FreshPlaza: Global Fresh Produce and Banana News

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New trends in the greenhouse produce industry

Greenhouse locations migrate and product innovation continues

Job Board | Newly added vacancies

more job offers

California grapefruit production down this season

Slower start and softer demand for California lettuces

Strong California strawberry supplies throughout the coming months

Acadian Plant Health looks at Californian cultivation

Almond study shows biostimulants improved water use amid record regional temperatures

Europe is the largest market for peas from Peru

Gearing up for U.S. domestic melon season

IFPA honors front line with Retail Produce Manager Awards

UGA-Tifton demonstration lab to fuel innovation in precision agriculture

Tommie Landman – Landman Group

South African Star Ruby export estimate down by a million cartons

Sector | Vegetables

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Asparagus harvest season underway in southern Ontario

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

James Meers - G's Fresh

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

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

2024 Michigan asparagus season underway

Shipment of celery on fire on Illinois interstate

Good start to the asparagus season in North Okanagan

Sector | Bananas

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

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

Banana movement stays steady while plantain market gains strength

Ghanaian banana exporter plans West African expansion

Helge Sparsoe - Fyffes

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

Kazakhstan is a front-runner in banana consumption in Central Asia

Sector | Potatoes and Onions

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Market and Crop Update for May 9, 2024

'Onion demand is very good this week'

Onion market sees some supply relief though pricing stays strong

Movement faster on Idaho potatoes but pricing still weaker

Foodservice chipping potato heads to retail

Senate effort keeps potato classified as a vegetable in the U.S.

Potato bill reaches governor's desk in Colorado

Hardness and skin firmness in onions crucial for retail, especially during shortages

Sector | Exotic/Tropical fruit & vegetables

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Roger Matthews - NZ Feijoa Growers Association

“I believe that volumes will be well up on last year, but average fruit size is still down in some orchards"

"This year marks a lean year for lychee production. Production has been greatly reduced"

Avocado production is trending in Brazil

South African avocado industry preparing to start first shipments to India, Japan and China

Mango production challenges occurring in the south of India

Anticipating the South Florida mango season

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

Sector | Company news

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Food safety is focus of leadership class seminar

Royal HZPC Group maintains expected result

Agrizone named exclusive partner for Omnivent in Australia and New Zealand

FDA issues final ag water rule, IFPA reacts

Butterfly announces separation of portfolio company Bolthouse Farms into two standalone entities

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

Sector | Greenhouse

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Juan Pablo Saucedo Romero of AgroSense México

“We found an effective means to minimize labor in Mexican greenhouses”

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

Pleun van Malkenhorst, Thanet Earth Peppers Ltd / Thanet Growers:

"Growing demand from British retailers for lit cultivation"

Celebrating success at CPMA Week

‘Giga Guru’ status recognizes sustainability efforts

Premier of Alberta joins official opening of Calgary facility

Sector | Logistics

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Port of Salalah introduces viable alternative to Red Sea route

Improved vessel delays may release more capacity

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

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

TR Turoni (Italy)

How to assess the quality of cherries and small fruits

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

Video of the Calderoni inter-row tiller below

Interesting market trend also in North Africa

Autonomous robot harvester makes the cut with asparagus

Sector | General fresh produce

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Northeast region of Brazil is at the forefront of the mango market

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

National Retail Report - specialty crops

Avocados, mangos, limes, sweet onions, jalapeños highly featured for Cinco de Mayo

USMCA seasonal perishable products weekly update

Avocado movement from Mexico through Texas expected to decrease slightly

Photo report CPMA Vancouver

Behind the agro-trade feud between Morocco and Mauritania

Sector | Management

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New micropropagation lab to produce up to 24 million plants a year

Panama Canal Authority warns of water insecurity beyond historic drought

Final H-2A Farmworker Protection Rule announced

USDA announces new fee rates for Specialty Crops Inspection Grading, Audit Services

Manish Sirohi appointed as CEO of Decco WW

First increase in groundwater supplies in 4 years

Groundwater supplies increase in California

Improving protections for H-2A workers in the United States

Sector | Miscellaneous

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Zespri faces potential loss due to mouse infestation in kiwifruit shipment

Finley, Washington

Lineage Logistics warehouse fire leads to mass evacuation

Birds threaten crops such as lychee, rambutan, mango, papaya, and corn

Kauai struggles with invasive parakeets

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

CBP officers seize millions worth of methamphetamine at Otay Mesa cargo in the US

Sector | Fruit

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Jan Engelen, Coöperatie Hoogstraten:

"After a slow spring, our 'Week of Hoogstraten' coincides nicely with the first major peak in volumes"

Peru's strawberry exports fell by 66% in March

2023 weather and production challenges limited growth in fruit land values

“I have mixed feelings about the current apple prices"

Higher production for Greek watermelons compared to 2023

Five-year seasonal worker scheme welcomed by British apple and pear growers

Georgia peaches set for a bumper crop after missed season last year

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"

Belgian company sees organic as a step toward the future

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

Fresh organic herb supply expected to start picking up in February

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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This year, SAT UPCO will market its limes under the brand "Parcs Naturals de la Comunitat Valenciana"

"Our certified natural limes reach Europe in 48-72 hours, compared to the 4 weeks needed by those from Brazil"

Gulf Citrus Growers Association closes doors

"From January to March, Tango and Nadorcott prices dropped by around 35%"

Summer citrus program gets into full swing

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

APHIS updates quarantined areas for Sweet Orange Scab in California

Farm bill frameworks favorable for citrus

Sector | Organic

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Organic Produce Summit:

Panel to explore regional differences in organic produce sales

Austria: Traders and producers speak out on the organic market

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

Organic produce industry’s access to crop inputs focus of IFPA testimony to USDA

Better outlook for the Senegalese organic mango campaign

US organic imports triple, exports are increasing

Organic share of bananas continues to exceed 30 percent

Mexican organic orchards offer better psyllid control

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

US study looks into beneficial gut microbes through whole-food dietary fiber

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

Webinar helps ag industry protect itself from cyber threats

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 receives $3.8 mln to build robots and AI to power precision crop management

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

University of Illinois study:

Exploring sweet potato quality analysis in the U.S.

Polymer found in corn, potatoes and beans

Smart windows breakthrough in the U.S.

Post-harvest solution granted approval for use in Canada

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

Sector | Processed fruit and vegetables

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The process of making the famous pomegranate juice in Bangkok

40th year celebration brings new product offerings

Collecting apples for juice and pulp processing

Two new flavors join salad kit line

Second biggest processing factory in Nigeria formally opened

Pomegranate fiber added to specialty ingredients lineup

McDonald’s french fry perfume is real

Sector | Cooling

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Michael Panuccio, Freshxpress:

"This isn’t just another cooling machine, it’s a game-changer"

Cold chain 101: Exploring the cold chain, one link at a time

Transportation and redistribution connects supply to demand

To support food security in Lincolnshire

Magnavale Easton development approaches finish line

Launch of new refrigerated ocean transportation service utilizing electric field technology

MSC South Africa Inaugurates MEDLOG Cold Store Facility, revolutionizing trade dynamics in the region

Bangladesh looks to US investment in cold storage to curb losses

Commercial value of reefer exports through Oakland topped $7 billion:

Port of Oakland remains preferred gateway for refrigerated export cargo in 2023

Sector | Food safety

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Gibson Farms voluntarily recalls Organic Light Halves and Pieces shelled walnuts

Walnut recall in the U.S. due to E. coli concerns

EU Commission first implementation report:

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

Infinite Herbs-brand organic basil sold at Trader Joe’s stores

Organic basil: Outbreak investigation of Salmonella

Pesticide levels in imported produce are a concern in the U.S.

Industry input needed for Australian certification standards

Enoki Mushrooms recalled due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination

Sector | Nuts and dried fruits

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Are almond producers set for a fifth season of losses?

Labeling debate over Hawaii's macadamia nuts

Low prices weigh on investments into US almond crops

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

US bearing almond acreage drops for the first time since 1995

Steve Koretoff & Flory Industries named 2024 Almond Alliance Members of the Year

Bearing almond acreage drops slightly – first time in decades

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

Concerns raised over new EU packaging rules

Sysco is driving more eco-friendly products and innovative solutions to reduce plastic and packaging waste

ExxonMobil and Constantia Flexibles develop recyclable freezer film in Poland

Launch of new packaging solutions

Sector | Retail

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Weis Markets: First quarter 2024 results

Instacart's Q1 report beating expectations

Instacart partners with Uber Eats

Carrefour Brasil swings to profit in Q1

Grocery Outlet is continuing to grow its footprint in Ohio

Hasty Market has launched a fresh retail concept

Amazon reported 10.4bln dollars in profit

Kroger's Fresh Watermelon and Chocolate Dipped Strawberries making Mother's Day celebrations extra special

Albertsons' Jewel-Osco holds massive lead in Chicago grocery

Kroger and Disney exploring streaming service offering

Amazon launches new grocery delivery subscription

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

Committing to a climate-smart strategy step by step

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

Drought emergency declared in Washington

Unprecedented floods in the United Arab Emirates destroy greenhouses

Berry grower focuses on reducing carbon footprint

Dutch importers climate targets approved by science based targets initiative

Sector | Cartoons

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Crucial nutrients for breastfeeding moms from broccoli

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