Change in the maximum residue limits (MRL) of Procloraz

Over the past twenty years, the focus on environmental policies and the health of citizens has led to an extension of the list of harmful fungicides, with the European Commissions reviewing the MRL (maximum residue limits). In the photo, Salvatore Imbesi. "On September 4th, 2020, the maximum residue…

France Relance: consequences for agriculture?

On September 3rd, 2020, the French prime minister presented the plan “France Relance”, a recovery plan focused on the economic, social and ecological rebuilding of the…

COVID-19: what’s the ROI on the industry’s pandemic investments?

Six months into the pandemic, the fresh produce industry has felt the economic impact of investing in greater resources around COVID-related safety—whether it’s educating workers, implementing physical distancing and more. But, as this week’s PMA virtual town hall discussed: what effect have these…

USDA PACA updates

As part of its efforts to enforce the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act and ensure fair trading practices within the U.S. produce industry, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has filed an…

State governments invest heavily to attract Aussie workers to horticulture jobs during COVID-19 pandemic

Tasmanians are responding in droves to the recent agricultural jobs campaign, according to the State Government, which is encouraging the residents to roll the sleeves up and help vital primary industries. Minister for Primary Industries and Water Guy Barnett says this is a great opportunity for…

'Corona - learn to play outside again'

"Due to the lack of physical communication, we are now using Teams, Skype etcetera on a large scale. It works. Although... how do you explain the smell of delicious fresh…

Young Australians could be given Jobseeker payments as incentive to pick fruit

After Australia closed its borders to international travellers because of the coronavirus pandemic in March, the number of people in Australian on the WHM visa has fallen from…

EU publishes regulation that makes spending on operational funds exceptionally flexible

On September 14, the Official Journal of the European Union published the Commission  Delegated Regulation (UE) 2020/1275  of July 6, 2020, amending the Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/592…

Estonian strawberry growers still unsure about loss compensation

Estonian Horticultural Association (Aiandusliit) has estimated that the losses for the nation’s strawberry growers -mostly due to the pandemic and its associated labor…

CBP officers discover $6.6 million in hard narcotics at Hidalgo and Pharr International Bridges

U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility intercepted a load of hard narcotics consisting of alleged methamphetamine and heroin that was concealed within a commercial shipment of produce arriving from Mexico. CBP officers also…

Concern among Ecuadorian banana growers about the restriction of mobility in the cantons

Ecuador's export sector is very concerned about the different mobility restrictions that various municipalities have announced they'll implement in their different cantons to…

Latest GDP results confirms that agriculture is leading economic recovery

The latest release of GDP figures from StatsSA indicates that the agriculture sector continued to perform relatively well during the second quarter of 2020. Growing by 29% in…

Dominican avocado exporters create the first collective brand to market their fruit in the US

Tropical Avocados from the Dominican Republic is the country's first collective brand to market this agricultural product on the east coast of the United States, where this local crop already has a 10% share of the market, and exports to that area in 2019 amounted to USD $61,415,732.38. This information…

Peruvian grapefruits enjoying more opportunities in Chinese market

The Chinese import season of Peruvian grapefruits lasts from July to September each year. Other imported products with big market shares include South African grapefruits,…

USDA cites Hunter Bros. Inc. in Pennsylvania for PACA violations

As a part of its efforts to enforce the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act and ensure fair trading practices within the U.S. produce industry, the U.S. Department of…

Chile's trade exchange falls by 12% in 2020

According to a report by the Undersecretariat of International Economic Relations (SUBREI) based on data from the Central Bank, between January and August 2020, Chile's trade…

Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture orders supervision of fruit growing-area codes

Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) intends to deal with the situation that some enterprises "borrow" the codes of fruit-growing areas of other…

Spain: Which Spanish regions would be most affected by Brexit tariffs?

Murcia, Valencia, Galicia and Aragón are the regions most potentially exposed to the consequences of a no-deal Brexit. This is due to the relative weight of their trade with the British market but also to their export specialization According to a report by the Banco de España, these regions would be…

Sterile fruit flies contribute to reduction in Queensland fruit fly population

Releases of sterile fruit flies at two Australian locations have significantly reduced Queensland fruit fly numbers. The pilot, which ran from September 2019 to mid-April 2020…

Spanish fruit and vegetable exports to the United Kingdom continue to increase

Spanish fresh fruit and vegetable exports to the British market in the first half of 2020 continued on a positive trend as they totaled 889,157 tons and 1,160 million euro,…

The lack of agreement between the EU and the United Kingdom puts the Spanish citrus sector on the ropes

The positive outlook for Spanish citrus fruits this season, with strong demand, high prices, and increased production, is being clouded by the lack of agreement in the…

Argentine citrus fruits lose up to 40% of the market after new EU regulations

The European Union's decision to suspend imports of Argentine citrus fruits has had a severe impact on the companies that produce and export these fruits. Nicolas Carlino, a…

The ratification of the EU-Mercosur Agreement is delayed after Germany rejected it

The entry into force of the trade agreement between the European Commission and Mercosur, which was initially scheduled for 2021, will be delayed after Germany rejected…

Plum prices plummet after Brazil vetoes the European plum

The Government of Brazil's decision to close its borders to European plums to prevent the arrival of the Lobesia botrana plague, which came into force on June 1, has…

Chile seeks to resume FTA negotiations with South Korea

Rodrigo Yañez, the undersecretary of Chile's Undersecretariat for Trade Economic Relations, recently visited South Korea, the country's fifth-largest trading partner, and its…

Border Trade Alliance worries actions toward imported Mexican produce undermine USMCA

The United States Trade Representative, in conjunction with the Department of Commerce and the Department of Agriculture, announced new steps to deliver relief for claimed…

Strike at Choithram, Chhawani Laxmibai Nagar markets against Model Mandi Act

Indore is the most populous and largest city in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. On Thursday, staff, traders and porters of the three main mandis (markets) of city -Choithram Fruits and Vegetable Mandi, Chhawani Anaj Mandi and Laxmibai Nagar Anaj Mandi- went on an indefinite strike against the Model…

Public consultation on the promotion of agricultural products in the EU will conclude on 9/11

The public consultation launched by the European Commission to hear the opinion of citizens and interested parties on the policy for the promotion of agricultural products in…

Fruit and vegetable prices are expected to go up due to the increase in production costs

The president of the Irrigation Community, Juan Marin, and the head of the Coordinator of Organizations of Farmers and Ranchers of the Region of Murcia (COAG), Miguel Padilla,…

ESSA & Freshfel Europe join forces at Food Crisis Management Event

On 2 September 2020, over 200 industry and public sector stakeholders from across Europe and beyond gathered at ESSA andFreshfel Europe’s Food Crisis Management Event to…

"It is unlikely for now that there will be a Belarussian boycot"

Belarus is experiencing an internal political crisis. President Lukashenko's brutal violence against his own people and the clearly falsified ballot box prompted the European Union to announce sanctions. However, the sanctions are causing concern among Flemish pear growers. They fear a new boycott, on…

Farmers issue mayday call to leaders to get Code done

Farmers are despairing at an apparent breakdown in negotiations between states, territories and the federal government towards the promised Agriculture Workers Movement Code.…

The US starts an investigation into blueberry imports from Mexico

The United States Government has announced that it will investigate the impact that blueberry imports from Mexico have on national production. To do this, the United States…

Action filed against Texas produce company for alleged PACA violations

As part of its efforts to enforce the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act and ensure fair trading practices within the U.S. produce industry, the U.S. Department of…

FPAA: "Concessions to Southeast producers will undermine USMCA"

On September 1, 2020, the United States Trade Representative released its plan which includes 201 investigations on blueberries and potentially on strawberries and bell…

Spanish fruit and vegetable imports from Morocco increased by 18%

Spanish fruit and vegetable imports from Morocco in the first half of this year increased by 18% over the same period of 2019, totaling 548 million euro. This number accounts…

European breeders demand an update of the regulation on plant variety rights

European breeders and the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) have sent a letter to the European Commission asking for a revision of Regulation 2100/94 on the protection of Community Plant Variety Rights (CPVR). AIPH, CIOPORA, Euroseeds and Plantum, the entities that signed the…

Aldo Empirico joins the management

Aldo Empirico, previously an authorized signatory at Hausladen Fruchthandels LLC in Munich, has been appointed to the management of Hausladen Fruchthandels LLC. "We are very…

Farmers to Families Food Box Program reaches 75 million boxes delivered

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farmers to Families Food Box Program has distributed more than 75 million food…

Asian Citrus Holdings Ltd. announce annual results

The board of directors Asian Citrus Holdings Limited has announced the audited consolidated results of the Company and its subsidiaries (collectively, the "Group") for the year ended 30 June 2020 together with its comparative figures for the year ended 30 June 2019. Chairman’s statementOn behalf of the…

US plant quarantine expert to be sent out to Vietnam

An expert from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is scheduled to arrive in Vietnam on September 2. The brief is to…

Project 'Fruit Fly Free' fruit production in Southern Africa

Tuesday, 1 September 2020, marks the beginning of Project: F3 Fruit Fly Free - Establishment and maintenance of fruit production areas free and under low prevalence of fruit fly pests in Southern Africa coordinated by the Agricultural Research Council (ARC). The primary objective of the project is to…

China presents new MRLs for horticultural products

On 15 July 2020, China announced 589 maximum residual levels (MRL). These are for 67 pesticides used on food. They notified the World Trade Organization's SPS committee of this. They…

USDA lifts PACA reparation sanctions on California business

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that Avocado House Inc. satisfied a reparation order in the amount of $8,629 issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities…

National Mango Board to hold 2020 referendum

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is conducting a referendum among eligible first handlers and importers of fresh and frozen mangos to determine whether they favor the…

New temperate strawberry varieties preparing for commercialisation in Australia

Strawberry researchers are seeking a commercial partner to hold the licence for new temperate strawberry varieties, which have come from the Australian Strawberry Breeding Program (ASBP). Hort Innovation is running an Expression of Interest process to find suitably qualified, experienced and capable…

Spain believes spread of coronavirus among seasonal workers is under control

The president of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, has said during a press conference held after a Council of Ministers that he believes that the spreading of the coronavirus between seasonal workers in the agricultural sector is under control; an achievement that he has attributed to the…

Over 50,000 N-95 masks distributed across the Central San Joaquin Valley

The California Fresh Fruit Association and California Farmworker Foundation announced they have distributed over 50,000 N-95 masks and single-use surgical masks to…

“We are concerned that Australian workers just aren’t that interested in this sort of work"

Prime Minister Scott Morrison last Friday announced the intention to restart the Seasonal Workers Programme (SWP), which could provide some relief for anticipated worker shortages next harvest. The announcement followed a National Cabinet meeting, during which it was also agreed to come up with a plan to…

Michael Magli joins management team

Michael Magli will be appointed to the management of premium fruit and vegetable marketer SanLucar as of September 1, 2020. Together with Gunter Kies (SanLucar Germany) and…

Good in a crisis? An interview with Global Director Caoimhe Buckley - Fyffes

Some inquisitive people at odgersberndtson.com have quizzed Caoimhe Buckley, Director of Corporate Affairs, Fyffes, about good crisis leadership in the face of COVID-19. What…

Brexit: cabotage regulations new sticking point, transporters with British location see added advantage

Negotiations between the United Kingdom and the European Union regarding the future trade relationship have once again run aground on a particular passage in the proposal. This time the stakes are the cabotage scheme for British hauliers in the European Union. According to Brussels, the proposal from…

Restrictions on Mexican agricultural products could lead to a trade war with the United States

Legislators, exporters, and importers are debating the impact that the United States' intention to restrict imports of Mexican agricultural products could have, as this measure could even lead to a trade war. In a second hearing organized on Thursday, August 20 by the administration of President Donald…

USDA determines two individuals responsibly connected to Florida PACA violator

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has determined that Jesse Fernandez and Yosuan Fernandez were responsibly connected to Florida Cool Cargo Inc., Miami, Fla. This is an…

Additional $1 billion commitment to Farmers to Families Food Box Program

President Trump, Senior Advisor Ivanka Trump and USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue announced on August 24th, an additional $1 billion commitment to the Farmers to Families Food Box…

USDA determines individual not responsibly connected to Florida PACA violator

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has determined that Thomas D’Agostino is not responsibly connected to Organic Harvest LLC, Miami, Fla. This is an update to Press Release…

Pacific worker program restart to provide certainty to fresh produce industry

The Australian Fresh Produce Alliance (AFPA) welcomes an announcement that will see the restart the Seasonal Worker Program and Pacific Labour Scheme, allowing workers from…

50.65 million Euro in compensations for Covid-19 to be paid to Bulgarian farmers

Bulgaria's Agriculture Fund has started accepting applications for aid to support farmers affected by COVID-19. Of the 106 million BGN (54.24 million Euro) approved by…

The US advances its project to curb Mexican agricultural exports

The United States is advancing its project to curb Mexican agricultural exports when the US countryside has production, based on the principle of seasonality. The United States Trade Representation Office (USTR) reported that the second hearing to discuss foreign commercial practices that affect the…

Securing the seasonal workforce, state by state

Labour availability is a priority for apple and pear growers nationally, with negotiations to allow Pacific Islands workers entry to the country a key focus of both national…

Capital of Bhutan: Only people with a pass allowed to buy vegetables

Thimphu is the capital and largest city of Bhutan. Although the implementation of movement cards, which would allow easy access to essential items, was suspended in the city,…

Peru establishes the requirements for importing raspberry roots and plants from the US

Peru has published  Directorial Resolution N° 0012-2020-Minagri-Senasa-DSV, which establishes the mandatory phytosanitary requirements for the importation of raspberry (Rubus idaeus…

‘Why only NT? Other states need seasonal workers too’

At this point in time, the Northern Territory is all set to welcome seasonal workers and ‘working holiday makers’ from the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu. However, growers…

Canary tomato growers increasingly concerned about Brexit

The Canary tomato sector has managed to overcome the pandemic with rather acceptable figures. The campaign came to a close at Easter, a month earlier than normal due to a…

USDA lifts PACA reparation sanctions on Florida produce business

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that Lau Enterprise II Inc. satisfied a reparation order in the amount of $7,132 issued under the Perishable Agricultural…

The National Mango Board seeks to promote mango consumption in the United States

The National Mango Board aims to boost mango consumption in the United States next year. To achieve this, the organization plans to strengthen digital marketing by carrying…

The EU temporarily prohibits the importation of citrus from Argentina due to the black spot

The European Union has temporarily banned lemon and orange imports from Argentina to prevent the introduction and spread of the black spot in the EU. The ban is stipulated in…

‘Government’s $4.7 million allocation to Cavendish Farms, P.E.I. Potato Board will still be spent’

In May of 2020 P.E.I. Minister of Agriculture Bloyce Thompson announced an agreement that would see $4.7 million dispersed to the P.E.I. Potato Board and Cavendish Farms. This…

The US will maintain the tariffs on Spanish products due to the Airbus case

The US has announced that it will maintain the tariffs on European products, despite the fact that Airbus reported in June that it was giving up on the loans with preferential…

"We demand the EU activates additional and effective measures on the importation of citrus"

The agricultural organization COAG has expressed its "most absolute indignation and rejection" regarding the EU imports of contaminated citrus fruits from third countries,…

CPMA to support the delivery of government of Canada’s Surplus Food Rescue Program

The Canadian Produce Marketing Association and its allied partners across the food system are extremely enthusiastic to have been selected to support the delivery of the…

USDA restricts PACA violators in Florida, New York and Texas

As part of its efforts to enforce the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act and ensure fair trading practices within the U.S. produce industry, the Department of Agriculture…

Florida asks USTR for investigation of Mexican Trade

The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association and a group of Florida growers told U.S. trade officials that the state’s produce industry is in crisis and called for timely relief…

Ballot provides mandate for change to AHDB

A grower’s ballot of almost 2,000 levy-payers from the Horticulture and Potatoes sectors of the Agricultural & Horticultural Development Board (AHDB) shows the majority of…

The coronavirus puts Latino farmworkers in the US at risk

The expansion of the coronavirus in the US is strongly affecting the farmworker's safety in the country. The workers, mostly Latino, live in closed quarters, sleep in bunk beds, and share bathrooms and kitchens. They travel to the fields in crowded buses and often work in groups. Even though farm…

Horticulture NZ wants government to allow independent fruit and vegetable retailers to remain open

Grower organisation Horticulture NZ has written to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to express concerns about independent fruit and vegetable retailers not being classified as…

The online farm management system reducing the manual paperwork system

The mentality of working smarter - not harder - in the fresh produce industry, is growing, according to a major New Zealand technology solutions company. ABC Software has two primary solutions; ABCgrower and ABCpacker. Co-owner Sharon Chapman says business decision-makers are looking to invest into smart…

AU: Good news for South East as irrigation prices expected to drop

The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) is forecasting lower water prices in the southern Murray-Darling Basin in 2020–21. A wetter winter for a large part of inland Australia means the cost of water is expected to ease, after allocation prices last season…

Freshuelva will look for alternative countries to Morocco for hiring at origin

According to the president of Freshuelva, Alberto Garrocho, the strawberry campaign in the province has been "difficult, complex and one to forget," and the sector "has had a…

USDA PACA sanctions update

As part of its efforts to enforce the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act and ensure fair trading practices within the U.S. produce industry, the Department of Agriculture has imposed sanctions…

Australians can’t afford to bite the hand that feeds them

Growcom joins a universal declaration from farm industry groups that backpackers, and their freedom to work in our industry, play an essential and valued part in Australia’s…

"Consumers want to know more about the food they eat, now more than ever”

The emergence of COVID-19 has accelerated the need for reliable end-to-end traceability in the fresh produce industry, according to a leading Australian blockchain traceability and assurance system. Co-Founder of FreshChain Systems Greg Calvert says there has been growing awareness of food safety and…

Australian citrus and pome fruit growers to have access to new post-harvest fungicide this Spring

E.E Muir & Sons and Janssen PMP have announced the release of fungicide PENBOTEC® 400 SC which is registered for use on citrus and pome fruit. Greg Smith, National Post…

New Zealand’s $6 billion produce industry aligning and improving its traceability systems

A consultation document seeking the input of New Zealand’s fresh produce industry has been released this month as part of a significant project to assess and improve…

Seasonal workers able to cross Australian state borders

'Since the 31st of July, seasonal workers who have resided in the defined New South Wales and Victoria border zone, which includes towns such as Mildura, are able to cross the…

Florida firm posts $100,000 surety bond to obtain PACA license

Acosta Inc., with headquarters in Jacksonville, Fla., has posted a $100,000 surety bond with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Under the regulations of the Perishable…

A larger quantity of plums can be exported tax-free from Moldova to the EU

“Despite the spring frosts affecting the orchards in some regions, we will be ready to deliver qualitative plums with a good caliber to buyers from different countries of the world”, says Iurie Fala, the executive director of the Fruit Producers and Exporters Association Moldova Fruct. Moldovan producers…

The EU will contribute € 5,000 million less per year to European agricultural producers

With more than 58,000 million Euro per year, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is undoubtedly the largest fund administered by the European Union, accounting for 39% of the…

CANAPEP is accredited as an Inspection Body in Costa Rica

The National Chamber of Pineapple Producers and Exporters (CANAPEP) managed to accredit itself as an Inspection Body before the Costa Rican Accreditation Body (ECA). This makes CANAPEP the first business chamber of the country's agricultural sector to achieve this accreditation. It will allow CANAPEP to…

Foodservice Associations applaud introduction of PLUS Act

Representatives Darin LaHood (IL) and Jimmy Panetta (CA) introduced the Providing Liquidity for Uncollectible Sales (PLUS) Act. This legislation provides a tax credit to…

Vietnam & New Zealand to strengthen bilateral ties

According to experts, the high-level talks between Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his New Zealand counterpart Jacinda Ardern, scheduled for July 22, will demonstrate Vietnam’s commitment to work together with New Zealand to quickly advance bilateral ties to a new high. In 2018, a joint statement was…

25,000 euro research budget available for unmanned growing concepts

The Dutch Horticulture and Propagation Materials Top Sector (Topsector Tuinbouw & Uitgangsmaterialen, T&U) invites entrepreneurs who want to develop an innovative idea,…

Russia strengthens controls over tomato and pepper imports

From July 20, the Rosselkhoznadzor has strengthened its controls over imported tomatoes and peppers. The shipments arriving in Russia will undergo additional laboratory tests,…

USDA PACA update: Indiana and Arizona companies cited

As part of its efforts to enforce the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act  and ensure fair trading practices within the U.S. produce industry, the U.S. Department of Agriculture…

Chile signs historic memorandum of understanding with China

The Chilean Fruit Exporters Association (ASOEX) announced the signing of an important Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the China Chamber of Commerce of Import & Export of Foodstuffs & Native Produce (CCCFNA) in a move that will both consolidate and deepen the cooperation and communication between…

Jodi Devaurs appointed to Trade Advisory Committee

Jodi Devaurs, Trade Policy Director for the California Table Grape Commission, has been appointed to serve as trade advisor to the U.S. Department of Agricultureand the office…

Australian Dept of Agriculture, Water and the Environment mismanaged water buyback scheme

The Australian government's handling of the water buyback scheme has been the subject of a scathing report by the Australian National Audit Office; it claims that it did not…

Supervisory Board appoints Karl Voges to the Management Board with immediate effect

The supervisory board has appointed Karl Voges to the management board of Landgard eG with immediate effect. In this function, he will assume responsibility for the Fruit & Vegetables division in particular. Labinot Elshani resigns from the Management Board. "Karl Voges knows Landgard very well due, to his…

Freshfel Europe supports EU's plans to revise its Trade Strategy

Freshfel Europe supports the EU’s plans to revise its Trade Strategy, an essential move to ensure the EU is ready to tackle the growing challenges impacting fresh fruit and…

Horticultural post-Covid recovery strategy launch

All parts of New Zealand’s diverse horticulture sector have worked with key government departments to develop an industry-led, government-enabled strategy that will ensure horticulture spearheads New Zealand’s post-Covid recovery. ‘During lockdown, horticulture worked closely with government to ensure…

Future of Canary agriculture hangs in the balance ahead of next European Council meeting

The European Council, which is meeting next weekend in Brussels, will pursue an agreement on the Multiannual Financial Framework of the European Union for the period 2021-2027, and with this, it will mark the future of EU funding in multiple areas. This includes agricultural production, which accounts…

Fruit and Vegetable Working Group reviews the files for the opening of new markets

The Fruit and Vegetable Working Group, made up of heads of administrations involved in the opening of new markets: the Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Commerce and the…

New regulation to boost the consumption of Hungarian fruit and veg

The demand for Hungarian products will continue to grow, according to the president of the Hungarian Fruit and Vegetable Interprofessional Organization and Product Council…

USDA files action against B & B Organics Inc. in Indiana for alleged PACA violations

As part of its efforts to enforce the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) and ensure fair trading practices within the U.S. produce industry, the U.S. Department of…

Greek fruit and veg exports to the UK threatened by Brexit

Greek exporters are concerned about the possibility of tariffs being imposed on Greek fruits and vegetables to be exported to the United Kingdom. Furthermore, there is a clear…

More compensations for damage to agricultural products in Spain

As reported by Agroseguro, compensations to insured agricultural producers during the first half of 2020 have increased by 12.62% compared to the same period of 2019 and…

Egypt boosts agricultural cooperation with other African countries

The Egyptian Minister of Agriculture, Al-Sayyed al-Qasir, stated that the Egyptian agricultural sector had intensified agricultural cooperation with African countries by…

Surya Nair

Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) corrections

The Secretary of Agriculture implemented the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), which provides assistance to agricultural producers impacted by the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak, through a final rule published in the Federal Register on May 21, 2020. However, there were errors in some of the…

Canada and Ontario supporting farmers through enhanced insurance protection

The governments of Canada and Ontario are providing the best support possible to help farmers manage challenges beyond their control by enhancing AgriInsurance coverage for…

Funding extended for Fruit Fly fight in GMV

The coordinated control of fruit fly will continue in the Goulburn Murray Valley (GMV) after the Minister for Agriculture, Jaclyn Symes recently announced a commitment to…

GIA

Australia: Close encounter with Asian gypsy moth

The Head of Biosecurity at the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE), Lyn O’Connell, reminded the country of the threat posed by sailing vessels to national biosecurity this week. “Around 500 non-commercial boats/yachts and 19,000 commercial vessels arrive in Australia each year and…

Satisfaction with the adoption of additional European measures for the fruit and vegetable sector

Following the coronavirus crisis and its negative impact on the fruit and vegetable sector, the European Commission adopted on the 7th of July an additional set of exceptional…

Hawke’s Bay community engaged in codling moth research to Protect New Zealand apples

Growing apples is a team effort. Plant & Food Research has engaged households in Hawke’s Bay, the heart of New Zealand’s apple industry, in studies that will help create…

Peru and Chile sign an agreement for electronic certification in agricultural exports

Peru and Chile signed an agreement to launch electronic certification in agro-export procedures between the two countries. This information exchange system on phytosanitary…

Demain la Terre: 40 farms certified HEV

In addition to maintaining the High Environmental Value certification for 8 farms, 32 new structures have obtained the highest environmental certification for agricultural farms managed in a collective framework by the Demain la Terre organization. Implemented in 2012, the environmental certification for…

How can Almería warehouses handle 35,000 job applications each campaign?

Jorge Escudero, consultant of human resources and organizational development of NexThinking Innovation, in the innovation area of Treze Estudio, has analyzed the results of a survey on job applications for handling warehouses in the Almería agro-food sector. What is the purpose of this study?The objective of this…

Finnish people working again in fruit picking due to labor shortages

The labor shortages in Finland caused by the mobility restrictions introduced to stop the spread of the pandemic have led many Finns to go back to the fields to save their…

The final purchase price won't be allowed to fall below the effective cost of production

On February 26, the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA) published Royal Decree-Law 5/2020 on urgent measures in agriculture and food, which amended the Food Chain Law. One of the consequences is that it has become compulsory to include an estimation of the “effective cost of…

"It could take years to recover"

On the occasion of the International Day of Cooperatives, held on July 4, the president of Cooperativas Agro-Alimentarias, Ángel Villafranca, gave an interview to Efeagro in which he defended the role of cooperativism during the crisis, highlighting the importance of a “well-oiled” agro-food production chain in the EU.…

Fhumulani Ratshitanga: Fruit South Africa acting CEO will remain at the helm

According to the newly appointed CEO of Fruit South Africa, Fhumulani Ratshitanga, hard work, discipline, focus and respect were the building bricks at the foundation of her…

IA-CEPA trade agreement ensures vegetable growers can benefit from Indonesia’s economic growth

A new trade era with one of the fastest growing economies has commenced, with the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA) taking effect on 5…

Honduras facilitates the arrival of qualified labor to Spain

The shortage of labor is a recurring problem in Spanish agriculture. It is especially daunting in some producing regions where the challenge of finding qualified agricultural workers is limiting the growth of companies. That's why the Circulo de Comercio Internacional association, together with the…

Temporary aid to Hungarian agro sectors

Horticulture, fruit and vegetable production in Hungary faced hard times, which is why a new regulative change allows for the allocation of €2.8 million for crisis prevention…

Thai fruit export to China increased by 15.3% in May

Mr. Jurin Laksanawisit, deputy prime minister of Thailand and minister of commerce, announced on July 2nd that Thai fruit export to China increased by 15.3% in May. This…

Ghana: Vegetable producers demand structured funding to survive

Representatives of over 60 Ghanaian vegetables value chain-associated institutions and networks have proposed a Horticultural Support Facility that should be part of a broader…

Indian politician demands concrete steps to bring in Nepalese laborers for the apple season

This Sunday, the Communist Party of India asked the Himachal Pradesh government to take concrete steps to bring in Nepalese laborers on time for the apple season. CPI leader…

Covid-19 raises China's awareness of traceability system for imported fruits

The Covid-19 pandemic ongoing for months has undoubtedly had some impact on the fruit and vegetable market. Fruit imports have fallen significantly. Although the downturn in the market has frustrated some traders, the crisis has made consumers more conscious of food safety, and also made the fruit…

Trops offering 350 jobs for new mango campaign

Trops, the Agrarian Transformation Society specialized in the production and marketing of subtropical crops, is offering 350 jobs for the new mango campaign, which will start…