FreshPlaza: Global Fresh Produce and Banana News

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Mango production challenges occurring in the south of India

Onion export ban lifted in Maharashtra

Mango calendar introduced in Bangladesh's Satkhira district

Indian onion traders worried about global competitiveness

Unseasonal rains impact mango crops in Telangana

Francesca LaSpina - Romeo’s Best

“Quality has been great and export demand has driven a firm price domestically"

Lemon farmers in the Hawaiibari area are facing significant losses

Vegetable farming concerns in regions of Bangladesh

Sabah MD2 pineapple cultivation project is expected to yield 5,000 tons

Kashmir fruit growers ask for more cold storages and pesticide monitoring

Sector | Vegetables

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"European retail opts for high-tech in winter tomato cultivation"

Vegetable production crisis looms in Manipur due to hailstorm

James Meers - G's Fresh

"We can grow mushrooms using alternatives but yields would drop by 50%"

Kees Jansen, Teelt-en verpakkingsbedrijf Gebroeders Jansen:

"After a dip at Easter, the price of leeks has only increased"

Timaru to Tokyo: growing carrots for juice in Japan

"Production for Polish cabbage will be quite high this season"

Targeting illegal entries from Russia

Lithuania tightens controls on vegetable imports to counter smuggling

Sector | Bananas

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"The situation forces us in Finland to find alternative origins for Spain and other southern producer countries"

Significant losses due to rains and winds in Chamarajanagar, India

Latam banana producers object to Italian retailer's discount pricing of €0.85 cents per kg

Banana research in North Carolina aims to combat deadly fungus

Ghanaian banana exporter plans West African expansion

Kazakhstan: In the Turkestan region, the first banana harvest of the season has ripened

Helge Sparsoe - Fyffes

“We knew that putting a new consumer brand into this category would be something radically new"

Sector | Potatoes and Onions

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Pampanga's onion farmers hope for Increase in income

Onion export ban lifted in India amid elections

New onions in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan are sold at incredibly low prices

But Nashik farmers call this a political move

Indian government lifts onion export ban to facilitate exports from Gujarat

Potato and onion prices soar after Eid in Bangladesh

Minister calls for more onion storage facilities in Bangladesh

Ukrainian onion growers elevate prices as season concludes

Sector | Exotic/Tropical fruit & vegetables

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Hybrid mango cultivation in Himachal Pradesh

Guinness World Record for largest fruit display set in Dallas, Texas

Jackfruit is increasingly popular in Kerala

Lục Nam pineapple is seen as a specialty of Bắc Giang Province

Ginger market crisis: record-high prices trigger importers’ alarm

Adapting the tropical fruit sector to climate change in a global context

Due to significant reduction in production Karnataka

Mango market sees increased prices in Bengaluru

Sector | Company news

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Royal HZPC Group maintains expected result

Agrizone named exclusive partner for Omnivent in Australia and New Zealand

Alico, Inc. announces financial results for the Q2 and six months ended March 31, 2024

Revenues of $32.1 million for six months ended March 31 relatively flat YoY

German importer adds Moroccan vegetable grower to partner network

U.S. ambassador visits climate-controlled fruit storage facility in Tajikistan

Fresh From Farm raises $2 million in Pre Series A

Maersk Q1 results in line with expectations amid ongoing Red Sea disruptions

Sector | Greenhouse

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Horti Demo Centre – Dr Estelle Kempen, Adaduma Msana, Kholosa Nakani

"All South African greenhouses should collect and recycle rainwater"

UK Salads Limited

Bankruptcy spiral UK greenhouse after client rejections

Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture visits Mexican farms to ratify results

Dean Taylor with Mastronardi Produce:

“There is always a high level of excitement when we launch a new Bombs variety”

11-hectare greenhouse project officially opened in New Zealand

New sweet peppers meet growing demand for fresh snack options

Aralux plastic film by Agriplast (Italy):

By controlling heat energy better agronomic results can be acheived

Sector | Logistics

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For its Proactive ZIMonitor 24/7 Cargo Monitoring Service

ZIM Shipping Lines renews strategic partnership with ArrowSpot Systems Ltd.

'Red Sea disruption could cut Asia-Europe capacity by 20%'

Maersk forecasts disruptions could last at least until the end of 2024

World Container Index - 02 May

Drewry’s World Container Index up to $2,725 per 40ft container this week

COSCO Shipping project

Chancay port development faced with hurdles

Continuation of the downward trend in container freight rates from India

Port city Colombo set to become a regional logistics and business hub

Noticeable improvement in schedule reliability in March 2024

Sector | Machinery

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Cherry packhouses experience efficiency and profitability benefits of new deep learning technology

UK company receives new Romaine lettuce vegetable harvester

TR Turoni (Italy)

How to assess the quality of cherries and small fruits

Agrimat company in Tortona (Italy)

Innovative technologies have also met with approval in Saudi Arabia

Machines help to unload trucks bringing in onions faster

"Fewer forklift movements means more peace of mind and better overview"

Using robotics to help sort onions on Georgia farms

The future of logistics is automated

Sector | General fresh produce

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Israeli businesses are looking for indirect routes to resume imports from Turkey

Israel responds to Turkish economic boycott with search for alternatives

Pune experiences reduced arrivals of fruits and vegetables

Short-term outlook for EU agricultural markets in 2024

EU consumption of fresh apples falls as production declines

Week 18 Fruit Wholesale Market Report

Thai Durian arrivals surge, coconut prices continue to rise

Joint Iran-Africa Agriculture and Water Resources Committee announced

India-New Zealand trade talks focus on collaboration

Sector | Management

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Manish Sirohi appointed as CEO of Decco WW

Change at the helm of Peru's Trade Office in New York

Charl du Bois appointed as new managing director of Capespan

European Parliament approves a revision of the EU’s common agricultural policy

Star Group names four vice-presidents of sales and procurement

MEPs approve trade support measures for Ukraine with protection for EU farmers

Paddie Allen appointed as new air freight director for PML Seafrigo

Sector | Miscellaneous

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Zespri faces potential loss due to mouse infestation in kiwifruit shipment

Over 30 tons of mushrooms shipped from Stavropol Krai, Russia, to Georgia and Armenia

Berry fruit production and water challenges in Mangualde

“Non-negligible probability of long-term establishment in France,” according to ANSES

Reinforced surveillance of Asian fruit fly

Astronauts to study plant growth and development on the Moon

Does Ramadan reduce productivity in packing houses?

Fresh commodity exports to Fiji require additional declaration

Sector | Fruit

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Proprietary jumbo and pink blueberry varieties unveiled

Kicking off California’s stone fruit season

Rosselkhoznadzor has inspected 2,700 tons of watermelons from Iran in the Moscow region

The Berry Union forecasts a rise in watermelon prices in 2024 due to increased cultivation and logistics costs

Watermelon price forecast for 2024 in Russia

Pressure on Washington cherries this season

Luis Contreras, Special Fruit:

"Significant quality variations depress blueberry prices"

"For Mexico's 2024 season our early red and white grapes are about 10 days earlier"

Sector | Herbs

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Moroccan rosemary supply hit by drought

Peter Mair of Gruppo Mec:

"Italian arugula cultivation becomes more professional and sustainable with each passing year"

Ton Verheijke, Janyra Organics:

"With our first full-scale herb harvest, we should gain a foothold in the Netherlands"

Belgian company sees organic as a step toward the future

"We want to be a pioneer in the organic segment"

Retailer in North of England finds supplier with fresh range of new herbs

Natalia Moranth, Green Explosion:

“We want to introduce our Colombian fresh fruit to Europe”

Andrew Smith - Butler Market Gardens

“In the Christmas week we sell up to three times more herbs than normal"

Sector | Agenda

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12th annual Post-Harvest Academy hosted in Washington

Trade show to be held in Izmir on 26 to 28 September

"Interfresh Eurasia trade show to become Türkiye’s showcase"

Melbourne Convention Centre, 3-5 June, 2024

Tickets selling fast for Hort Connections 2024

Jakeman Stadium, Boston United Football Club, 7 November, 2024

British Vining Pea and Bean 2024 Conference

María José Sánchez, Director of Fruit Attraction:

"This year, Fruit Attraction will surpass all previous figures"

Cobrey Farms, Coleraine Buildings, Wednesday, 26 June 2024 -

British Asparagus Conference 2024 to focus on key production aspects

Photo Report: SIAM 2024

Sector | Citrus

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Summer citrus program gets into full swing

Limoneira announces approval for additional 550 dwelling units in harvest at Limoneira Development Project

Australian market might open up to Vietnamese pomelo, contingent upon biosecurity adherence

Early reports show more Florida grapefruit this fall

Citrus farming boosts Rajshahi regional economy

Monthly update on citrus fruits imports

EU imported 25,108 tonnes of small citrus in March

Citrus trade difficulties between Maharashtra and Bangladesh

Orange prices unprofitable for Bangladeshi importers

Sector | Organic

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Austria: Traders and producers speak out on the organic market

"The organic selection is still much more limited, comparatively"

Better outlook for the Senegalese organic mango campaign

Restoration of organic fruit and berry cultivation in Kyrgyzstan's regions

Hanoi's organic agriculture is still facing challenges

New "Inverted Natural Branding" of organic fruit and vegetables

Astrid Rog and Geoffrey Harreman, BIO-Center Zann:

"Our organic fruit and vegetable range goes all over Europe"

'Good prospects for U.S. organic product exports to the EU remain'

Sector | Health

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Cranberry supplements enhance athletic performance in Canada

University of Queensland collaboration

Say goodbye to garlic breath with odour-free black garlic

Increasing fruit and vegetable intake among adults

Looking at vegetable intake and cancer risk reduction

Bananas facilitate quicker recovery after running

More research into dietary patterns and brain health in Japan

Harvard study links fruit and vegetable intake to longevity in the US

Sector | IT

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“Automated precision farming is key to fruit cultivation’s success”

Potato agronomy forecasts now available in myField App

Free farm management app to save Italian growers time this season

Through the digitalization of berth alignment

Ocean Network Express and Portchain ink deal to drive sustainability across the carrier’s network

© Nicoelnino | Dreamstime.com

Ransomware attacks on Ag companies:

"Attacks on the sector made up 5.5% of all ransomware operations globally"

Orchard Robotics creates data-driven module for existing farm machinery

Harry Tinson - Harvest Eye:

"The possibilities to adapt the technology for other crops is almost endless"

Sector | Innovations

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Supply chain enhancements roll out

Utrecht University

Utrecht University research

Residual waste from mushroom cultivation removes pollutants from water

Polymer found in corn, potatoes and beans

Smart windows breakthrough in the U.S.

Denise Junqueiro with Apeel Sciences

“Our technology provides shippers confidence for long haul shipments and to open up new export markets”

How more than 60 million pieces of fruit were stopped going to waste last year

Conserving two Olympic-sized swimming pools of water annually

Verdant Technologies and Sobeys partner on iceless broccoli

Using multispectral cameras to determine oranges' suitability for various products

Sector | Processed fruit and vegetables

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The plant for processing fruits and veg in Galilee, Israel is closing down

The process of making the famous pomegranate juice in Bangkok

Apple juice prices historically high as industry awaits indications on the new crop

Orange juice shortage hits Japan

Collecting apples for juice and pulp processing

Second biggest processing factory in Nigeria formally opened

McDonald’s french fry perfume is real

Sector | Cooling

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Capacity expanded to nearly 16,000 pallet positions

Emergent Cold completes expansion of its Facility in Villagrán, Mexico

Kashmir Valley organization wants to reign in owners of cold storages and controlled atmosphere stores

To support food security in Lincolnshire

Magnavale Easton development approaches finish line

Launch of new refrigerated ocean transportation service utilizing electric field technology

Addressing logistics and storage to mitigate inflation in the Philippines

Bangladesh looks to US investment in cold storage to curb losses

"Demand for frozen round onions remains robust in international markets."

Sector | Food safety

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Safety concerns challenge Turkish food exports to Europe

ANSA warns importers about the necessity to sell fresh produce only after lab results

Hyderabad police seizes 4,800 kg of mangoes, artificially ripened with ethylene

EU Commission first implementation report:

The relevance of combating Unfair Trading Practices and the need for further EU actions

Pesticide issue halts Chinese kiwifruit at Taiwan's border

Industry input needed for Australian certification standards

China returns 30 durian shipments from Vietnam due to cadmium contamination

Sector | Nuts and dried fruits

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Iraq is among the largest consumers of Iranian dates

Specific Chilean almond products now eligible for import into China

Organic farming base favorably positions Turkish dried fruits and nuts in the global market

Turkish entity to start delivering some of its hazelnut-held inventory

Effective technical support for date palm cultivation in India

Weather impacts Goa's cashew and mango harvest and Telangana's mangoes

Leading pecan companies announce collaboration to elevate the pecan to new heights

Sector | Packaging and Labelling

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Home compostable produce label launches with cost-effective advantage

Ronald Borst (Paardekooper) on paper flowpacks:

"For businesses aiming to reduce their plastic usage, we offer CartoPaper as a viable alternative"

Nico Treurnicht & Cornel Oosthuizen – Ergopak

South African scale technology finds foothold in European and Moroccan packhouses

Parkside introduces recyclable lidding film in the UK

Universal carton packaging for apples introduced in Himachal Pradesh

Concerns raised over new EU packaging rules

New EU rules to reduce, reuse and recycle packaging

Sector | Retail

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Major Australian supermarket fruit and veg supplier into administration

Morrisons has acquired 38 stores in the Channel Islands

Coles has launched a range of mandarins in a 100% recyclable paper bag

Asda has refinanced over 3.2bln pounds of debt

Asda has announced new price cuts on strawberries and raspberries

Slight slowdown in supermarket sales; Asda and Aldi lose market share

Sainsbury’s offers free herbs and spices to increase diversity in diets

7-Eleven Japan gets smart advertising

Lidl GB plans to open hundreds of new stores across the country

Jumbo opens “Europe's largest mechanized food distribution center”

Sector | Global Market

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GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW BLUEBERRIES

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW MANGOES

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW ORANGES

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW SWEET POTATOES

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW STRAWBERRIES

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW LIMES

Global market overview peppers

Sector | Climate

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Sustainability at core of Italian club apple production strategies

Extreme heat impacts south and south-east Asia

East Africa faces food shortages due to extreme weather

More than half of the Philippines’ provinces are in drought

Study looks at challenges of climate change on potato production in Canada

Erratic weather impacts Kashmir fruit growers

UAE: ‘How these vertical farms kept afloat during heavy floods’

Sector | Cartoons

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haertwarmion vodei

Cow expresses love to vegetable vendor

Papaya Instead of Cake Goes Viral

Diet rich in fruits and vegetables linked to enhanced relationship satisfaction

Mathematical mango pricing: a fruit seller's viral equation

Broccoli haircut is a hot trend

Carrot harvest uncovers ancient coin treasure

Garlic farmer's fury ignites wealth gap debate