FreshPlaza: Global Fresh Produce and Banana News

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Kurt Livingston - Fern Ridge Fresh

“Particularly the larger sizes have been popular as they are in high demand"

The latest decision on the decade-long dispute between the Wild Pink and Pink Lady brands

Australia sees start of envy apple season

Bumper vegetable production changes market dynamics in New Zealand

Call for fruit and vegetable growers to vote in HortNZ levy referendum

Australian freshcare producers gain approval for Costco in the U.S. and Canada

IFPA leads mission to grow Australia and New Zealand's fresh produce exports to South Korea

Week 19 Fruit Wholesale Market Report

Durian prices continue their downward trend, while apples are now available in small-sized packaging

Abundance of Peruvian avocados expected late spring through summer

Italian machinery company celebrated 100 year history of sorting at Macfrut 2024

Sector | Vegetables

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Europe is the largest market for peas from Peru

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

Maize and sweetcorn lead as Tairāwhiti's top summer crops

James Meers - G's Fresh

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

Timaru to Tokyo: growing carrots for juice in Japan

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

Clarence Mwale – KUMINDA

KUMINDA first to introduce Fruit Vision blueberries to Zimbabwe

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 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

Ecuador's banana exports up to March 2024 decreased by 0.24%

Sector | Potatoes and Onions

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

William Hoekman, QA Services:

"Thanks to optical sorting, we see the quality of onions increasing"

Woolworths reintroduces Happy Chop Tearless Onions

Egyptian onions replace Moroccan ones in West Africa

Ukrainian onion growers elevate prices as season concludes

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

The real growth in the sweet potato segment stems from value-added packs

Sector | Exotic/Tropical fruit & vegetables

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Southern Region news release

Florida utilized avocado production for 2023 totaled 10,550 tons

Not many consumers know about the nutritional value of cactus products

Partnership aims to achieve largest mango export from Pakistan

Al Syed Group and MG Agri Foods join hands for $15 million exports

"The pineapple production seasons ended early, and the overall performance was not ideal"

Nakuru County officials press for crop diversification

Coconut biodiesel in Papua New Guinea: an alternative to fuel imports

Australian avocados enter Indian market with Brett Lee as ambassador

Sector | Company news

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International Primeur magazine now available online

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

Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. Reports First Quarter Earnings for Fiscal 2024

Gross profit for the first quarter of 2024 was $82.3 million

Bonduelle Group:

Business activity slightly down on Quarter 3 in a climate of constrained consumption

Sector | Greenhouse

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New trends in the greenhouse produce industry

Greenhouse locations migrate and product innovation continues

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

Centuria acquires 21ha glasshouse in Katunga

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

Sector | Logistics

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A.P. Moller - Maersk launches air freight gateway in Miami to serve U.S., Asia, and Latin America market

Fairmiles Roundtable:

'Banning airfreighted fresh produce puts millions of livelihoods at risk and does not help Net Zero'

World Container Index - 09 May

Drewry’s World Container Index increased 16% to $3,159 per 40ft container this week

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

Sector | Machinery

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Manufactured by Bulltec for Colt.Or: watch the video!

A fennel grader focused on the utmost efficiency

Worldwide demand for Tong’s latest Unifill big bag and box filler

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

Machines help to unload trucks bringing in onions faster

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

CSIRO works on optical scanning for pest detection in fruit

Sector | General fresh produce

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Turkey’s fresh fruit and vegetable exports reached $211.49 million in April

Green leaf and root vegetables now 20 to 25 percent cheaper than last year

Fresh fruit and vegetable prices drop in New Zealand

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

NFF delivers 17 priorities for the Federal Budget to advance agriculture

India-New Zealand trade talks focus on collaboration

Photo report CPMA Vancouver

Sector | Management

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Greener future on the way for Scenic Rim agriculture

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

New Zealand prepares for action against Brown Marmorated Stink Bug

Australia: Senate Inquiry confirms unconscionable treatment of growers by big supermarkets and Bunnings

Manish Sirohi appointed as CEO of Decco WW

Nadine Tunley, Chief Executive of Horticulture New Zealand, resigns

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

Sector | Miscellaneous

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Zespri faces potential loss due to mouse infestation in kiwifruit shipment

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?

ACC 2024: New event unlocked added value

Fresh commodity exports to Fiji require additional declaration

Sector | Fruit

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Eloy Buenadicha Cobos, from Sol del Valle:

"In about 15 days, we will have fruit of caliber +32 available for marketing in trays"

“The demand for flat peaches from Spain grows every year”

Large quantities of Greek apples could go unsold

Kissabel apples, a season of growth for the Southern Hemisphere

30 years of Angus Soft Fruit

‘Run your business like you are going to run it for 100 years’

New line of Regenerative Organic Certified blueberries introduced

"Turkish cherry production will be at its peak this season"

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"

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"

Fresh herb industry braces for Christmas as busiest week of the year while tackling challenges

Sector | Agenda

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B2B Meetings, Warsaw, Poland, 17-18 September 2024 -

New highlights for companies interested in Polish retail market

Australian Vegetable Industry Seminar brings latest veg insights to Hort Connections 2024

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"

Sydney Markets announces finalists for 2024 fresh awards

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

Sector | Citrus

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Patricia Marí Minran, of Citran:

"Except for January and February, when Greece and Turkey are stronger, the grapefruit campaign is very stable"

South Africa’s 2024 citrus season started slowly, maintains good spread between markets

CBS spreading and causing damage across all citrus-growing areas in Tunisia

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"

Tommie Landman – Landman Group

South African Star Ruby export estimate down by a million cartons

California grapefruit production down this season

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

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

New "Inverted Natural Branding" of organic fruit and vegetables

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

New Zealand's organic kiwifruit sector sees growth and potential

Pieter Declercq, organics product manager, REO Veiling:

"Organic vegetables' better-matched supply improves market prices"

Proximity to production, selection, effective communication

The three winning ingredients for the success of organic fruit and vegetables

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

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

New research claims: Eating almonds can aid in post-exercise recovery

Sector | IT

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Producers can now do fruit counting with a free AI App

“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"

Australian farmers urged to consider their data security

Sector | Innovations

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University of Tartu develops palm-sized crop-inspecting drone

Supply chain enhancements roll out

Utrecht University

Utrecht University research

Residual waste from mushroom cultivation removes pollutants from water

Agri tech has an important role in Australia's growth

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

Sector | Processed fruit and vegetables

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Driscoll's Maroc is building a berry processing plant in Larache

The process of making the famous pomegranate juice in Bangkok

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

Collecting apples for juice and pulp processing

McDonald’s french fry perfume is real

6.7% increase from the end of 2022

Brazilian orange juice stock levels see a rise

Customer shows Birds Eye veggie mix has very little broccoli

Sector | Cooling

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Michael Panuccio, Freshxpress:

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

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

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

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

Maersk’s new integrated cold chain facility at Ruakura Superhub brings the Golden Triangle to life

Anton Viljoen, Stephan Antonowitz – Hexkoel

Beating the odds to get Hex grapes out into the world

Sector | Food safety

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Public Health lists 38 establishments affected by Enoki mushroom contamination

EU Commission first implementation report:

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

Industry input needed for Australian certification standards

New Zealand food safety recall on raw fruit juice

Enoki Mushrooms recalled due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination

FTI urges Thailand to scrutinize fruit and vegetable imports

US study says refrigeration reduces E. coli contamination in leafy greens

Sector | Nuts and dried fruits

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

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

The Chilean prune industry must continue to focus on China, without neglecting traditional markets

Asia and Europe are key markets for California pistachios and almonds

UK suspends tariffs on all raw almonds - beginning April 11

US exported more of its tree nuts than other major producers

Global trade of tree nuts has increased by 14 times in value since 2001

Macadamia nut prices rebound worldwide

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

Concerns raised over new EU packaging rules

New EU rules to reduce, reuse and recycle packaging

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

Sector | Retail

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Foodstuffs: 21 different fruit and vegetable items see double-digit price falls, year-on-year

Particularly fruit and vegetables accounted for 41% of Dino Polska's revenue

Vegetable wholesaler Farm Price announced net profit

Amazon: New online store in Ireland in 2025

Welsh exotic mushroom farmer wins life-changing Aldi contract

Waitrose to source fruit and vegetables from UK farms which use regenerative practices by 2035

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

Sector | Global Market

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GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW GRAPEFRUIT

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

Sector | Climate

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MedFEL 2024 conference

What diversification is possible in the face of climate change?

New report reveals avocados are getting smashed by climate change

Frosts cause Ukrainian apple harvest to be about 10 to 20 percent lower than usual

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

Sector | Cartoons

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Unusual culinary fusion: Durian stir-fry

Match sweetcorn eating stands at 52 ears in 12 minutes

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