Patrick Meikle - Golden Bay Fruit:
Sector | Fruit
Robust strawberry forecast ahead
Rainier and windy conditions extend the flowering period of mid-season and late varieties
The Ebro Valley's earliest cherry harvest will start on April 15
Malta stone fruit output declines due to pest control shortages
Korea expands domestic varieties to boost produce exports
Florida strawberry growers hit by freeze and import pressure
New Zealand proposes import rules for fresh blueberries
Consorzio Italiano Vivaisti (CIV)
Emerald Crisp Smeralda variety expands in Canada and Europe
Russia becomes largest importer of Dutch plums in January
Making every day count to reduce rejection, losses, and price erosion
“Grapes achieve nearly 100-day storage, supporting longer supply chains and sales”
"Dutch expertise, technology, and contracts flow to Uzbekistan, with more missions on the way"
Uzbek–Dutch trade mission lays groundwork for fruit and berry partnerships
Sassy apples expand to 40 SA stores as Ceres production rises
Indian hailstorms damage 14,809 hectares of grapes, pomegranates, and onions
Sainsbury’s signs five-year contracts with 62 UK berry farms
UK strawberry season starts early with Herefordshire supply
CBP seizes $17.7 million meth hidden in blackberry shipment
"Growing interest in blueberry sorting machines is not random; it reflects global trends"
German strawberry cultivation in a changing landscape:
Cultivated areas have declined by more than a fifth since 2021
News of Indonesian import quotas may impact fresh pear exports
Vincent Chaban, Fruits Rouges du Confluent:
"The market is fluid, but we do not want lower prices"
Stephan van Marrewijk, Vicasol:
"I've never seen tomato prices this high before"
Hailstorms damage apple crops in Himachal Pradesh
South Africa's export season starts under pressure from logistics costs
Reduced exports to Canada
Mexico remains strong export market for pears from the U.S.
Peruvian blueberry sector shifts focus to new varieties
Matteo Molari of G-Berries now accepts bookings
Blueberry nursery sees 35% growth ahead of autumn season
U.S. blueberry grower adopts H-2A program as labour costs rise
"Despite the weaker demand, the domestic market has allowed us to continue operations"
"If the war in the Middle East does not end soon, there may be impacts on the consumption and stocks of Greek apples"
Sri Lankan retailer targets mango and melon exports to South Africa
Brazilian apple imports rise as EU exports grow
Japan exports Shizuoka Crown Melon to Australia with prices up to US$201
Indian table grape exports grow as new varieties gain ground
U.S. growers vote on commissions as Alabama reports freeze damage
European apple exports disrupted as stocks rise 12.5%
Indian apple growers protest import duties as FTA quotas limit imports
Daniela Aguirre, Fruit Freshi:
"Stone fruit season starts slowly as demand for overseas top fruit also lags"
The peach and apricot sector prepares for the 2026 season
"The key issue is referencing"
Ghana urges district vegetable farms after Burkina Faso tomato ban
Namibian grape exports exceed US$65 million in Q4 2025
India exports Assam Leteku grapes to Dubai in first shipment
Japanese Yubari melons sell for US$20,000 at Hokkaido auction
Xinjiang expands greenhouse blueberry production for winter market
Australian blueberry output rises as regulation concerns grow
New Zealand apple season starts strongly with Jazz and Envy sales
Decline in the supply of spring Greek hydroponic tomatoes
“When pressure on tomatoes from the Balkans increases, you invest in quality and more specialized products”
U.S. cherry exports pressured by rising global supply
Canada fines blueberry processor for mislabelled origin
Sean Thackeray – River Bioscience & XSIT:
"We are a leader in sustainable agriculture within the Southern African market"
Week 13 Fruit Wholesale Market Report:
Avocado prices rise while South African Flash Gala apples arrive on the market
Malaysian crop losses reach up to 50% under extreme weather
Russia blocks Chilean stone fruit, rejects Serbian apples over labeling issues
Sunfruits Peru, which grows 1,000 hectares of table grapes, relies on TopControl
"We chose smart weighing and process management solutions"
2026 Michigan apple research funding announced
Yuma melons could see earlier start following record heat
Positive signs for Canadian cherry season
German BLE week 12:
'Moroccan and Turkish mandarins have disappeared from the market in some areas'
Brazilian Gala apple prices ease as supply increases
Georgian peach and nectarine exports rise as quality improves
Blueberry sector focuses on quality as supply rises
South Africa sends first table grape shipment to Philippines
Australia proposes stone fruit biosecurity levy from October 2026
Michigan fruit crops remain dormant after heavy March snowfall
Red-fleshed apples return to South African shelves
Prices have been affected
"The supply of Spanish strawberries is recovering and is even higher than usual at this time of year"
"We supplied the largest number of Royal Gala apples in our company's history"
Positive expectations for upcoming Turkish cherry season
“Thankfully, the weather seems to be much more stable this year”
"We will discontinue this strawberry variety"
From the perspective of an Italian wholesaler
Wholesale prices of peppers and tomatoes are skyrocketing
Russia detects quarantine pests in imported tomatoes from Turkey and Kazakhstan
Russia rejects avocado and grape shipments over document discrepancies
Pasquino De Vuyst, Square Melon:
"Asparagus, strawberries, and wild garlic: Easter has overtaken Christmas in demand for us"
Kyrgyzstan fruit and vegetable imports from China reach 182 million dollars in early 2026
Peak blueberry harvest in Larache is expected in the first week of April
Imported apple and pear program kicks off on East Coast
Benoit Demedts, Kwekerij Demedts - De Mey:
"Production to increase in following week, with higher volumes expected in time for Easter"
Cédric Modica Amore, Pink Lady
"Pink Lady is the driving force behind the apple department"
Ger Vissers marks 45 years as a commission agent
"Much has changed in our profession, but Mother Nature remains in charge"
"In the coming weeks, grape volumes are expected to decline further"
Brazilian grape exports to EU set for tariff-free access from May
Georgian apple exports to Russia reach historic high in February
Vietnam imports US$220 million in grapes from China in 2025
Simon Easton - Wairepo Holdings:
“We are very excited for this variety, the colour is coming and we are already eating some off the tree"
U.S. launches antidumping investigation into Mexican strawberry exports
Azerbaijan's apple and hazelnut export revenues increase in early 2026
Victoria enforces food safety standards for berry, melon, and leafy growers
Daniel - S&A Produce:
"Volumes are increasing, April will see a tenfold increase in volume compared to March"
"For many exporters, it almost became impossible to compete in international markets"
Vincenzo Marrali of the Cooperativa Agricola San Tommaso di Licata in Sicily:
"A two-speed season for peppers: Rebounding in greenhouses but closing early in April"
Ireland's trade in fresh produce shows a continued reliance on imports
Perishable products weekly update - 25 March:
Firm prices across produce as supply remains limited in key categories
Costa Rica Special: Melopen
Demand from European buyers for mini watermelons has grown year on year
The Mercosur-EU agreement creates new opportunities for Uruguay's fruit sector
Australian Talia Farms table grape operation offered for sale
Strong start to 2026 peach season anticipated
Cherry blossoms protected under covers at Amelinckx Fruit
"New plastic tunnels bring cherry season forward to mid-May and extend it to the end of July"
Premium Peruvian blueberries gain share with US$2.28/kg price gap
Stone fruits in North Macedonia develop smoothly this season
Greek apple season heading towards its end
"Balkan countries and European markets have become more interesting"
Australia funds drought trials for apple and cherry growers
Berry group partners with padel player Delfi Brea as 2026 ambassador
Australian persimmon season starts with harvest from March to June
Ghana secures US$20 million to address tomato supply risks
U.S. wild apple genetics collection faces relocation risk
Moldova rejects 10.5 tons of dried fruit over mold contamination
Russia rejects pomelo and pear shipments over labeling violations
Russia continues to import potatoes and vegetables
VBT figures week 12:
Tomato prices continue to peak
Professional padel player signs on as global berry brand ambassador
British Columbia pear industry aims to move toward automatic harvesting
New Goldsnap apple exlusively available at Sprouts Farmers Market
Hong Chew Kwek - Kwek Global
"Super Jumbo blueberries are popular among the young generation, commanding premium pricing at retail level"
Production returns to seasonal norms with quality fruit
Strong price pressure on Greek strawberries
Nashik grape program targets shift to export varieties
Heavy rains in Portugal have impact beyond effects of waterlogging
"The strong winds that accompanied the rainfall caused significant damage"
South African apple and pear exports expand despite logistics challenges
Indian grape season completes 90% harvest on a tough note
"150-200 grape containers left for Europe as weather and war squeeze final volumes”
Honduras ships its first seven containers of melon to China
Indian Kashmir apple shipments rise as domestic demand increases
Ecuador launches program to support Andean blueberry conservation
Blueberry roundup: what’s on in the growing regions
Malaga port expands Latin America fruit trade links
Tomato virus cases rise as Russia blocks shipments and returns unlabeled produce
South Korea expands CA storage and smart farms to stabilise supply
Chilean blueberry exports rise 2.7% on new varieties and European demand
Peruvian blueberry sector faces rising logistics costs and route disruptions
Himachal Pradesh apple output rises but remains unstable
