"Almost all payments to Vietnam are still in euros and dollars"

Following the free trade agreement concluded between the EU and Vietnam in 2020, the import duty on 94% of Vietnamese fruit and vegetables was immediately reduced to 0% as of 1 August. A boost for the country, which, according to market experts, has the potential to become one of the most important fruit…

29,400 Valencian citrus farmers will benefit from 24.1 million in aid to alleviate the effects of the war in Ukraine

The Ministry of Agriculture stated that a total of 24.18 million euro will be allocated to the production of citrus fruits, which will benefit 29,400 citrus farmers in the…

"New Fairtrade rule is backfiring; it views issue from a Western stance"

Last week, we reported that a German retailer is going to use the Fairtrade strategy that supports living wages on plantations. Yet, according to a Dutch importer this…

Trade Integration Agreement between Chile and Ecuador enters into force

The Undersecretary of International Economic Relations, Jose Miguel Ahumada, and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade, Daniel Legarda, announced that the ACE 75 Trade…

Digital Agricultural Academy of Hungary to take farmers into new age

Farmers in Hungary are being taught how farming can benefit from the digital revolution through free online courses offered by the specially created Digital Agricultural Academy. The academy, housed at the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, in the first year of the project received, a…

"Agriculture must be the priority of the next government"

Today, Secretary of the Eastern Highlands Agricultural Society, Solepa Aganisafa, said that the next government formed after the 2022 National General Elections must make…

IrriGò - a management system for smaller companies

After the success of Irrifarm, the innovative complete system for the remote management and monitoring of irrigation and fertigation in medium-large companies, Pan Agri now introduces IrriGò, a model ideal for smaller businesses boasting the same functions yet with a reduced size. FreshPlaza has talked about…

Hortgro Board welcomes Unati Speirs as new director

Hortgro, the deciduous fruit industry body of South Africa, is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Unati Speirs as a new board director. She will be taking over the…

NFU Potato Forum presents new chair and vice chair

North Yorkshire potato grower Tim Rooke has been elected chair of the NFU Potato Forum. Tim, who farms 240 hectares of potatoes, also grows crops on 400 hectares of his farm.…

EFSA postpones its glyphosate assessment after receiving an avalanche of comments

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) received so many comments in its public consultation on the evaluation of glyphosate, in parallel with the European Chemicals Agency…

Rising Dollar puts Asia's banks on defensive

The dollar’s relentless advance to a two-year high is roiling Asian currencies and pushing policymakers into action to curb losses. From direct dollar selling to verbal…

South African plant improvement body plays the long game amid challenges

The SAPO Trust organisation was set up in 1974 with the aim of enhancing plant improvement within the deciduous fruit industry (the pome and stone fruit), the table grape industry, the raisin industry, and the canning industry.Shawn Coetzee, CEO of SAPO Trust, says: “South African farmers are very…

5000 Zambian farmers benefit from climate smart agriculture

The climate smart agriculture project in Zambia has begun to bear fruit with close to 5000 farmers in Mufumbwe district benefiting from tomatoes, green vegetables, egg plants, ginger, garlic, beans, groundnuts, potatoes, sweet potatoes, onions and bananas produced under the project. The project in Zambia…

Hà Nội supports farmers in digitalisation of production and sales

The application of digital technology to the production and consumption of products will help Hà Nội's farmers increase added value of agricultural products. To build a smart…

Worst locust infestation in 25 years hits Eastern Cape

The Brown Locust outbreaks in Southern Africa have not captured headlines in the same way as the desert locust in the Horn of Africa, and the Arabian peninsula has done.…

Food and Agriculture Ministry takes patronage of the "Experience your Local Market“ campaign

The Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture, Cem Özdemir, is taking over the patronage for "Experience your Local Market". The campaign, led by the German association GFI…

Orange growers appeal for board establishment

The Union of Orange Growers in the Muheza district, Tanga has asked the government to form an orange board, as other crops have boards, in order to rescue the crop from low…

Shaun Fogarty new CEO of Central Otago horticulture co-op

Former Royal New Zealand Navy Captain Shaun Fogarty is taking on a new horticulture role in Alexandra. He resigned from the military, a year early to take up the role of chief…

Ecuador: Bernardo Manzano confirmed as new Minister of Agriculture

The president of Ecuador, Guillermo Lasso, on May 2 confirmed that Bernardo Manzano will be the new Minister of Agriculture and Livestock. Manzano will be replacing Pedro…

Mission Produce appoints new President & Chief Operating Officer

Mission Produce, Inc., a prominent global company in sourcing, producing and distributing fresh Hass avocados with additional offerings in mangos, has announced that it has…

Ontario Fruit & Vegetable Convention elects new president and vice president

The Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Convention (OFVC) has elected a new president and vice president. Kelly Ciceran will take the place of president, while Doug Darling will serve…

"Outside of the nationals nobody has a plan"

Australia’s stonefruit growers have lost up to $70 million as a result of not having enough workers to pick, process and pack the fruit, according to the national stonefruit…

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"Labor’s Ag Visa plan does not go far enough in securing workers"

The Australian Labor Party’s announcement addressing the worker shortage facing Australian growers by reforming the Pacific Australian Labour Mobility Scheme’s Seasonal Worker Programme and Pacific Labour Scheme, does not go far enough to address the horticulture industry’s critical farmworker shortages.…

James Jackson pays tribute to former NSW Farmers president Peter Taylor

NSW Farmers President James Jackson issued a statement on the passing of former NSW Farmers President Peter Taylor: We are saddened to hear of the passing of Peter Taylor, an…

Groom named CEO of Florida's Natural Growers

Florida's Natural Growers is pleased to announce Mr. Christopher Groom has been selected as the company's new Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2023. Groom, the…

Fairtrade International announces Sandra Uwera as new Global CEO

Fairtrade has announced the appointment of its new Global CEO, Sandra Uwera. Ms. Uwera steps into the role following the departure of Dr. Nyagoy Nyong’o, who served as Interim…

Resignation Growcom Chief Executive Officer Stephen Barnard

The Growcom board wish to advise of the resignation of our Chief Executive Officer, Mr Stephen Barnard. Stephen will depart after leading Growcom during the challenging period…

'Creating values for the industry'

GLOBALG.A.P.’ s certification system is used in over 130 countries and is often described as the most widely adopted farm quality assurance in the fresh produce sector. We spoke with Senior Technical Expert René Capote and Team Leader of Key Account & Membership Management, Ben Horsbrugh, about…

Fruit Growers welcome disaster assistance support

Fruit Growers Tasmania welcomes the Australian and Tasmania Governments’ announcement to approve disaster assistance for hail affected Huon Valley fruit growers. Fruit Growers…

Zimbabwe joins Southern Hemisphere Association of Fresh Fruit Exporters

Nelli Hajdu, Secretary General of SHAFFE, recently announced: “We are very happy to announce the addition of Zimbabwe to SHAFFE, represented through the Zimbabwe Horticultural…

United Potato Growers of Canada hires new General Manager

United Potato Growers of Canada has hired a new General Manager;  Victoria Stamper of Mascouche, Quebec, a community just north of Montreal. Victoria will join United in this senior…

Calavo Growers, Inc. announces business reorganization

Calavo Growers, Inc. a global avocado-industry provider of value-added fresh food, today announced plans to reorganize its business to execute Project Uno integration efforts…

Fresh del Monte names Effie Silva senior vice president, general counsel

Fresh del Monte Produce recently announced the appointment of attorney Effie Silva as its new Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. Silva, who will…

Murcia eliminates all regional taxes on farmers for the duration of the war

At its extraordinary session on Tuesday, the Governing Council adopted a decree-law abolishing all fees for farmers, stockbreeders, transporters, and fishermen in the Region…

Timo Hansio appointed Managing Director of Kasviskonttori Oy

Timo Hansio has been appointed Managing Director of Kasviskonttori Oy, the new joint venture between HKScan and Vihannes-Laitila. He will take up the position on 12 April…

GB Potatoes appoints working group

GB Potatoes, the proposed new grower controlled industry body, has moved closer to becoming a reality by appointing a working group of nine stakeholders. It is also…

APM Terminals Lázaro Cárdenas announces new Managing Director

Current Head of Commercial for APM Terminals Latin America, Marliz Bermúdez based in Panama, will effective June 2022 assume the role of Managing Director of APM Terminals…

Morten Engelstoft to be succeeded by current COO Keith Svendsen

Morten Engelstoft, current APM Terminals Chief Executive Officer, has decided to retire. He will be succeeded in the CEO role by current COO Keith Svendsen, with Henriette…

A.P. Moller - Maersk announces new management of APM Terminals

A.P. Moller - Maersk announces that Henriette Hallberg Thygesen, Executive Board Member, will be appointed as new Chair for APM Terminals, and Keith Svendsen, currently COO in…

A new chairman for the NEPG

After 20 months of service as first elected chairman of the NEPG, the Dutchman Jaap Botma from Friesland stopped as scheduled. Jaap was an arable farmer (seed potatoes, sugar beets, onions, cereals…

Tom Chapman will replace outgoing CEO Laura Batcha in April 2022

The Organic Trade Association has announced the selection of its next CEO and Executive Director, Tom Chapman. The announcement was made during OTA’s 2022 Organic Week, which…

How to get the most out of a horticulture workforce in challenging labor times

With labor challenges impacting Australian horticulture, a leading glasshouse vegetable producer says a key to optimising and getting the most out of the workforce is providing an environment that is just as much about fun as serious work. Nicky Mann, WHS & Labor Manager from Family Fresh Farms on the…

'Weather-based financial protection for farmers'

Agritech startup nurture.farm and Digisafe insurance brokers announced their partnership on offering KAVACH - a weather-based cash guarantee program launched for nurture.farm…

New Managing Director for APM Terminals Moín

José Rueda Salinas to take over as the new Managing Director of APM Terminals Moin, succeeding Hartmut Goeritz, who moves to a new role in the organisation. Effective April…

South African citrus growers elect new chairman

An industry leader from the Eastern Cape has been elected chairman of the Citrus Growers Association. The citrus industry contributes billions to South African foreign…

Florida Research Order referendum slated for May

Florida citrus growers will be asked to vote in a May referendum whether to maintain the Florida Research Order. The order was established in 1992 to support efforts by the…

Vietnam joins the Australian Agriculture Visa Program

Australia has signed with Vietnam the first bilateral Memorandum of Understanding under the Australian Agriculture Visa Program. Vietnam’s participation in this program…

Govt. and carriers agree on a reduction in fuel prices

The government and the National Road Transport Committee - a body that does not include the carriers who organized the strike that has lasted twelve days so far- have reached…

Freshfel Europe welcomes EU measures to enhance global food security

Freshfel Europe welcomes the announcement from the European Commission on 23 March of short and medium-term actions to enhance global security and support European farmers and…

"We believe that carrying on with the strike would affect our farmers and exporters the most"

Thirty companies that transport fresh products from Almeria have signed a manifesto in which they announced that, despite supporting the sector's indefinite strike, they will…

Leadership changes at BayWa: CEO Prof. Klaus Josef Lutz nominated as future Supervisory Board Chairman

The BayWa Supervisory Board is taking steps to ensure continuity on the Group’s Board of Management and Supervisory Board by making changes to the company’s senior management team. Wolfgang Altmüller – the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Bayerische Raiffeisen-Beteiligungs-(BRB) AG. BayWa’s largest shareholder…

What is going on with the export of Moroccan tomatoes?

The Moroccan Government is trying to apply pressure on the local tomato prices, by stopping exports to European markets. With Ramadan coming up, the tomato is an important…

Martin Emmett elected NFU Horticulture and Potatoes board chair

West Sussex grower Martin Emmett has been elected as the new chair of the NFU Horticulture and Potatoes board. Martin is an ornamental plant grower and a director of Tristram…

"We don't only take care of payments, we also help clients hedge their commodities"

Global markets are currently under tremendous pressure. Political unrest, manufacturer consolidation, unprecedentedly high raw material costs, and an increasingly volatile international market are affecting markets as never before. StoneX, which specializes in cross-border payments to less common…

American Farm Bureau Federation EVP Dale Moore announces retirement

American Farm Bureau Federation Executive Vice President Dale Moore today announced his plans to retire in 2022 after four decades as an agricultural leader in Washington,…

JV Smith Companies names new president

JV Smith Companies has named Kristen Smith-Eshaya as its new president. Vic Smith will continue as CEO and chairman of the board. JV Smith Companies began with the formation…

Nutryfarm appoints new executive chairman

NutryFarm International has appointed Wu Yongqiang as its new executive chairman. It has also redesignated former chief executive officer (CEO) and chairman Terence Luk Chung…

Fruit and vegetables seek new perspectives for the European fresh produce sector in time of geopolitical turmoil

The fresh fruit and vegetables sector is exposed to unprecedented business conditions resulting from the combined effects of increased costs in the aftermath of the Covid-19…

La Unió requests EU suspends imports of Turkish fruit and veg due to high number of health alerts

La Unió de Llauradors has asked the European Commission and the Government of Spain to suspend Turkish fruit and vegetable imports until they are audited and the results of…

“For Turkish exporters, the exports to Russia haven’t stopped”

Turkish produce is still finding its way onto the Russian market. Although there was some uncertainty among Russian importers for about a week, things are moving once again. Prices for fresh produce on the Turkish domestic market are back to normal as well. Although there were some price drops for fruit…

Fresh Del Monte Inc. appoints Monica Vicente as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

On March 2, 2022, Fresh Del Monte Inc. appointed Monica Vicente as the Company's Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer effective April 1, 2022. In that role, Ms.…

Pathway management plan approved from 1 April

KVH is delighted to confirm that the new Pathway Management Plan for the kiwifruit industry has successfully been approved by the Government for implementation from 1 April…

"Mandatory submission of phytosanitary certificate will create challenges for fresh exports to the UK"

"The biggest challenge for agri-food companies exporting to the UK is coming after July 1," says Ward Verberck of VLAM, who was appointed by VLAM last year as Brexit advisor…

War in Ukraine: the Farm to Fork strategy is obsolete!

Following the events in Ukraine and the radical geopolitical changes that result from them, fruit and vegetable producers are calling for a total and immediate rethink of the…

Andalusia demands a generalized 50% tax reduction to mitigate the rising costs and lack of water

The Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Sustainable Development of the Andalusian Government, Carmen Crespo, has once again requested the Government of Spain…

Potato Growers select 2022 National Potato Council leaders

Today during the National Potato Council’s (NPC) 2022 Washington Summit, Jared Balcom of Pasco, Wash., was elected to serve as NPC’s 2022 President and head the grower-led…

Dr. Oscar Ortiz named Director General ad interim of the International Potato Center

Following the untimely passing of Dr. Barbara Wells on 16 February last, the Board of Trustees of the International Potato Center (CIP) has appointed Dr. Oscar Ortiz as…

Sealand – A Maersk Company, Europe & Med announces Aruna Hussain as new Managing Director

Maersk appoints Aruna Hussain as Managing Director of Sealand – A Maersk Company, Europe & Med. effective 1 March 2022. Aruna started her career at Maersk in 2000 where she…

Colombian farmers and exporters are worried about Russia's exclusion from the Swift network

The Colombian agricultural sector will be affected by the consequences of the military aggression perpetrated by Russia in Ukraine. One of the sector's biggest concerns stems…

China and Malaysia jointly formulate domestic Malaysian durian standards

The group standard of "World Traceable Quality Products Malaysia Durian" (T/CASME 13-2021) proposed and managed by the China Association of Small and Medium Business…