Management

USDA restricts PACA violators in California, Florida and Texas

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has imposed sanctions on five produce businesses for failing to meet contractual obligations to the sellers of produce they purchased…

USDA announces National Mango Board appointments

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the appointment of seven members to serve on the National Mango Board. The appointees will serve three-year terms, from Jan. 1,…

The Community will hold a decisive meeting on Friday

The Canarian banana sector asks the Government to negotiate to maintain the Posei aid

The Canary Islands' banana-producing sector has asked the Government of Spain to negotiate so that the European Council decides, in the discussion they'll have with the…

Aussie crops depending on school leavers ‘PickPacking’ their way around the country

With international backpacking no longer an option, a new initiative by social enterprise Thankful4Farmers is calling on school leavers to create an alternative…

The measure will be applied throughout the Principality, except in Vegadeo and San Tirso de Abres

Asturias will lift the ban on potato cultivation in January

In 2021, the Government of the Principality of Asturias will lift the ban it imposed on potato cultivation four years ago to eradicate the Guatemalan moth plague (Tecia…

Ronald Hoekstra, CSI-Fresh B.V.

“Uncertainty about UK trade deal may be contributing to ill-prepared Dutch companies”

In just over a month the Brits will definitely leave the EU. Dutch logistics service providers are, therefore, becoming increasingly busy. That's also true for CSI-Fresh B.V.…

USDA announces appointments to the Mushroom Council

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the appointment of three members to serve on the Mushroom Council. The appointees will serve three-year terms from Jan. 1, 2021,…

Tennessee firm posts $400,000 surety bond to obtain PACA license

Legendary Baking I LLC, trading as J. Horners, operating out of Nashville, Tenn., has posted a $400,000 surety bond with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Under the…

Frauds in the indication of origin of Moroccan fruit and vegetable products reach Brussels

The complaints made in recent months by various agricultural organizations in Almería and Granada because of the detection of Moroccan fruit and vegetable productions branded…

Granada-based nursery fined for the illegal multiplication of Lamb Hass avocado plants

The illegal multiplication and marketing of avocado seedlings of the protected variety Lamb Hass has resulted in the first criminal conviction of a nursery on the Costa Tropical, in the Spanish province of Granada, which has been forced to destroy more than 10,000 plants and pay a compensation to…

The Government cuts the quota of new Moroccan temporary women for the Huelva campaign by 30%

The central government has cut by 30% the quota of new Moroccan female workers with a contract at origin who were expected to travel from Morocco to Huelva in the 2020-2021…

UAE/Israel peace agreement promotes trade opportunities

In September, the UAE and Israel signed a historic peace agreement. “But the agriculture agreement was only made very recently,” says Eitan Zvi, Marketing VP at Galillee Exports in Israel. Nevertheless, on Friday, 6 November, this company sent its first shipment of avocados to that country. "The shipment…

Pandemic drives drives purchases of pre-packed produce

COVID-19 has changed the way Australians eat and shop for the long term. Continued restrictions mean fewer shopping trips, bigger basket sizes, more local shopping, and a significant shift toward buying groceries online. With more meals consumed at home, fresh food has taken pride of place in the…

AU: Sterile insects to combat Qfly

A unique control technique is being trialled in Perth's western suburbs in a bid to eradicate any remaining Queensland fruit fly (Qfly) from the area. The Department of…

Russia extends its ban on western fruit and vegetables until the end of 2021

Through a presidential decree, Russia has extended until December 31 of next year the ban it imposed on Western food in response to the sanctions that the European Union (EU),…

USDA announces appointments to the Hass Avocado Board

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the appointment of 11 members to the Hass Avocado Board. Appointed are three producer members, three producer alternates, two…

Ross Berries

'Blueberry battle serves as catalyst for industry reform'

'The South Africa fruit industry has been turned upside down as a result of the recent court battle involving Ross Berries and United Exports. Reforms are set to be on the…

The EU and Mercosur's geopolitical bet plunges into uncertainty

The implementation of the EU-Mercosur agreement is expected to be complex and full of obstacles, including the environmental policy of the Brazilian president, Jair Bolsonaro.…

USDA restricts seven PACA violators from operating in produce industry

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has imposed sanctions on seven produce businesses for failing to meet contractual obligations to the sellers of produce they purchased and…

Fair Farms scheme

Australian program intended to stop worker exploitation has only 30 certified farms

Only 30 Australian farms have completed a government program designed to ensure workers are not exploited, despite job seekers continuing to be led into the industry. The Fair…

Organicoop

The Chilean Organic Producers Cooperative is born

The Chilean Organic Producers Cooperative, Organicoop, whose mission is to be recognized as Chile's most reputable producer and supplier cooperative of organic products, was…

The Spanish tomato price crisis has made the reform of Moroccan entry prices a priority

The start of low-priced Moroccan tomato exports to the EU in October is bringing down the price of Spanish tomatoes. As highlighted by the Association of Organizations of…

Anton Filippo, LBP Rotterdam

“Only 40 days to Brexit and some companies still haven't gotten EORI numbers”

“Is it busy? Are you kidding?" asks Anton Filippo of LBP. There are only 40 days left before the UK's definitive exit from the EU. And unprepared companies still regularly…

New Australia-NZ Export Plan to bear fruit

The new agreement with New Zealand opens up horticultural market access opportunities for Australian fruit and vegetable producers.The plan will help reduce cost of exporting…

New York state's apple industry votes to continue $2 million marketing program

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (AGM) today announced that the State’s apple industry has voted in support of continuing the grower-funded $2 million…

China removes tariffs on Laos, but critics say barriers remain for Lao companies

China has agreed to eliminate tariffs on 97 percent of Lao goods, effectively making almost all Lao exports to China duty free, but sources in Laos are worried that the new…

Westminster committee urged to recognize Scotland’s need for seasonal workers

NFU Scotland has provided evidence to an influential Westminster committee on the crucial importance of seasonal workers to Scottish agriculture. NFU Scotland, other farming unions and stakeholders have consistently pressed Government on the need for a Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme, that builds…

Peru

Phytosanitary requirements for the importation of passion fruit plants of Taiwanese origin and provenance

Directorial Resolution No. 0021-2020-Minagri-Senasa-DSV  establishes the mandatory phytosanitary requirements to import passion fruit plants (Passiflora edulis) of Taiwanese origin and provenance into Peru. The shipment must have a Phytosanitary Import Permit issued by the National Agricultural Health Service…

EU-Mercosur agreement sparks disagreement between the industry and the Spanish production sector

Disagreement has been sparked between the different parts of the Spanish agri-food sector regarding the deal between the European Union and Mercosur, whose future is still…

The EU-Mercosur agreement will be delayed at least to the end of 2021

The agreement between the European Union (EU) and Mercosur (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay), which was signed in 2019 after 20 years of negotiation, might only…

CBP Field Operations scores big with $11 million methamphetamine seizure at Pharr International Bridge

U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility hit a home run this past weekend with the interception of alleged methamphetamine worth $11,618,000 hidden in a commercial trailer arriving from Mexico. “Our officers working at the…

AU: National strategy for managing fruit fly released

The National Fruit Fly Council (NFFC) has released the 2020-25 National Fruit Fly Strategy, providing a framework for governments, industry and research funders to advance…

Dick Wolff, DWM International GmbH

"Collection from a local office hits harder than a letter from abroad"

It can be a major annoyance: outstanding customer bills. If the companies are located in your own country, it is still easy to call in a collection agency from your own…

USDA restricts PACA violators in California, Florida and Texas

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has imposed sanctions on three produce businesses for failing to meet contractual obligations to the sellers of produce they purchased and…

Ag exports to US need support of overseas Vietnamese companies

Strengthening the connection with overseas Vietnamese businesses in the US is seen as a good opportunity to link and develop distribution channels of specialty products of Vietnam in general, and the Mekong Delta, in particular, to a potential market like the US.According to Mr. Bui Huy Son, Ambassador…

Pakistan to launch its own Alibaba

The Pakistan Mercantile Exchange is preparing to launch an e-commerce platform, much like Alibaba.com, by the end of 2020. It will connect Pakistani producers and farmers with…

Aussie Govt attempts to pinch Kiwi seasonal workers, offering $2000 to work in Australia

The Australian Government is attempting to pinch New Zealand's seasonal workers in a bid to strengthen their agricultural harvesting industry by offering New Zealanders $2000 to move across the ditch. In an email to Kiwis, sent via a not-for-profit hostel, backpackers and travel organisation, the…

Texas A&M AgriLife researchers make breakthrough in fighting agricultural plant diseases

Texas A&M AgriLife researchers have made a discovery that will help combat fastidious pathogens, which cost U.S. agriculture alone billions of dollars annually. For the past few years, Kranthi Mandadi, Ph.D., a Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientist and associate professor in Texas A&M’s Department of…

A West coast first

Port of Hueneme offers cold-treatment finishing on-dock

Known as the Banana Port of the West Coast, the Port of Hueneme can now add another title to their brand: the Peruvian blueberry pilot Port. Being the specialized reefer port…

Asian countries do not want to choose sides between US and China

Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) signed

China and 14 other Asia-Pacific nations, including 10 ASEAN member countries and Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, are set to sign the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement on Sunday. The signatories of the pact, however, do not include the US which has been…

New EU MRLs on chlorpyrifos and chlorpyrifos-methyl

As announced on 11 August 2020, the new MRLs for chlorpyrifos and chlorpyrifos-methyl came into force on 13 November 2020 (Regulation (EC) 2020/1085 and Corrigendum); this…

UK will not require EU fruit and veg imports to be certified

Reports dating from 27 October that the UK would require quality certification on imports of fresh produce from the European Union caught European growers and UK importers on…

United Fresh urges priority access for Ag industry when Covid-19 vaccine becomes available

United Fresh and allied food and agricultural organizations are urging both President Trump and President-elect Biden to provide priority access to Covid-19 vaccines as they…

Chile and the Netherlands begin paperless operations for phytosanitary certificates

The Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG) has announced that Chile and the Netherlands have started using paperless phytosanitary certificates in the commercial exchange of…

APROBAN: "ALDI's position complicates the future of exports"

Costa Rican banana producers reject ALDI's lower purchase price

The Association of Banana Producers APROBAN, which is made up of independent banana producers and is a fundamental part of the economy and the creation of jobs n the Caribbean…

The future of the Canarian banana is debated in Brussels

"The aid can account for 35 to 40% of the producer's income"

The latest ongoing negotiations on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) for the next seven years will be crucial to maintain the Canary Islands' banana production, an activity that provides a livelihood to 15,000 families throughout the archipelago. The European Commission has proposed cutting the money…

United Fresh webinar

Trade, immigration and Child Nutrition Reauthorization under the new presidential administration

This week, the United Fresh Produce Association held a webinar to look at what impact the results of the election might have on the produce industry, now that the results of the election have become much clearer. The webinar featured a panel composed of John Hollay, the Senior Director of Government…

Minister Littleproud welcomed the release of the National Fruit Fly Strategy

The National Fruit Fly Strategy 2020-25 released today will aim to maintain Australia’s freedom from exotic fruit fly, minimise the incidence and spread of fruit fly,…

New research project will provide insight into kiwifruit disease Psa

A new research project that may help future-proof the kiwifruit industry has received a Fast Start Marsden grant. The project, led by Dr Jay Jayaraman at Plant & Food Research…

The potential for strengthening skills and training capacity to boost the Tanzanian horticulture sector

The horticulture sector is the fastest growing industry within Tanzania’s agricultural sector, with an annual average growth rate of 11%. Exports have increased steeply in the past decade, and the Tanzania Horticulture Association (TAHA) expects this to grow further to reach a value of US$ 1.85 billion…

Horticulture New Zealand keen to work with new government

Horticulture New Zealand - which advocates for New Zealand’s 6000 plus fruit and vegetable growers - is keen to work with the new Government to ensure the industry can…

CFFA announces support for Jim Costa in Chair to the House Agriculture Committee race

Chairman Collin C. Peterson was voted out last week as the Chair to the House Agriculture Committee and Representative Jim Costa of California and Representative David Scott…

Zespri reflects on ten years since Psa discovery in New Zealand

Over 100 guests from across the kiwifruit industry gathered at Zespri to mark ten years since Psa was discovered in New Zealand. The evening provided an opportunity to reflect on the resilience of the industry and the growth that they have been able to realise in recent years through our collaborative…

AMS revises U.S. standards for grades of grapefruit and oranges

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is revising the U.S. Standards for Grades of Grapefruit (Texas and States other than…

Mexico and the Netherlands strengthen technological cooperation

Mexico and the Netherlands have joined forces to promote innovation in the horticultural sector by holding a virtual trade mission aimed at enhancing technological cooperation…

What can be expected from the ITC Section 201 Investigation on blueberries?

On September 29th, 2020, the United States Trade Representative (USTR) requested that the International Trade Commission (ITC) initiate a safeguard action on imports of fresh, chilled, and frozen blueberries. The American Frozen Food Institute and the United States Highbush Blueberry Council hosted a…

Greenyard’s Sustainability Report

'Enabling the transition to a healthier and more sustainable food supply chain'

Greenyard’s vision and commitment for a fully integrated sustainability strategy is set out in a new report, published today. This third edition of the company’s…

Simona Rubbi elected Chair of European Commission CDG on Quality & Promotion

Today Freshfel Europe representative Simona Rubbi (CSO, Italy) was elected Chair of the European Commission Civil Dialogue Group (CDG) on Quality and Promotion.    Freshfel Europe warmly welcomes…

Fairtrade:

There are five key steps towards better wages for banana workers

Ecuador is by far the biggest exporter of bananas worldwide and Fairtrade continues to stress the importance of achieving a decent standard of living for workers in banana…

National Farmers’ Union

‘Farmers can’t rely on UK workers alone’

The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) is calling on the government to explain how fruit, vegetable and flower growers in the UK will be able to recruit seasonal pickers next year. Its industry-wide survey showed that despite the widely publicised Pick for Britain campaign, UK residents still made up only 11%…

For H-2A visa program

US Department of Labor announces frozen wage rates for most Ag jobs until 2022

The U.S. Department of Labor has announced updates to their methodology for determining the annual Adverse Effect Wage Rates (AEWRs) in the H-2A visa program, meaning that they have altered the way they determine the minimum wage for workers on the H-2A program. The new rule will allow farms to pay lower…

An app allows detecting the presence of minors in the fields and activating a care protocol

Argentina's agricultural sector implements a system to prevent child labor in the productive chains

The blueberry harvest started strong in October and it is expected it will end in early January. Even though 2020's production is expected to be similar to previous years, the sector is not immune to the social impact that the pandemic generates in the country: increased poverty, higher unemployment and…

USDA cites North Carolina company for PACA violations

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has imposed sanctions on First Fruits Holdings LLC, doing business as Four Rivers Onion Packing, Wake Forest, N.C., for violating the…

Negotiations on a trade deal with Kenya have been finalized

UK and Kenya secure a trade agreement

The UK has moved a step closer to signing a sixth trade deal in Africa today (3 November), as negotiations on a trade deal are finalised with Kenya. The agreement will ensure…

Castellon (Spain)

Complaint filed against a cooperative from Nules for reproducing and growing a licensed citrus variety without authorization

The Court of First Instance and Instruction No. 4 of Nules has admitted a complaint filed by the Sando Clementine company against the owner of a cooperative from Nules for an…

USDA restricts PACA violators from operating in the produce industry

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has imposed sanctions on four produce businesses for failing to meet contractual obligations to the sellers of produce they purchased and…

Nominations now being accepted for 2021 Retail Produce Manager Awards Program

United Fresh is now accepting nominations for the 2021 Retail Produce Manager Awards Program. This program recognizes 25 outstanding retail produce managers for their innovative merchandising, produce-related community outreach, increased store sales and recognition among company peers. The Retail…

Canada:

Minister Bibeau announces new financial tools to help fruit and vegetable growers

Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Marie-Claude Bibeau delivered a keynote speech yesterday at the Canadian fruit and vegetable industry's first-ever virtual Fall Harvest…

Brexit-webinar by the World Horti Centre on the effect of Brexit on the horticultural sector

"When it comes to a head on January 1st, we will have to deal with Brexit"

“It will all come to a head on 1 January,” Winand Quaedvlieg, head of VNO-NCW, told the World Horti Center Brexit webinar. It was one of the last opportunities for entrepreneurs to prepare for what is to come. Winand warned that companies should no longer take too much leniency from the authorities. "We…

"At this moment we are not sure that Europe respects the legal framework it has established"

Costa Rican banana producers fear a possible change in the EU rules on MRLs

Costa Rican banana producers are worried that the European Union could change its regulation on the maximum residue limits (MRLs) that the products exported to that region may…

USDA files action against California company for alleged PACA violations

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has filed an administrative complaint against Kendall Frozen Fruits Inc. for alleged violations of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities…

Column Elena Malkova, Confidenca Coaching

"Involvement starts with the right communication"

"Last week I spoke with a director of a large organization about how he and his people are doing in the present situation. And although he was very positive about how his team is dealing with the changes and unusual circumstances, he also talked about his new challenge: extra attention for involvement…

Colombia approves trade agreement with the United Kingdom

The Colombian House of Representatives approved the Trade Agreement between Colombia and the United Kingdom, which was signed in May 2019 before the UK left the European…

NFU says urgent action is needed to implement seasonal workers scheme

The NFU is urging government to provide immediate clarity on how fruit, veg and flower businesses will be able to recruit seasonal workers next year. The call comes as a new industry-wide survey shows that despite the widely publicised Pick for Britain campaign, UK residents made up only 11% of the…

ASPROCAN: "There are very few deadlines and opportunities left"

Minister Planas will defend maintaining the EU aid to the Canary Islands' banana sector

The future of the Canary Islands banana sector still depends on the final decision that Brussels adopts on the funds of the new CAP after the discussions in which the Council of Ministers of Agriculture of the European Union, the European Parliament, and the European Commission must finalize the last…

Canary Islands tomato and cucumber exporters will be compensated for their transport aid

After discussing the consequences of the United Kingdom's departure from the EU in the Commission for Affairs Related to the European Union (CARUE), the Vice President of the…

EC updates standards for Cucumber mosaic virus in tomato seeds

As published on Monday 26 October in the Official Journal of the European Union (EU), the European Commission (EC) has updated the legislation on measures against the…

More jobs ripe for the picking at Premier Fruits

More than 40 new jobs will be created at Lancaster-based tomato growers Premier Fruits, thanks to support from the Victorian Government's Regional Jobs Fund, for the business…

Peruvian banana producers negotiate the price for the 2021 season as costs increase

According to the coordinator of the Banana Program of the Regional Directorate of Agriculture, Karlhos Quinde, the costs of implementing biosecurity protocols in the banana…

Spain

Disciplinary proceedings for breaching of contracts in the sale of kakis

The Food Information and Control Agency (AICA), a body dependent on the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, has announced that it is opening various disciplinary proceedings against some companies of the Region of Valencia after complaints were presented by LA UNIÓ de Llauradors during the latest kaki…

Mongolia enters "Asia Pacific Trade Agreement" to reduce trade tariffs with China

Mongolia has successfully joined the "Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement" and will lower trade tariffs with its members on 1 January 2021. That also includes the trade tariffs…

USDA cites National Produce Sales Inc. in Illinois for PACA violations

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has imposed sanctions on National Produce Sales Inc., Lake Zurich, Ill., for violating the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act. These…

Argentina promotes Buenos Aires' fruit and vegetable exports to Brazil

The Ministry of Agrarian Development (MDA) has been working intensively to promote and boost the province of Buenos Aires' agricultural food exports. In a joint effort with…

$500 million in purchases

USDA authorized fourth round of Farmers to Families Food Box Program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced it has authorized $500 million for a fourth round of purchases for the USDA Farmers to Families Food Box Program. For this fourth…

Ireland: Minister Hackett announces €9m investment in horticulture sector

The Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with special responsibility for Horticulture, Senator Pippa Hackett, has announced the opening of…

AU: New project to help horticultural exporters

Delivering premium fruit into export markets is essential for the success of many Australian horticultural industries, particularly to make the most of newly ratified free…

Marc Evrard, Belgische Fruitveiling, Belgium

“Brexit isn't the only challenge we must focus on in the coming time”

The Brexit deadline is fast approaching. The European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK) have less than ten weeks to reach a deal. Just last Friday, Boris Johnson said the negotiations are pointless. Talks had resumed on Thursday evening. "Fortunately, the negotiators have not thrown in the towel…

Wikipedia

Israel to start supplying fruit and veg to Bahrain

Israel will export agricultural products to Bahrain by road, with trucks traveling through Jordan; a move that should significantly reduce logistics costs. The parties agreed…

Joost Derks, iBanFirst

“Brexit is forcing businesses to look for other sales markets”

Sparks are flying between the EU and UK in the Brexit negotiations. Legislative proposals are being adopted. And some fly in the face of international treaties. These include…

The FEPEX Assembly analyzed the main challenges of the Spanish fruit and vegetable sector

A no-deal between the EU and the UK will entail the payment of 198 M€ in tariffs each year

As revealed at the FEPEX Assembly, held on October 21 via videoconference, Brexit is one of the main challenges ahead for the Spanish fresh fruit and vegetable producing and…

Spanish supermarkets and digital platforms dealing with avalanche of online orders

Online grocery shopping has boomed since the outbreak of the health crisis. By mid-April it had grown by 302%, reaching one million homes (a rate of 5.5%). For this reason,…

Planas: "It is an imperfect proposal, but a very good one"

EU countries reach an agreement on the reform of the CAP

After 42 hours of negotiations, the countries of the European Union (EU) have managed to close an agreement on the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), which will regulate European agriculture between 2023 and 2027. The European Ministers of Agriculture greenlighted the three regulations that…

USDA files action against NC company for alleged PACA violations

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has filed an administrative complaint against Imperial Frozen Foods Op Co LLC for alleged violations of the Perishable Agricultural…

USDA cites LoneStar Produce Express LLC in Texas for PACA violations

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has imposed sanctions on LoneStar Produce Express LLC, San Antonio, Texas, for violating the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act. These…

Mexico is ready to retaliate if the US imposes tariffs on its blueberries

If the International Trade Commission’s investigation determines that the US should impose tariffs on Mexican blueberries, Mexico is willing to immediately retaliate against…

USDA cites VA company and files action against FL company for PACA violations

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has imposed sanctions on Benny F. Hall & Sons LLC, Oak Hall, Va., for violating the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act. These sanctions…

Almeria agriculture sees the opportunity to stand up to ultra-processed products

"Now is the time for the sector to come together to create collaborative marketing"

In the three months in which the population remained confined during the COVID-19 pandemic, people became more aware of the importance of diet and the consumption of healthier…

New USAID-Ethiopian Airlines partnership to source food from local farmers for in-flight meals

Ethiopian Airlines and the United States announced a new partnership agreement that will enable the nation’s flagship carrier to source locally grown produce and ingredients for preparing in-flight meals for global passengers. Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam and U.S. Ambassador…

Wikipedia

Russian organic producers suspending their exports

Russian producers of organic products have suspended their shipments abroad due to new requirements from the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance…

Belgian export ideas get financial backing

In Belgium, 14 promising, innovative export ideas from Flemish agrifood companies have received financial backing. That's via the Flemish Center for Agro- and Fisheries…

Industry welcomes announcement of clear timeframe from government on solving horticulture labour shortage in Victoria

The Australian Fresh Produce Alliance (AFPA) welcomes the commitment from Agriculture Victoria at today’s Rural Press Club of Victoria seasonal labour webinar that it will…

The EU wants to reach a negotiated agreement with the US to suspend tariffs

The executive vice president of the European Commission and Trade Minister, Valdis Dombrovskis, stated that the EU was interested in reaching a negotiated agreement with the…

Western Cape Department of Agriculture meets Agri-SA

Earlier today the Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Dr Ivan Meyer, hosted the newly appointed Executive Director of AgriSA, Christo van der Rheede and the newly elected President, Pierre Vercueil in Stellenbosch. Commenting on the appointment of Christo van der Rheede, Minister Meyer said "Christo…

Negotiations underway for resumption of European plum exports to Brazil

The progress made in the negotiations with Brazil could allow European plum exports to be resumed next year. The Brazilian market closed to this fruit at the beginning of June…

Almería's intensive open ground agriculture joins forces at Agrintal

Nine companies from the Levant of Almería specialized in intensive open ground agriculture have joined forces in Agrintal, a new association to defend their mutual interests. Thus, Agrícola Navarro de Haro, Primaflor, Agrupapulpí, Viveros Mediapalm, Peregrín, Cuadraspania, Hnos. Chumbos, SAT…

USDA clarifies that firm is able to operate in the produce industry

The U.S. Department of Agriculture previously listed Suncrest Produce Solutions as being currently restricted from operating in the produce industry. This is a correction…

AU: First fall armyworm detected in NSW

Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall has urged northern NSW farmers to be on the lookout for fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) in crops following the positive…

The price of a box of Ecuadorian bananas for 2021 will be set on October 16

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) of Ecuador announced on Wednesday, October 7, that the Advisory Council that will define the minimum support price (PMS) of the…

Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A. pays over $1.9 million for violating state clean air laws

The California Air Resources Board announced a settlement with Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A. Inc. for $1,990,650 - the largest penalty to date related to clean air violations…

Levy payers vote for accountability at Hort Innovation

On Friday 9 October, Hort Innovation held an Extraordinary General Meeting of members to consider changes to the Hort Innovation constitution. The meeting was attended by a…

Argentina extends the citrus sector's emergency declaration for one year

With 242 votes in favor and one abstention, the Chamber of Deputies signed into law the bill that establishes a one-year extension of the economic, productive, financial, and…

The European Parliament refuses to ratify it in its current state

New blow to the EU-Mercosur agreement

On October 7, 2020, the plenary session of the European Parliament approved a report on its Common Commercial Policy, which included an amendment in favor of not ratifying the…

Costa Rica's banana sector reports more than $ 9 million in losses due to blockades

The blockades in Costa Rica, which began last week, have already caused the banana industry more than ¢ 5.6 billion (US $ 9.31 million) in losses. On Wednesday, the National…

USDA files action against Florida company for alleged PACA violations

U.S. Department of Agriculture has filed an administrative complaint against Farm Fresh Packers LLC for alleged violations of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act. The…

Erasmus University Rotterdam study:

"Migrant laborers are paying the price for Dutch food security"

Migrant workers in Dutch agriculture are faced with poor, often abusive, labor conditions. That's in stark contrast to the sector's high economic productivity. That's according to researchers. They are from the Open Society European Policy Institute and the International Institute of Social Studies at…

Toronto wholesalers welcome government's proposed changes to Ontario Food Terminal Act

The Toronto Wholesale Produce Association (TWPA), the association representing the 21 wholesalers of fruits and vegetables at the Ontario Food Terminal, applauded the…

Protesters announce that they will maintain the blockades in Costa Rica indefinitely

The president of Costa Rica, Carlos Alvarado, announced on Sunday, October 4, that they were no longer negotiating 1.75 billion dollars with the International Monetary Fund…

USDA restricts PACA violators and files action against Oregon company

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has imposed sanctions on four produce businesses for failing to meet contractual obligations to the sellers of produce they purchased and…

WA food supply threatened by dire labour shortage

Concerns over labour shortages in the horticulture sector continue to escalate as Western Australia remains one of the few states not re-engaging the seasonal worker and…

Luis Planas, convinced that the EU will achieve the removal of US tariffs on European food

The Spanish Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, has said in Cordoba that he is convinced that the European Union will achieve the removal of the 25%…

Meth found in the back of a tractor trailer

CBP officers make record 800 pound methamphetamine seizure

U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations officers at the Port of Nogales’ Commercial Facility seized methamphetamine and fentanyl on Friday from a Mexican National when he attempted to enter the United States. The seizure is the largest methamphetamine load in Arizona’s port…

Brazil’s currency devaluations had a positive effect on agricultural trade

USDA released a graph showing the effect of the currency devaluations on agricultural trade. It shows a positive effect, that can contribute to an increase in export orientation for Brazilian agriculture. A line graph of the Brazilian real/U.S. dollar exchange rate from 2005-19 on falling from 2005-11 then…

USDA cites Sunrise International LLC in Florida for PACA violations

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has imposed sanctions on Sunrise International LLC, Miami, Fla., for violating the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act. These sanctions…

Funding for horticulture exports and seasonal workforce measures announced in Federal Budget 2020-21

The Australian Federal Government will invest $328 million to grow the nation's food and fibre exports, as part of the 2020 Budget, announced on Tuesday night. Minister for Agriculture, David Littleproud, says it is part of the Economic Recovery Plan, aimed at driving jobs and economic growth, cementing…

The US approves the Systems Approach in the production of Chilean blueberries in Ñuble and Biobio

Jorge Valenzuela Trebilcock, the president of the Federation of Fruit Producers of Chile, Fedefruta, stated that they were thrilled to hear that the United States had approved implementing the Systems Approach in the production of blueberries from Ñuble and Biobio; a wish that came true just in time for…

Australia: Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme gets top-up

Australia’s federal government has committed $50 million to top-up a drought rebate scheme. The scheme ran out of money 18 months early. Drought-affected farmers who invest in…

AU: 100 million sterile fruit flies unleashed on metro outbreaks

Almost 100 million super-attractive sterile fruit flies will be released across Adelaide’s suburbs over the coming weeks in an all-out assault against eight current…

AU: Government ‘calculating’ if fruit and vegetables are healthy

A review of the current Health Star Rating system for Australian food products has led the Commonwealth Department of Health to propose using a ‘calculator’ to determine if…

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