FreshPlaza: Global Fresh Produce and Banana News

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Elad Mardix, CEO of Clarifruit:

"We're creating one, standardized language to evaluate quality across entire fresh produce value chain.”

Lack of water in Mexico will inevitably have impact on winter vegetable market

Vertical packaging machine with modular design unveiled

Hurricane Milton's impact on Florida citrus: varying damage across the state

Partnership brings new almond blends to retail produce departments

New 4-count mango product to be unveiled

Rico Farms receives EFI certification

Summer Series Berries added to greenhouse grown berry lineup

New CEO and President for I Love Produce

Greenhouse grower expands locally grown network

Dragon fruit sees peak popularity in transitional fruit season

Sector | Vegetables

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© Vlad Teodor | Dreamstime.com

"tomato prices will increase"

Australian workers counting cost of ToBRFV

G’s Growers -

UK Ministerial and U.S. Embassy visit table beetroot grower in Cambridgeshire

Philippines eyes Indonesia, Vietnam for ginger imports amid high China prices

Philippines faces ginger price surge, imports to stabilize market

UK: Mushroom lifespan extended through use of paper, lack of plastic

Peat-free mushrooms in sustainability push a first for UK supermarkets

Organic South African pumpkins hugely popular in Germany

Sector | Bananas

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Emerson Aguirre Medina, president of Augura (Association of Colombian Banana Growers)

Colombian banana industry aims to increase productivity by 5% by 2025

"The supply of bananas has increased, prompting a downward change in the market"

Racing against disease: The quest for a future-proof banana

Coliman Bananas at IFPA’s Global Show

Banana grower wants to show commitment to innovation and sustainability

Warner's distillery introduces banana rum in the UK

Fairtrade enhances sustainable banana offer to boost workers' income and support living wages worldwide

Softripe continues international expansion in Latin-America

"Successful use for bananas and avocados in Chile"

Sector | Potatoes and Onions

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US and Australian experts discuss potato disease management

Exploring sweet potato cultivation in Hungary

Indonesia boosts global food market presence with focus on shallot exports

Mohamed Moustafa from Starfruit International GmbH:

"The market situation for Egyptian sweet potatoes now seems to be slowly normalising"

Tearless sweet onions back in season

Notable declines in EU potato production with only 35% clearance in Northern France and 15% in Normandy

Harvest continues on average-sized PEI potato crop

Sector | Exotic/Tropical fruit & vegetables

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"In Brazil, the demand for kiwis has increased"

Goldenberry cultivation in Minas Gerais: a potential yet challenging market

Harvest for Turkish pomegranates has begun

Morocco expects to harvest more than 90,000 tons of avocados this season

Garlic, ginger, stringless sugar snap peas, and Empress lychee

Global produce sourcing company offers customized solutions

New papaya namesake label pays tribute to founder

Singapore durian sellers accused of mislabeling variants and origins, sparking concerns over authenticity

Sector | Company news

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New CEO and new look for Katzman

California farm tour focuses on investing in agriculture development

Lamb Weston achieves full ownership of Argentine subsidiary, enhancing presence in Latin America

Fair trade USA welcomes new chief growth officer

California grower celebrates 25 years of partnership with Breast Cancer Research Foundation

Texas International Produce Association and the Houston Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association

Historic merger between TIPA and HFFVA celebrated with golf tournament

Wholesalers call on Melbourne Market Authority Board to resign

Sector | Greenhouse

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Photo report: A visit to Emirates Bustanica

"We stick to manual processes to maintain flexibility"

Introducing Shake & Snack grape tomatoes

Greenhouse grown bell peppers from Colombia take volatility out of the market

Launch of new greenhouse grown veggies and a sustainable packaging option

New On the Vine tomato line makes its mark

New greenhouse grown mini melon starts shipping

Sustainable packaging and fresh new looks step into the spotlight

Sector | Logistics

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Transnet moves to expedite review process for Durban container terminal contract

DP World announces £1bn expansion of London Gateway

Urgent action needed to mitigate energy blackout threat to food supply chain resilience in Africa

Drewry’s World Container Index decreased 4% to $3,349 per 40ft container this week

Montreal dockworkers launch overtime strike amid contract talks

Upcoming 10-17% capacity reduction following USEC port strike

Gemini cooperation update: network shift due to Red Sea safety concerns

Sector | Machinery

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OTA partners complete onion processing plant in the U.S.

PND - Fruit Processing Machinery

It's fresh-cut butternut squash time

New mobile box filler on display at Interpom

New food grading solutions launched in Madrid

Precision vegetable processing technology on display at double round of shows

It will be presented at the LUV trade fair in Bari, Italy

A new industrial weighing system for use in fruit and vegetable warehouses

How much money do you lose due to overweight in blueberry packing?

Sector | General fresh produce

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High hopes for apples, potatoes, and cherries in Columbia Basin amid challenges

Georgia agriculture suffers $6.46 billion loss from Hurricane Helene

Week 41 - National average wholesale prices of home-grown horticultural produce

Apples experienced the biggest price decrease with 23%

Belarus introduces export ban affecting Russian apple market

Georgia agriculture department launches crackdown on drug smuggling in produce

Specialty crop retail prices across the US: A detailed overview for October 2024

Hurricane impact and seasonal shifts influence market trends in North America

Sector | Management

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IFPA ANZ searches for new managing director as association enters growth era

Eskom marks 200 days without load shedding in South Africa

Israeli currency under pressure due to prolonged conflicts

Brazil tightens monetary policy amid rising food prices, while Mexico cuts rates as inflation eases

UK extends waiver on import requirements for EU goods until January 2025

ILA port worker strike concludes with wage agreement in the US

Ian Albers takes over as chairman of Citrus NZ in Gisborne

Sector | Miscellaneous

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Brighter Bites participates in Halliburton golf tournament

Study shows pesticides go beyond fruit skins

"The agreement between Antolin and PersiSkin is a dynamizing factor for the kaki sector"

persiSKIN AUTO, a new leather made from kaki waste for interior coverings in the automotive sector

Perry van der Meer active as inspector for 40 years

"The inspector of the past is the quality advisor of today"

"Kiwifruit harvest season opens with increased market demand for high-end, single-packaged products"

Abelardo Hernández, technical director of Proexport and coordinator of the Nitrosfera project:

"We plan to implement nitrogen fertilization strategies that complement the restrictions in place"

The Costa Tropical is on alert due to the presence of a beetle that affects avocado trees

Sector | Fruit

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Silvana INTA, Argentina's new plum variety

"The success of our cranberry promotion lies in in-depth product analysis and channel diversification"

California heat spell takes toll on strawberries

Cosco Shipping launches 'Chile' vessel to boost cherry exports to China

Boosting Mexico's berry production with infrastructure upgrades

Company's commitment to community support and worker welfare in Honduras

NZ kiwifruit growers back Zespri's global expansion plan amid rising demand

Sector | Herbs

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Kruiden Claus sees upward trend in unknown herbs

"People need to familiarize with the wide array of herbs available"

Demand to pick up in early September for fresh herbs

Anthony De Ieso - Thorndon Park Produce

"This year has been very favourable; coriander is a quick turnaround from seed to harvest"

South Korea and U.S. reach agreement on Korean ginseng and Texas grapefruit exports

Meal boxes: a stepping stone to increased herb consumption

"Hydroponics is our main business"

Micro's Unilight:

"Our next target market will be sandwich stores and exporters"

Sector | Agenda

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Photo Report: Fruit Attraction 2024

Rijk Zwaan Ibérica

Orange Sunglow watermelon wins Fruit Attraction Innovation Award

Bergamo,, Thursday 23rd of January 2025 -

International business meetings with retailers in Italy, third edition

Overview of retailers attending SWIPE 2024

Registration opens for 2024 New York Produce Show and Conference

Rainy day at second day of Fruit Attraction

Organization is 'very satisfied' with Interfresh Eurasia switch to Izmir

Sector | Citrus

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Hurricane Milton hits Florida orange production, orange juice futures climb

"The honey pomelo market has been delayed, less small sizes for European market"

Finger limes are growing in production and demand

Turkey sets export dates for satsuma mandarins

Significant decline in Florida citrus production estimates for 2024-2025 season

Egyptian citrus exports exceed 2 million tonnes mark for the first time

Mexico deploys troops to protect lime growers in Michoacan

Sector | Organic

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Ontario's 2024 Organic Market Report released

"Ontario's organic market continues to see robust growth"

Paul Marais – SOGA Organic

Europe’s orange protocol causes “enormous destruction of value”

Lion Farms presents an extensive range of organic mushrooms in Florida

Organic seedless grapes: production growth in Italy and in the world

Melissa Sampayo, manager of Bioma Colombia

Bioma Colombia: innovation in regenerative agriculture with organic lulo

New organic vegetable specialty division to serve the Southwest

Paul Davidson, Commercial Director of Sol Ogánica, Nicaragua

Push for ROC-certified organic products

Sector | Health

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"Today, there are twice as many food banks in Great Britain than there are McDonald's outlets."

UK toddlers' diets dominated by ultra-processed foods, study finds

© Vrushali Pashte | Dreamstime.com

US: Could a compound in chilis lower blood sugar levels?

Sanlucar and football club VFB Stuttgart -

New fresh produce campaign support various social projects in Germany and South Africa

Five seasonal fruits aiding in blood pressure control

Link between fruit and vegetable intake and reduced frailty risk in adults

Consuming four servings of cruciferous vegetables daily could aid in reducing blood pressure

Sector | IT

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"With just one click, both exporters and their customers can know where their goods are at all times"

Odlarlaget takes on imported vegetables in Sweden with the help of AI

Apple-picking robot in action

GoMicro - AI Quality Assessment

"Allowing farmers and harvesters to convert what they have got into digitally tradeable goods will be a game changer"

Citrosol presents its CATsystem at Fruit Attraction

Quality inspection app now available on smartphones

Tasmanian vegetable growers tackle biosecurity with technology

Sector | Innovations

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AI revolutionizing agriculture: enhancing efficiency and sustainability

Dell and Moyo launch AI-powered drone to combat crop diseases in South Africa

A new solution for enhanced food safety and FSMA 204 compliance

New robot avocado line adds automation to avocado processing

Global agreement to develop certified compostable Price Look Up (PLU) stickers for fresh produce

Pioneering lower carbon parsnips set to hit UK stores this November

Agricultural robots in action

FIRA USA 2024 is almost here

Sector | Processed fruit and vegetables

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Five new salad kit offerings to hit store shelves

Daniel Rohrseitz from Rohrseitz GmbH in Frankfurt:

"Increasing demand for hand-cut fruit"

"We anticipate strong demand for pomegranate arils"

European fruit processors says lack of spring impacts 2024 summer crops

Premium 100 percent pure avocado oils make debut

Chopped salad kits make debut

Are canned and frozen vegetables still popular?

Sector | Cooling

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Expansion of temperature-controlled logistics in Chile

Emergent Cold LatAm boosts colombia's cold storage capabilities with expansion

Nature-based shelf-life solutions to be showcased in Madrid

Evy van Gastel, Fruit Service Collective:

"New ripening technology allows us to differentiate in exotic products"

The symbiotic relationship between ethylene and fruit ripening

New portable cold stores deliver energy efficiency and sustainability advantages for Blue Cube

Port Houston approved for cold treatment

Sector | Food safety

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Central American countries warned about locust outbreaks threatening crops

New report sheds light on Salmonella outbreak in Canada four years ago

APHIS' role in enhancing SPS regulations and food security

Strengthening agricultural practices and trade in Africa

APHIS seeks public input on citrus import risk from Botswana

Recall alert: Jacks and the Green Sprouts alfalfa products linked to listeria risk

Outbreak of Salmonella umbilo linked to Italian rocket affects multiple countries

Virus-hit tomatoes are safe to eat according to food authority

Sector | Nuts and dried fruits

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Nathalie Gaillard, CING

A 4th variety in the specifications for the Grenoble walnut PDO?

Date brand booth offers restful retreat at Global Show

Pistachio market keeps growing, led by U.S. production and exports

France Food acquires Fruits Rouges du Périgord

"We want to revitalize the chestnut and nut sector from southwestern France"

North America’s largest date grower and processor debuts and is regenerative organic certified

USDA Tree Nuts Annual Turkey

Record pistachio production expected in Turkiye by 2024/25

Pistachio cultivation thrives in Spain amid climate challenges

Sector | Packaging and Labelling

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Partnership brings sustainable packaging innovation in berry industry

Mushroom packaging gets a makeover

Launching kids' packaging for apples with sustainable message

Opportunities in the European market for sustainable packaging

Fruit Attraction 2024

Revolutionizing fresh food logistics with launch of ultra-light, smart-tracking Nestor pallet

Sinclair and Zespri joining forces on sustainable labeling

Launch of Tenderland brings new produce brand to North America

Sector | Retail

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Kroger Family of Companies are seeking to hire more than 25,000 associates

SpartanNash: Acquisition of a 49-store supermarket chain serving Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky

Grabango has permanently ceased operations

7-Eleven closing 444 underperforming stores across North America

CIO: Weis Markets is getting an e-commerce boost with Amazon

Costco: Higher sales in September

Walmart is kicking its adaptive retail strategy into high gear

Lidl will relaunch its brand in the United States

Save A Lot partners with Fabric and Uber

DoorDash: Expanded partnership with Wegmans Food Markets, Inc.

Sam’s Club tests a future without checkout lines

Fresh Thyme Market: Mango-Everything (and Everywhere!)

Natural Grocers® is proud to promote "Field to Can"

AFS debuts new grocery format

Sector | Global Market

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GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW LIMES

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW SWEET POTATOES

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW ORANGES

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW PINEAPPLES

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW ONIONS

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW BANANAS

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW AVOCADOS

Sector | Climate

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Hurricanes Helene and Milton affect southeast green bean production

Florida’s main citrus region saw some of the strongest winds during Hurricane Milton

Researchers reveal how extreme weather significantly affects crop yields through detailed local studies

Peru's potato heritage and the challenge of climate change

California's Central Valley walnut harvest hit by intense October heat, facing significant yield reductions

Threatening citrus

Florida growers brace for monster storm Milton, one of the strongest hurricanes on record

USDA launches comprehensive support for Hurricane Helene-affected farmers and communities

Sector | Cartoons

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Affordable lime hack for removing mattress stains

Vegetable-themed buns at swish rolls bakery in Singapore

Real Juice Company

Citrus sculptures for Spring Fest 2024

parametric-architecture.com

Using vegetables in architecture

Blueberry eating world record

Rob Machado’s avocado-inspired surfboard: the Machadocado

Viral purple apples are fake, causing real-world confusion