Management

Vietnamese Finance Ministry proposes cutting US agriculture import duties

Under pressure from the US, Vietnam's Ministry of Finance is proposing tariff cuts for some American agriculture products, such as apples. The Vietnamese government is…

Minister Kua pledges K1 million to boost agriculture Papua New Guinea

Petroleum Minister Kerenga Kua has pledged K1 million (€260,000) to boost agriculture activities for his electorate. Kua was invited to his village Mogl last Friday, a few…

Namibia will expropriate white-owned farms with ‘fair compensation’

Namibian president Hage Geingob has demanded constitutional amendments to allow for the forceful expropriation of white-owned commercial farms. White Namibians, who are descended from former colonisers Germany and South Africa and make up six percent of the population, own 70 percent of the land. Namibia…

Measures identified for organization of fruit and vegetable clusters Uzbekistan

On 9 December, a meeting was held under the chairmanship of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev focusing on the issues of organization of clusters…

California citrus growers face new contractor rules

Citrus growers in California need to re-evaluate their working relationships with independent contractors, ensuring they follow new state regulations that redefine who is an independent contractor. The new rules, signed by California governor Newsom last fall,  state that any worker is an employee unless the…

European Union to outlaw use of chlorpyrifos

According to the European Commission, the use of the pesticide chlorpyrifos will be banned in the near future. The chemical, used mainly for citrus fruits, has been linked…

Peruvian citrus sector awaiting renewal of the Law for the Promotion of Agriculture

Peru has succeeded in positioning itself as a major player in the citrus market, alongside China, Brazil, India, Mexico, the United States and Spain. Luis Olivares, president of ProCitrus, says that this has been achieved within the framework of the development of the Peruvian agricultural sector, which…

Western Growers applaud Japanese approval of US-Japan trade deal

In response to the announcement of the Japanese Diet’s approval of the U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement, Western Growers President and CEO Tom Nassif issued the following statement:…

EU measures to stabilize farmers’ income only partially successful

According to a new report from the European Court of Auditors, EU instruments helping farmers to insure their income against falling prices and production losses have only…

Farmers are collateral damage

US-China Trade War

In 2018, President Trump began imposing tariffs on imported goods to encourage domestic manufacturing. In March of 2018, President Trump imposed heavy tariffs specifically on Chinese goods, with the intent of fighting unfair trading practices carried out by China. In June of 2018, upon further imposed tariffs being revealed,…

Australian Fresh Produce Alliance approves of Prime Minister's announcement

Streamlined Government to deliver better services

The Australian Fresh Produce Alliance (AFPA) welcomes the Prime Minister’s announcement today that Government departments will be merged to improve decision-making and deliver…

Taco van der Louw, Up & Up:

"There is much to be achieved but the fresh produce sector has to get moving"

With over 20 years of experience in various quality and commercial positions and three years of recruitment experience within the fruit and vegetable sector, Taco van der Louw is ready for the next step: full independence with his own company Up & Up. In collaboration with international strategic…

Important role for seasonal workers in NZ

University of Waikato's John Gibson has stated that it’s time to start giving credit to the seasonal pickers, packers and pruners for the role they play in the NZ economy. The NZ government recently announced increases in the cap for visas under the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme. After the…

The shadow of Brexit looms over the future of Spanish berries

As part of the celebration of the 21st Agricultural Days of Bonares, the manager of Freshuelva, Rafael Domínguez, has addressed the impact that Brexit will have on the cultivation of berries in the province of Huelva. "The United Kingdom is the third largest European market for strawberries and…

Only 17 wholesale markets in Germany against 134 in Italy

Despite the fact that Germany has 80 million inhabitants, i.e. around 20 million more than Italy, it only has 17 wholesale markets against the 134 found in Italy. Andmi, the association of wholesale market directors presided by Pietro Cernigliaro, is working with the Union of German markets to strengthen…

Australia

Michael Radcliff joins board Ausveg

Tasmanian vegetable and potato grower Michael Radcliff has been elected to the Ausveg board. He will replace potato and onion grower David Addison, who is stepping down after…

Freshfel Europe calls for higher levels of fresh produce consumption

Freshfel Europe has called for a fresh fruit and vegetables-in-all-policies approach in its presentation of its 2019-2024 priorities paper for the EU institutions ‘Fresh Fruit…

New European regulation will facilitate the organic certification of small producers

On January 1, 2021, the new regulation on organic production and product labeling will come into force, providing new opportunities to small producers, who will be allowed to join groups to obtain collective certifications. As stated by the Deputy Director General of the Directorate General for…

University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences

Florida ag researchers & farmers experiment with new farming solutions

Researchers with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) are helping solve long-time problems with new ideas. As oranges and other…

Sri Lanka’s agri industry urges government to remove bottlenecks

Sri Lanka’s fruit and vegetable producers, processors and exporters recently urged the government to enact the long-delayed Plant Varieties Protection Bill. This Bill,…

Alvelal project with Dutch Commonwealth funding

Spain's farmers are battling climate change and desertification

As the Spanish interior is one of the driest parts of Europe, in the regions of Almeria, Granada and Murcia, the desert silently creeps forward. This is the result of temperatures rising due to climate change. Fertile land is swallowed by soil erosion. It is in this part of the Spanish plateau that…

Canadian PSP buys into Australian Olam almond orchards and water rights

Canada's big spending Public Sector Pension Investment Board has bought into another Australian nut orchard venture, also paying $490 million for 89,085 megalitres of high…

Cristóbal Aguado: "It is immoral for South Africa to avoid the ports with the strictest controls"

"The new global citrus lobby should not facilitate the entry of more citrus from South Africa"

The Valencian Association of Agricultural Producers (AVA-ASAJA) considers it "immoral" for South Africa to avoid introducing its oranges and mandarins into the European Union (EU) through the ports that carry out the most professional and rigorous phytosanitary controls. The agrarian organization has…

Far northern Western Australia

Ord irrigators fight water cuts in State Administrative Tribunal

As drought-stricken farmers face severe water shortages in the east, a dispute over excess water has come before the State Administrative Tribunal in Western Australia's far north, this week. The Ord Irrigation Cooperative (OIC) has spent the past four years fighting a decision by the Department of Water…

Ramon Armengol, the new president of the EU agricultural food cooperatives

Ramon Armengol, the representative of the Spanish Agricultural Food Cooperatives, was elected on Thursday, November 28, in Brussels, as the president of the Confederation of…

Agreement for duty-free supply of Moldovan fruits to Russia extended to 2020

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova, Ion Kiku, announced the extension in 2020 of the duty-free regime for the export of five categories of agro-food products,…

Chile's central bank to spend $20bn on saving weak peso

As anti-government protests grew more violent, the Chilean peso hit an all-time low for the second consecutive day last Friday. At least 26 people have been killed, more than 13,000 have been injured and 25,000 detained amid demonstrations, looting and arson attacks on supermarkets, metro stations,…

South Africa's Citrus Growers Association fines companies that export through Spanish ports

The Citrus Growers Association (CGA), South Africa's citrus lobby, which has great commercial interests in the European Union and brings together large fruit and vegetable multinationals, has fined companies in South Africa that exported oranges and mandarins to the old continent through Spanish ports.…

Spanish company investigated for growing fruit trees without authorization in Cabo de Gata

The news agency Europa Press has reported about the opening of proceedings by the Court of Instruction number 4 of Almería to investigate whether there is a crime in the…

University of South Australia - Dr Joanne Tingey-Holyoak

Data could save Australian farms, thanks to new water accounting tool

Although Australia’s farmers are recognised as being among the most efficient in the world, just 25 per cent are accurately tracking their water-related costs. The lack of an integrated system to link financial, soil and climate information has stymied our irrigators for years, according to University of…

Agri SA ready to engage on Water Master Plan

On 28 November 2019 the Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation, Lindiwe Sisulu, launched the much anticipated National Water and Sanitation Master Plan (NW&SMP)…

Fruit and vegetable imports from North African countries having impact on the European sector

Spanish fruit and vegetable imports from the six southern Mediterranean countries with which the European Commission has association agreements in force (Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco and Tunisia) have all grown, except those of Lebanon, from where no fruit and vegetables have been imported.…

Series of workshops to teach management of vegetable growing in Pukekohe

More than 50 people are learning more about how to manage vegetable growing in Pukekohe in a changing regulatory environment, thanks to Horticulture New Zealand, Vegetables…

USDA files actions against Custom Fresh Cuts Inc, California, 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…

Unsustainable situation for Spanish Vinalopó PDO grapes

The Alicante region of Medio Vinalopó is the place of origin of two out of every three grapes consumed on New Year's Eve in Spain. The fruit, which is under the umbrella of a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), is grown exclusively in an area located in the municipalities of Aspe, Novelda, Hondón de…

How technology can help tackle corruption in Africa’s land divisons

Corruption in the land sector in Africa is rampant and it has led to a rise in the number of land disputes before the courts, forced evictions and death of many people across the entire continent. Land management and distribution processes are largely opaque and controlled by powerful elites. Land barons…

How technology can help tackle corruption in Africa’s land divisons

Corruption in the land sector in Africa is rampant and it has led to a rise in the number of land disputes before the courts, forced evictions and death of many people across the entire continent. Land management and distribution processes are largely opaque and controlled by powerful elites. Land barons…

CSO Italy: green light for exporting kiwis to South Korea and Columbia

With effect from 21 November, kiwis are officially available to be exported to South Korea for the 2019/20 marketing campaign. It represents an important achievement, as a result of the on-site audits carried out by the Korean authorities from 4 to 8 November in 4 fruit orchards and factories, selected as…

USDA report predicts US trade deficit will widen in 2020

The USDA released their Outlook report for the U.S. Agriculture Trade on November 25th. The report shows that the U.S. trade deficit will likely increase in 2020 with regards to fresh produce. The estimates for the increase are placed around $16.3 billion, which is up 3% from 2019, and 15% from 2018. Projection…

Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway says industry would need to up its game

More New Zealand visas for temporary seasonal workers

The number of temporary visas for foreign seasonal workers will increase by just over 3000 in the next two years.  In the first year, 1550 more visas will be available for workers…

Houweling’s European patent reinstated

On November 13, 2019, the Boards of Appeal for the European Patent Office (EPO) reinstated Houweling’s European patent directed to its Ultra-Clima Semi-Closed Greenhouse. The Ultra-Clima European Patent was opposed by eleven greenhouse manufacturers, who combined efforts to challenge the patent. The…

Philippines and South Korea to conclude free trade pact by 2020

The Philippines and South Korea have agreed to conclude the two countries’ free trade agreement by the first half of 2020. This was the commitment between Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez and his South Korean counterpart Minister Yoo Myung-hee after the Trade ministers signed an “early achievement package” on…

Olam to sell real estate assets of US onion & garlic processing plant

Singaporean food and agri-business Olam International is selling the real estate assets of its onion and garlic processing facility in California to US-based investment…

Millennial avocado shoppers especially valuable to retailers

Hass avocados are one of the most versatile items in fresh produce, finding their way into cuisines that span the globe. As shoppers discover more ways to incorporate Hass avocados into their home cooking, their in-store purchasing habits continue to transform. The Hass Avocado Board (HAB) recently…

Scientists developing farms of the future in south-western New South Wales

New Australian agriculture research station to help future-proof farms

The CSIRO’s Boorowa Agricultural Research Station (BARS), which opened earlier this month, will use drones, remote monitoring and advanced data analytics to test emerging technologies in crop science, agronomy and farming systems. The 290 ha facility took four years to design and build and is equipped…

Jordan farmers union threatens to halt trade over sampling procedures

Traders and exporters of vegetables and fruits have threatened to halt all exports and imports until the Ministry of Agriculture “revises its mechanisms for sampling produce”. President of the Jordanian Farmers Union Mahmoud Oran stated that the mechanisms deployed by the ministry to examine the samples…

USDA files against Versa Marketing Inc, California. 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…

Australian Department of Agriculture

Proposed increase in Australian export fees and charges

The Australian Department of Agriculture is currently consulting with industry of its intention to revise and increase the costs charged to exporters of horticultural…

$14.6 million to improve netting in South Australia

South Australia horticulture producers will soon be able to access up to $14.6 million to install new or replace damaged netting. Minister for Agriculture Bridget McKenzie…

CPMA congratulates new Canadian federal cabinet

CPMA wishes to congratulate all newly-appointed federal Cabinet ministers, set to lead Canada’s 43rd Parliament. CPMA looks forward to working with the new Cabinet, including…

UK needs vital trade routes across the Channel, post-Brexit

Are there alternatives to Dover?

With less than three months to go until the UK is due to leave the EU, attention is focused on how to keep vital trade routes across the English Channel flowing as smoothly as possible. “I am…

Singapore traders claim new export rules raise costs by 700%

Fruit and vegetable exporters for the Singapore market claim their operation costs have increased 700% since the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Service (Maqis) implemented new measures. As explained on themalaysianinsight.com, on October 23, Maqis said the number of items that can be exported in one…

SU entomologists part of major effort to keep fruit flies in Europe at bay

Insect experts from the Stellenbosch University Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology are part of a large-scale research project involving experts from 15 countries. It aims to develop the science and technology needed to better detect, prevent and manage Europe’s growing fruit fly problem.…

Tomato anti-dumping agreement between U.S. and Mexico to remain in place

The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) on Friday, November 22nd, voted 4-0, making an affirmative determination that dumped tomatoes from Mexico threaten to injure the…

National Retail Report - Specialty Crops

Advertised prices for specialty crops at major retail supermarket outlets

Again this week, retailers tailored their advertisements around helping customers shop for the Thanksgiving meal. Cranberries, sweet potatoes, potatoes, onions, celery, squash, greens and more were featured along with fresh and frozen turkeys. Whole prepared meals were also available for pre-ordering at…

United Fresh and US Apple Association

"The Farm Workforce Modernization Act will stabilize the current agricultural workforce"

The House Judiciary Committee has passed the Farm Workforce Modernization Act. The United Fresh Produce Association and the U.S. Apple Association applied this decision, and…

U.S. Patent Office Issues 48th RF Sensor Patent to Infratab, Inc.

"This product predicts, records, and reports used and remaining shelf-life"

Infratab, Inc. announced the issuance by the U.S. Patent Office of its RF sensor patent, US 10,467,444 “Apparatus and Method for Monitoring, Communicating Data Associated with…

Horticulture New Zealand encourages horticulture career options

The Horticulture Capability Group (HCG), which was promoting the industry at this year's Careers and Transition Education Association (CATE) Conference in Hawke's Bay.…

Agri Western Cape acts to manage drought

"We have to start thinking differently about disasters such as drought"

Agriculture in the Western Cape needs a long-term plan to keep the sector sustainable. So said Dr Ivan Meyer, Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, at a discussion that Agri…

Producer/farmer register estblished in Western Cape

"This register should provide credible data on the number of smallholder farmers"

The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) Western Cape’s Producer/Farmer Register (PFR) at the Western Cape Department’s Research Farm, Langgewens, outside…

Peru sees the Port of Algeciras as a solution to grow in Europe

The first day of the Port of Algeciras' commercial mission in Peru focused on the logistical challenges posed by the growing export of Peruvian fruit and vegetable products.…

Chilean fruit exporters analyze the sector's logistics challenges

The Chilean fruit export sector got together for a breakfast organized by the PMA on November 20 at the Hyatt Place Hotel in Santiago, where they analyzed the Future…

Currently, it only accounts for 0.3% of Japanese agricultural imports

Peru seeks to strengthen its commercial relations with Japan

Japan can become a very important destination for Peruvian exports, as its participation in this market is still low. However, achieving this requires having a development strategy between the two economies, said the president of the Association of Exporters (ADEX), Erik Fischer Llanos. Fischer Llanos stated…

Almeria, strike of the agricultural sector:

Demonstrations of a magnitude not seen in 30 years

The president of the Union of Independent Agricultural Producers (UAI), Joaquín López, better known by the traditional family name Bernabé, spoke with FreshPlaza a few minutes before the start of the demonstrations in the streets of Almeria, organized as part of the strike of the fruit and vegetable…

Voice vote passes Farm Workforce Modernization Act, WGA president responds:

"This act contains real solutions to the labor crisis facing the industry"

In response to passage of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act by voice vote in the House Judiciary Committee, with a recorded vote to take place tomorrow morning, Western…

USDA determines individual not responsible for South Carolina PACA violation

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has determined that Michael C. Harris was not responsibly connected to Sandifer Farms LLC, Blackville, S.C. This is an update to…

Trying to counteract effects of political unrest

Chile takes measures to boost small and medium-sized businesses

Last Tuesday , the government of Chile unveiled a series of measures to help small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in the export sector. They need some government aid, as…

2,039 M€ in 2018

Lidl, the leading retailer in purchases of Spanish fruit and veg

According to a report by the consultancy firm PwC, retailer Lidl is the largest buyer of Spanish fruits and vegetables, with an expenditure of 2,039 million Euro in 2018, which is 14% of the total. Of that amount, more than 1,700 million went to buying products that were subsequently exported to be sold…

Disciplinary charges filed against five Almeria-based companies for re-labeling of Moroccan products

Almeria's Territorial Delegation of the Council of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Sustainable Development of the Government of Andalusia has filed disciplinary charges…

Spanish and Italian firms to control quality of Syrian citrus

The Syrian Minister of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform, Ahmed Al-Qadri, has announced that two Spanish and Italian companies will be granting certificates of accreditation…

North-east Indian minister Arun Sahoo:

“Around 62% of cold stores Odisha are defunct”

The Odisha state government Wednesday admitted in the Assembly that around 62 per cent of the existing cold storages in the state are defunct. According to a written reply…

Government of Fiji looks to improve agricultural production

The Fijian Agriculture Ministry will provide assistance packages to all final year students entering commercial farming at an agriculture institute in Suva -capital of Fiji- to increase farming production. Wednesday, Agriculture Minister Mahendra Reddy said that the government intends to ensure that the…

AHDB data shows that 2-3% of crop is unlikely to be lifted

Crop still in ground in England at risk

The Scottish potato harvest is as good as done, but there’s a real risk that the 11% of the UK crop which is still in the ground will need to be written off. “There will be…

Third study on the application of the EU Free Trade Agreements with third countries

In the framework of a meeting with representatives of the European civil society, to be held on Thursday 21 in Brussels, the European Commissioner for Trade, Cecilia…

$130,000 for Australian citrus industry to bolster biosecurity

The Marshall Liberal Government has teamed up with South Australia’s citrus growers to fight the war on fruit flies. Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development…

European Union and Serbia sign agreement on border management

The European Union signed an agreement with Serbia on border management cooperation between Serbia and the European Border and Coast Guard Agency. The agreement was signed on…

USDA to survey 22,000 organic farmers this December

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will mail letters with survey codes this December to more than 22,000 U.S. producers…

April Clayton of the Chelan Douglas Farm Bureau:

“Global G.A.P is a good program, but it makes farming more challenging”

April Clayton with the Chelan Douglas Farm Bureau says the Global G.A.P program -the annual certification process- has many strengths that benefit producers and consumers…

Pagoda uses fruit to maintain friendly relations between China and New Zealand

China organizes New Zealand Week activities

The 8th New Zealand Week took place in many Chinese cities between November 1st and November 17th. The activities during this period included traditional Maori performances,…

Australia’s water shortages could cripple growers

Murray Darling crop production costs outpace revenues

The high prices currently being paid for temporary water are pushing some irrigators' production costs so high they barely break even. Murray Darling Basin water shortages in…

Support available to flood-stricken British farmers

Monetary support is now being made available for farmers who have been affected by the severe flooding that affected parts of the UK. The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is offering financial grants through their Farming Recovery Scheme and NatWest bank has mobilised its…

Seasonal Worker Program to stamp out illegal practices in the Mallee

The announcement of the expansion of the Seasonal Worker Program in the Mallee region will significantly increase the visibility of farmers’ business information within the…

US Congressional delegation calls for Agriculture Disaster Declaration

Last Friday, Senators Maria Cantwell, Patty Murray and Representative Dan Newhouse as well as the rest of the Washington congressional delegation called on the USDA to declare a federal agriculture disaster for 12 counties. The lawmakers called on Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue to declare counties where crops…

EU launches WTO trade dispute over Colombia's anti-dumping duties on deep-frozen French fries

The European Union has filed a dispute with the World Trade Organization (WTO) against unlawful anti-dumping measures imposed by Colombia on frozen French fries from Belgium,…

South Australian Government defends zero tolerance approach to fruit fly

Earlier this year, the South Australian Government implemented a 'zero tolerance' policy in a bid to protect the Riverland's horticulture industry after an outbreak of fruit fly at Loxton. The strict changes saw people caught with uncertified fruit at the Yamba Quarantine Station fined a minimum of $375.…

After backing out once, Oregon Potato Company offers to purchase one NORPAC facility

NORPAC Foods filed a motion in bankruptcy court Friday afternoon to sell its Quincy, Wash., plant for $93.5 million to Oregon Potato Company. However, no new sale has been proposed on the company’s plants in Salem, Brooks and Stayton. When the Salem-based farmer cooperative filed for Chapter 11…

Latest list of countries with permission to export fresh fruit to China (2019-11-13)

The Chinese General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine recently published the latest list of countries that have permission to export fresh…

EU steps up monitoring of Kenya’s horticulture imports

East African fresh produce exporters are being locked out of the lucrative EU market by the strict regulations on the use of chemicals. The EU, which is the leading importer…

USDA takes action to protect US from Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus

The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is taking immediate action to prevent the introduction of tomato brown rugose fruit virus into the United States and protect US tomato and pepper production worth more than $2.3 billion annually. The APHIS has issued a Federal Order imposing…

China and Brazil sign new trade agreements

The President of China, Xi Jinping, and the President of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro, held a bilateral meeting within the framework of the XI summit of emerging powers -Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS)- in Brazil. In the meeting, both countries signed bilateral agreements in the areas of…

The fruit and vegetable sector of Granada joins in Almeria's 11/19 protests

The provincial agricultural organizations COAG, ASAJA and UPA, in addition to Cooperativas Agroalimentarias de Granada, will be protesting in Motril to make it clear to society and to the various public administrations (provincial, regional, national and European) that the fruit and vegetable sector is…

China strengthens supervision on imported foods

China plans to put in place newly revised food safety regulations this December. Sun Meijun, Deputy Director of the State Administration for Market Regulation, said at a news…

Ghanaian Deputy Minister of Agriculture:

“Effects of climate change hamper food production.”

Deputy Minister of Agriculture Dr Sagre Bambangi has said that the effects of climate change have impacted on food production and the development of African nations. He said a…

French export company very pleased with Fruit Attraction turnout

Members of the Saint-Charles Export syndicate have confirmed that they were very happy with the 11th year of the Fruit Attraction fair, and the French pavilion saw an amazing turnout from the organisation. They were specifically very satisfied with the second day; they barely had time to set up in the…

Spanish entrepreneur on trial for scamming €180,000 worth of oranges out of 24 producers

The Valencian entrepreneur Vicente Chaveli was on trial on Thursday, November 14, at the Provincial Court of Valencia, after being accused of scamming 24 producers in the regions of La Ribera and La Safor out of more than 183,000 Euro in oranges in the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 campaigns. At that time,…

US exports to European Union will face increased scrutiny

Crops and nursery stock headed to the European Union will soon face heightened regulatory scrutiny, requiring some growers to undergo phytosanitary inspections for the first…

Spanish fruit and vegetable exports have been greatly affected by the blockage in La Junquera

The Spanish Police hope to clear the border crossing of La Junquera this morning, after announcing the end of the Tsunami Democràtic mobilizations. Agricultural food exports, especially of fruits and vegetables, were among the  activities most affected by the blockade. The Tsunami Democràtic independence platform…

Ireland is an ‘outlier’ in Europe for lack of seasonal work-permit scheme

According to officials from the Department of Business, the Irish Republic in a way is an outlier in Europe because it has no system for granting seasonal employment permits…

Wholesale inflation India eased in October

Wholesale prices based inflation eased further to 0.16% in October, as against 0.33% in September due to subdued prices of non-food articles and fall in prices of manufactured items, government data showed on Thursday. The annual inflation, based on monthly wholesale price index (WPI), was at 5.54% in…

Approximately 35% of trees damaged

Indian apple industry suffered Rs220 mln loss

The Indian apple growers who suffered huge losses due to last week’s snowfall have made it clear that the government’s proposals to compensate them are so inadequate that…

Southern African Agri Initiative

New campaign should pressure UN to act on crime against farmers

Concerned that crimes committed against family farming operations pose a major threat to global food and fibre production, the Southern African Agri Initiative (SAAI) has embarked on an international social mobilisation campaign. The aim of the campaign is to put pressure on the UN and its 193 member…

Agroseguro pays first €16 million to those affected by September's storms in Spain

Agroseguro has made the first payments to those affected by the storms recorded between September 11 and 17; a total of 16.28 million Euro. It is worth noting that the weather caused floods that may lead to issues such as the death of the trees or the appearance of fungal diseases, as well as the…

Social unrest has not affected Chilean fruit exports

According to the Central Bank's report on Chile's trade balance in the period between October 1 and 23, which coincides with the social outbreaks that began on the 18th of…

Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development Yubak Dhoj GC:

"Nepalese agro-subsidies to become productive, predictable, sustainable and transparent"

Despite being an agricultural nation, Nepal imports food items worth billions of rupees every year. Farming practices in the country are still traditional and newer…

Equitable Food Initiative

Research finds the EFI model helps improve working conditions

Equitable Food Initiative released the results of a two-year study undertaken by BSD Consulting to assess the impacts of EFI’s workforce development programs. A summary report of the research notes how the EFI model is improving working conditions, developing skills in workers and managers, strengthening…

Public comment period open now

Redline version of the Produce GAPs Harmonized Standard strives for balance

United Fresh has opened the public comment period to the just-posted redline version of the Produce GAPs Harmonized Standard, detailing the proposed revisions that were…

Western Australian agribusinesses given a recipe for success

The $300,000 Partnering for Customer Value initiative that was launched yesterday, will profile 11 international and domestic case studies, identifying common patterns of…

Surge of fruit imports from Spain to India and Singapore expected

Spain's fruit producers and exporters look set for breakthrough success in Singapore and India thanks to highly fortuitous circumstances which are expected to give a major…

Ecuador's banana sector disagrees with the new price for a box of bananas

Ecuadorian banana producers and exporters have expressed their disagreement over the new $ 6.40 price set by the Ministry of Agriculture (MAG) for the box of bananas. The exporting union had asked that the price of the banana box not increase, as it could affect the sector's competitiveness compared to…

Helping to catalyse the entire fruit value chain

Coca Cola to complete $1.7 bn investment in India’s ‘Fruit Circular Economy’

Global FMCG major Coca-Cola is on track to complete all its investment commitments in India, including the $1.7 billion funding to create a “Fruit Circular Economy” meant to…

"Growers keen to move on from Brexit impasse"

UK seasonal worker shortage to have “devastating impacts”

The NFU has warned that the continued failure to solve the labour crisis in agriculture and horticulture is “having devastating impacts.” Ali Capper, chair of the NFU…

Spanish agriculture has become attractive to investment funds

Spanish agriculture has become the new target of investment funds because of the attractive profitability it offers. The operations carried out in this sector are not huge in terms of volume, but they are transforming the ownership model of many traditional companies involved in Spanish agriculture and…

Argentine fruit companies under-invoice their exports to avoid taxes

In recent years, Argentine fruit growers have had to deal with many different and exceptional economic policies within the traditional context of global trade. The imposition of withholdings and indirect obstacles to exports has led to an increase in tax evasion through the under-invoicing of exports, a…

Sino-US trade war: Negotiations begin to reduce customs tariffs

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce recently announced that China and the USA have agreed to bring an end to additional custom tariffs. Both parties are working hard to reach a…

Japan will tighten controls on flow of brand fruits abroad

The Agriculture Ministry of Japan plans to tighten regulations on taking domestically developed varieties of grapes, strawberries and other farm products out of the country.…

Trying to broaden economic engagement

China and Greece sign 16 deals

Greece and China yesterday signed 16 agreements in sectors such as energy, agriculture, tourism and ports. Chinese President Xi Jinping is on an official visit to Greece for follow-up meetings with Greek officials, after Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited China last week at the head of a delegation of more than 60…

Agri industry South Africa again deals with drought and disease

South Africa’s agricultural sector has seen the bad start of the 2018/19 production year (that was characterised by drought for summer crops and foot-and-mouth disease for…

Calavo Growers - CEO Lee Cole retiring

Calavo Growers President and CEO Lee Cole has announced plans to retire in early 2020, kicking off a search for his successor by the Santa Paula avocado growing and packing…

Fairtrade on Ecuadorian and Colombian progress in increasing banana wages

Following years of engaging and advocating for decent salaries, Fairtrade reported recently on welcome progress for workers in the banana sector. Colombia and Ecuador leading the wayIn Ecuador, the salario digno (decent wage) has been established by the government to ensure a just remuneration for…

Apples and Pears New Zealand chief executive Alan Pollard:

“Retaining a high-quality agreement with China is critical for us"

New Zealand’s apple and pear growers and exporters have welcomed news of the China Free Trade Agreement (FTA) upgrade and substantial progress with the Regional Comprehensive…

Last year it was cucumbers, is there a different Spanish 'crisis crop' this year?

Today, growers in the Spanish Almería region called a halt to their aubergine and bell pepper harvests. They vow to not begin again until prices reach at least a cost-effective level again. "It is costing us money to harvest aubergines," say growers. They saw the price for this product fall below €0,25.…

Estonian and Vietnamese fresh produce exporters scouting Jiuye as import partner

Delegates from the governments of Vietnam and Estonia visited Jiuye SCM during the China International Import Expo (CIIE 2019) to discuss future cooperation on imports of fresh produce to China. Alongside the visits, the leading supply chain management provider hosted several sessions with business…

Spain: Fruit and vegetable exporters worried about Morocco-UK association deal

Fruit and vegetables exporters in the Canary Islands are concerned about the association agreement signed on 26 October between Morocco and the United Kingdom. Two…

New Zealand strawberry growers are backing sector levy

According to Michael Ahern, executive manager of Strawberry Growers NZ Inc, a levy will help modernise the $35 million strawberry industry. This may include expanding its…

Alleging disregard for scientific evidence

India and 16 other nations complain to WTO about EU’s pesticide residue limits

India and sixteen other countries such as Brazil, Colombia, Argentina and the US have complained at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) against the EU decision to amend its…

"Chinese and Turkish enterprises sign cooperation agreements"

Chinese and Turkish companies signed a range of strategic cooperation agreements in Istanbul on November 6 to introduce Turkish premium dried fruits, fresh fruits and…

Drought drives up vegetable prices in Zimbabwe

The drought ravaging most parts of Matabeleland has pushed prices of vegetables and fruits up in the region’s biggest market, Bulawayo. The unfortunate development has seen…

Florida hurricane victims face growing fire threat from ravaged forests

While the threat of wildfires continues to rise in the state of Florida, foresters in the hurricane-devastated Panhandle are still waiting for disaster aid to help them remove…

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