 330 fruit packers at Washington-based Mount Adams Fruit rejected joining the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) union. The vote, held over two days, saw 59% against unionizing and 41% in favor. Mount Adams Fruit operates in Odell and Dallesport,…

Late spring causes decrease in fruit production

The late arrival of spring caused a decrease in Turkey’s production and export of apples, pears, and table grapes in MY 2023/24. Table grape producers are having a difficult time fighting mildew disease, which was caused by delayed rainfall. Commercial growers continue to make on-farm investments to…

Price of purple star apples surges

Purple star apples, a Vietnamese favorite and a major export product, are experiencing a notable price surge of 30-40% compared to the previous year. Currently in season, type 1 (highest quality) is selling for VND90,000-100,000 per kilogram, a 40% increase. Oanh, a Ho Chi Minh City fruit store owner,…

Price of Kashmir apples drops as Iranian apples hit the markets

Farmers in Kashmir are expressing alarm as cheap Iranian apples flood Indian markets, causing a nearly 40% reduction in the rates of Kashmiri apples over the last three weeks. In response to this threat, farmers from Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand formed a unified group in 2021 to address the…

Rising prices at the apple auction in Italy

Markus Tscholl, who coordinates Asta Frutta Alto Adige, is delighted that the average selling price is higher than in 2022, thanks in part to better quality and larger sizes. The only downside is the two heavy hailstorms that hit Vilpiano (Bolzano) and the surrounding areas in the summer, which damaged a…

Tonik and Canopy apples receive positive feedback

On October 25th, in Seiches-sur-le-Loir (Angers), Dalival and its research and development station IFO organized a presentation of their new Tonik and Canopy apple varieties, as well as their latest rootstock innovation, the M200. The event was attended by 50 professionals: producers, technicians and a…

European sales season for red skin apples kicks into top gear

October marked the end of the harvest season of the range of coloured-flesh apples in the UK, France, Italy, Germany and Switzerland. This while the harvest of the Rouge variety, distinctive for its red skin and flesh, the Kissabel® sales season in Europe kicks into top gear. British partner Worldwide Fruit…

November apple storage levels up 32.4 percent over last year

According to a monthly survey, the total number of apples in storage on November 1, 2023, was 190.7 million bushels, 32.4 percent more than last November’s total of 144 million bushels and 19.8 percent more than the 5-year average for that date. Photo: US Apple Association Fresh apple holdings this…

Turkey sees an increase in prices for export-quality apples

Turkey is experiencing a dynamic increase in prices for export-quality apples, as local suppliers cannot satisfy all requests from potential customers. Wholesale prices for Red Delicious apples, which are actively exported to the Indian market, already reach $0.9 US dollars per kg. Prices for export…

"The funds the government is about to allocate are insufficient"

After the go-ahead of the Conferenza Stato-Regioni, the Minister for Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forests Francesco Lollobrigida announced that Masaf is ready to allocate €12 million for the pear and kiwifruit chains to counter the economic consequences caused by weather and natural events such as…

Securing apple of variety Almaty Aport: a geographical indication success story

This week, Kazakhstan's Justice Minister announced the official registration of the Almaty Aport as a national brand with a geographical indication. A geographical indication…

Deciduous fruit production is projected to remain steady year-to-year

Overall, Mexico’s market year (MY) 2023/24 deciduous fruit production is projected to remain steady year-to-year, with apple production increasing marginally, but from what is already estimated to be a large MY 2022/23 crop. Table grape production is projected to increase 1 percent. Mexico’s minimal pear…

Movement slowing down for Turkish apples

The Turkish apple export seems to have slowed down slightly compared to when the season started, says Okan Imancer, co-founder and export manager for Turkish apple exporter The Fresh Apple: “After a promising start with Gala apples, the current movement for Turkish apples is quite slow for Red Delicious,…

Controlled Atmosphere storage facilities game-changer for India apple growers

Controlled Atmosphere (CA) cold storage facilities have become a game-changer for apple growers in Jammu and Kashmir, addressing the challenge of the short shelf-life of their produce. Fayaz Wani reports that these storage units, introduced in the region in 2008, now number about 45, with the majority…

“This pear season could go either way”

“The pear season started calmly,” begins Randy Dijksman, account manager at Combilo – a Dutch fruit and vegetable importer/exporter. That is how he summed up the top fruit market in late September. Randy attributes most of that to speculation fueled by the previous, unusual season-ending. “Last season took…

"Why introduce all these new, foreign apples, when the Netherlands has robust varieties?"

This season's prospects for Maribelle apples look good. "There might be slightly fewer, but they're sweet, and this truly Dutch apple tastes fantastic," says fruit grower René Wellner. Yet he also sounds the alarm in this interview. "If plant protection products disappear at this rate, few apple varieties will remain to grow in the Netherlands. Even the Elstar won't last. Then w…

Dreamstime

UK apple growers to quit the industry if big supermarkets keep ‘squeezing' profits

UK's apple growers feel they are being 'squeezed' by the 'big six' supermarkets. According to a House of Lords hearing, some growers are receiving as little as 3p on a bag of six apples. The same bag will then be sold for £2.20 in the supermarket. One apple farmer in Kent – in the 'Garden of England' –…

Great year for Washington state apple crop

Many growers in the Northwest are very satisfied with their apple crops this year. Now, the industry will have be ready to find homes for nearly 140 million 40-pound boxes of apples out of Washington. Most apples are out of the orchards now and are being sorted and packed. Some will be put in storage,…

Saluting veterans with American Dream apples

CMI Orchards is excited to keep up traditions and let its dedication to the American Dream® shine this Veterans Day. A semi-truck emblazoned with “Honoring Our Soldiers” messaging pays homage to the brave people in uniform who defended our freedoms, says Bob Mast, CMI’s president. The truck will be part…

U.S. chief agricultural trade negotiator visits Pennsylvania apple orchard

Doug McKalip, the chief agricultural negotiator in the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), visited an apple orchard yesterday in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Ambassador McKalip toured Cherry Hill Orchards & Farm Market along with Jim Bair, president and CEO of USApple, and others in the…

Menyamya apple growers hold out for governmental support

This March, Prime Minister James Marape visited Menyamya district in Morobe Province. At the time, his visit raised the hopes of the apple growers there. We’re eight months on right now, but they are still optimistic that help will be coming their way. Apple production in Menyamya is picking up, but the…

Belarus's strategic approach to food security: Planning for 2023-2024 off-season

MART employs a systematic process, analysing three years of sales data, to establish stabilization funds. By calculating needs based on monthly averages, MART ensures…

Unexpectedly, prices for industrial apples started declining in Poland

According to EastFruit analysts, this week there was a sharp change in trends on the Polish industrial apple market, where prices had been growing rapidly for quite some time. On Wednesday, processors began informing suppliers about price cuts, although farmers expected prices to continue growing. At…

Russian apple harvest will remain at the level of last year

The Russian apple harvest is expected to match last year's 1.2 million tons, as reported by Tamara Reshetnikova, CEO of "Technologies of Growth." While regions like Lipetsk,…

Krasnoyarsk Territory imported more than 20.000 tons of imported fruits and vegetables

In the Krasnoyarsk Territory, more than 20 thousand tons of imported fruits and vegetables have been imported since the beginning of this year, according to specialists from…

"Apples from the plateaus have the advantages of sweetness and a fruity flavor"

The apple season in China is ongoing. In recent years, in addition to the traditional large-scale producing areas, plateau apples from Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan (such as Zhaotong, Weining, and Daliang Mountain) have attracted attention one after another. "Unlike the plain environment of the…

Increased apple volume expected out of Pacific Northwest

Apple movement out of the Pacific Northwest will be steady for the remainder of 2023 and through 2024, as the estimated industry volume for the 2023 crop is 139 million boxes of apples. That’s up approximately 30 percent over the 2022 crop year. “Like the industry, Sage Fruit will also see a significant increase…

Kanzi apple rapidly gaining global traction

As the holiday season approaches, CMI Orchards highlights Kanzi® apples as a choice for food enthusiasts in baked desserts and holiday treats. “The apple’s sweet, intensely tangy flavor and texture, which remains firm when baked and doesn't become mushy like other apples sets Kanzi apart,” says Rochelle…

"Sonnenglanz apples don't discolor and are suitable for people with apple allergies"

You could not miss Boer Gijs's yellow Sonnenglanz apples at the recent Zuid-Nederland fruit and vegetable trade show. "Many people think it's an overripe Golden Delicious, but when they taste it, they're immediately won over," Norbert Jongerius says, laughing. He and his brother Pierre have been…

Umlandt Obstgroßhandel GmbH

"The interim result is consistently positive"

In the last three weeks, demand for apples from the Altes Land region has gradually picked up, while demand at the start of the harvest was somewhat subdued, he says. "In terms of demand, we are still not at 100 per cent, but we are seeing brisk demand across all varieties, whether for Elstar, Braeburn…

USDA

India’s MY2023/2024 domestic apple and pear production forecast at 2.41 million tons

FAS New Delhi forecasts India’s market year (MY) 2023/2024 (July-June) domestic apple and pear production at 2.41 million metric tons (MMT) and 312,500 metric tons (MT), in anticipation of favorable weather conditions in Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. MY 2022/2023 witnessed severe weather, flash…

USDA

Domestic apple production of 1,406 MT remains relatively small

Taiwan’s MY 2022/23 apple imports were 131,252 MT and are forecast at 130,000 MT for MY 2023/24. The United States remains the largest supplier of apples by volume but the market share of Japan, New Zealand, and Chile are all extremely close behind. New Zealand’s tariff-free access and Japan’s high…

Dreamstime.com

Tons of apples washed up in Somerset due to storm Ciarán

Two tons of apples have been blown off the trees, ending up in the corner of the Somerset Cider Brandy orchard. The company, based near Martock, said it is now giving them away. The fallen apples were the result of the winds and floods storm Ciarán have caused. Matilda Temperely, from the cider farm: "We…

Sichuan apples to flood Zhejiang as two provinces sign agreement

The apple harvest season has begun in the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Garze, in southwest China’s Sichuan Province. The apples will be available in Zhejiang following an agreement between the two provinces. On November 2, orchards in Xiangcheng County in Garze and Hangzhou Jiuzhizhen Agricultural…

“Beware of over-optimism”

“The outlook is better than last year,” begins Tony Derwael of Bel’Export, who handles global fruit and vegetable trading. He is referring to the Belgian pear season, adding that picking is generally lower than the WAPA forecast. He expects the Belgian crop to be around 380,000 tons, about the same as last year. Tony sees the whole…

Bountiful harvest of Envy Apples expected for holiday season

With the holiday season nearing, Envy™ Apples expects to be the “Ultimate Holiday Apple.” This comes thanks to an extensive marketing campaign with Hallmark Channel, and also with the strength of a strong crop delivering quality and color. “From bloom-time onwards, weather throughout the apple growing…

"Mass switch to pear cultivation could eventually lead to a similar scenario as apples"

If we are not careful, the pear cultivation situation will end up the same as apples. That is according to Tony Derwael of Bel'Export. "This year's Belgian apple market situation is significantly better than last year. That's because growers in several European countries have switched, en masse, to pear…

USDA

Deciduous fruit production to rebound to 486,850 MT for apples and 625,400 MT for pears in MY2023/24

Experts forecast fresh deciduous fruit production to rebound to 486,850 MT for apples and 625,400 MT for pears for Marketing Year (MY) 2023/24. This is due to favorable weather conditions, which have restored yields from MY 2022/23. Apple exports are expected to increase to 81,854 metric tons, while pear…

USDA

Chinese apple acreage forecast to further decrease to 1.94 million hectares in MY 2023/24

Experts estimate China’s production of apples, pears, and table grapes to increase to 45 MMT, 19.6 MMT, and 13.5 MMT, respectively, in MY 2023/24. Apple imports will likely decline by 20 percent due to reduced supplies and higher prices in major exporting countries. Table grape imports will further…

“Demand for imported apples has skyrocketed in southern regions of India”

It’s been a very strong start for the Turkish apple season, despite some issues with the Gala variety, says Alper Kerim, owner of Turkish fruit exporter Demir Fresh Fruits: “The Turkish apple season started so fast compared to the previous years. The Gala variety had some problems regarding the sizes and…

Apple imports do not threaten Jammu and Kashmir industry

Import of apples from the US and other countries do not threaten the industry in Jammu and Kashmir, neither can it be stopped, a senior official of the horticulture department…

Dole and BFV Celebrate the 12th Anniversary of Belgian Conference Pears Introduction to China

Conference Pears catalyzed by Expo launch with sales acceleratedChina has a 3,000 year long history of eating pears and is the world's largest pear-eating and pear-producing country; China's per capita consumption of fresh pears exceeds 12kg, far above the world's average.(2020 FAO data). There are many…

USDA

NZ apple-planted area in MY 2023/2024 forecast to drop substantially

New Zealand apple-planted area in the 2023/2024 market year is forecast to drop substantially from 11,000 ha to 9,200 ha. This development results from the impacts of cyclone Gabrielle, which caused large scale floodwaters, silt, debris, wind, and surface flooding in the primary apple growing regions of…

Apple prices for processing are growing fast, worsening fresh market deficit situation

According to EastFruit analysts, global prices for apple juice concentrate continue to rise, stimulating processors to increase procurement prices for industrial apples. This, in turn, leads to an increased shortage of apples of low and medium quality in the markets of Eastern Europe. It should be noted…

"Dutch growers could earn a little extra this season"

In the Netherlands, top fruit harvesting has been over for a while at Van Blijderveen Fruit. "Cultivation-wise, we still rely on the old-fashioned Dutch varieties, with Elstar, Jonagold, and Red Prince forming the main bulk," begins Kees van Blijderveen. He is satisfied with how the harvest went. "If you…

USDA

Canadian pear production forecast to grow slightly on large volumes from Ontario and British Columbia

Canadian apple production is forecast to decline three percent in MY 2023/24 on adverse weather events across the main growing provinces. Pear production is forecast to grow slightly on large volume fruit in Ontario and a good crop in British Columbia. FAS/Ottawa forecasts production of table grapes to…

SA exports of deciduous fruit in MY 2023/24 to increase due to higher production

Despite industry consolidation resulting in limited expansion, deciduous fruit production is expected to grow marginally as plantings come into production. The production of apples, pears and table grapes is forecast to grow by 7 percent, 2 percent, and 8 percent respectively in MY 2023/24 based on…

AMA

Satisfactory 2022 fruit harvest, previous year's level exceeded

The Austrian fruit harvest from commercial orchards in 2022 was far more satisfactory than in previous years despite periods of drought. After two smaller harvests, an above-average harvest of 244,300 tonnes and +26% compared to the previous year was recorded for the first time again. Most of the fruit…

“We must bring French pears back to supermarket shelves”

France produces 50% of its needs in pearsThe French market has the capacity to be self-sufficient in terms of apple production, but the situation is quite different for pears. French supply remains below the national demand. “Generally speaking, French pear consumption is around 200,000 tons, depending…

USDA

Fresh pear production expected to decrease 20 percent in MY 2023/24

Korean fresh pear production is expected to decrease 20 percent in Marketing Year (MY) 2023/24 as adverse weather events struck orchards throughout spring flowering and into the summer. Supplies of high-quality pears are expected to be below average because of high rates of damaged fruit. Prices for…

Indian market open for German apples

German apples can now be exported to India. This marks the positive outcome of a long and intensive market liberalisation process. For a long time, local apples were not…

Black garlic, dragon fruit, apples and mushrooms exported from India for the first time

Indian Prime Minister Modi has inaugurated the second edition of the Mega food event ‘World Food India 2023’ at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. The event aims to showcase India as the ‘food basket of the world’ and celebrate 2023 as the International Year of Millets. Modi credited the…

New York fall apple harvest now shows the effects of spring weather

The apple season is winding down in New York’s Finger Lakes Region and growers might find less fruit than usual this year. How come? A warm spell in the early spring lured…

USDA

Commercial apple production MY 2023/24 forecast at 11,554,650 tons

Commercial apple production in Marketing Year (MY) 2023/24 (July/June) is forecast at 11,554,650 metric tons (MT) a drop of 2.5% compared to the previous year. The reduction is largely a combination of poor pollination, higher than normal physiological fruit fall in June, and drought and/or high…

Polish pear acreage sees 11 per cent increase

Despite Pear cultivation seeing a growth in Poland over the last few years, when looking at the last decade the acreage and production has actually dropped significantly. According to Emilia Lewandowska, office manager for Polish top fruit exporter Fruit-Group, more apple producers are diversifying and…

Volgograd's tomatoes have caught up with the price of imported bananas

Prices in the Volgograd region are steadily increasing, with vegetables experiencing a sharper rise than other products. According to statistical data, the weekly consumer…

"Good demand for Polish apples from UAE, India, Saudi Arabia and Egypt"

The Polish apple growers are switching up their varieties, and also planting new orchards, says Mohamed Marawan, owner of Polish apple exporter Sarafruit: “Acreage in Poland is definitely developing. Both in regards to completely new orchards, but also within orchards themselves. Some growers are…

"We want to turn a habit into a good tasting experience"

It is a matter of knowing, of being informed, combined with the sensory experience of culinary medicine and of the pairings of foods (the association of two or more foods according to their molecules, their aromas, their combinations, etc. ). Because apples are not just apples. Click here to view the…

Availability of Polish apples in Lithuania market

Prices at the Bronisze wholesale market in Warsaw, where Latvian traders source apples, haven't seen a significant increase. Notable varieties like "Antonovka," "Gala," and…

Okanagan Specialty Fruits appoints John Freitas

Okanagan Specialty Fruits® (OSF), the developer and grower behind the Arctic® apple varieties, is pleased to announce John Freitas has joined the company as vice president of…

Apple and pear harvests in Kuban have ended

The orchard workers are still gathering winter fruits, so the final figures are pending. October is the time for harvesting winter apple varieties. The work is extensive, with…

Apple company expands its grower base throughout New Zealand

The Kiwi company, Rockit Global Limited, is expanding its footprint across the country, with the first Rockit™ apples now growing in the South Island. Rockit Global Chairman John Loughlin says, in the next 20 years, horticulture has the potential to transform the rural Canterbury landscape. “Growing apples…

"The pear harvest in Italy was very poor this year"

At the end of August/beginning of September, Cavalleri Ettore at Munich Wholesale Market usually receives the first pears from Italy, but local weather conditions caused significant failures. "The pear harvest in Italy was very poor this year, which is why we already purchase goods from Spain. We still…

"Good Dutch pear demand, but we must keep sales moving"

Top fruit harvesting has begun at Van Kessel Fruit in the Netherlands. According to Jack van Kessel, apple and pear demand is, thus, starting to pick up, too. So, he is optimistic about the season but also warns: "The lots' quality differs considerably; we must be really alert to that. We must get rid of…

"Good apple market situation could attract Southern Hemisphere to Europe in spring"

The Belgian apple market's situation at the start of the season seems to be much rosier than last year. "It all looks pretty good. Current prices are excellent to work with, but you must remember to sell," says Wendy Bangels of BP Fruitcraft. Last year was disheartening when prices seemed just to keep…