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Consumers are increasingly looking for packaging options that fit their budget

Volume building on Georgia blueberries

Increased production on Michigan asparagus for 2026

Freight and fuel costs surge, pressuring global vegetable imports

Guillermo Salas, of Greenvic

Chile's fruit sector reconsiders cherry production and bets on the potential of kiwifruit

Grape commission awarded $2.2 million through America First Trade Promotion Program

Luis Zapata, CEO of Agrogreen Hass

Global Hass avocado oversupply puts pressure on prices and affects Chilean market

National U.S. Retail Report weekly update - 17 April:

Spring produce ads decline as fruit prices show mixed trends

U.S. declares 82 North Carolina counties disaster areas due to drought

Food company expands financing facility to €7 million

Sector | Vegetables

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New HR varieties as a weapon against Nasonovia Nr:1

A look ahead at the Georgia vegetable season

"Turkish tomatoes have a strong position in international markets"

Babyleaf spinach adapts to climate and year-round demand
Seasonal perishable products weekly update - 15 March:

U.S. produce market mixed as tomato prices rise and cucumber prices fall

Carrot supply started to rebound in second half of winter

Demand outpacing supply for Baby Romaine Hearts

Sector | Bananas

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The decrease in the dollar's price impacts Colombian banana producers
Hortense Giraud, FARMS Digital

"We are stepping up our expansion in Latin America"

UK banana-shaped synthesizer raises £34k on Kickstarter

Non-browning banana approved in Japan and Brazil

Cameroon deploys trainees to strengthen plantain value chain
95% of India’s banana shipments stay closed for over a month

“Even after the ceasefire announcement, freight rates have gone up, not down”
Joe Manariti - Premier Fresh Australia

Diversity helps banana producer survive cyclone damage

Sector | Potatoes and Onions

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Ghana revises yam export data, revealing 559% increase

Egypt, India, and China are processing more potatoes, and Northwest Europe is feeling it

“Indian onion exports face double whammy from weather and war challenges”

Caribbean sweet potato project advances varietal identification
Bulltec (Italy)

New technology for separating potatoes and carrots from particles

Jamaican onion growers face losses as imports overlap harvest

San Luis Valley potato oversupply raises storage concerns

Sector | Exotic/Tropical fruit & vegetables

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Robert Blanjoue, Dole

A balanced pineapple market, but more uncertain from July onwards
An analysis by Gregorio Pagni - Alimentari Ortofrutticoli ABC

Global and seasonal dynamics reshape the pineapple market
José Andrés Pérez, Japaco:

Mexican avocado air freight costs skyrocket by up to 70% during low supply period

Mexico's APEAM formalizes a zero-deforestation agreement for avocado exports
Alessandro Pataro of Ananas Panama SA:

"Pineapple supply is currently outstripped by demand"

Early anticipated start for California Breba fig crop
Rebecca Scurr - Piñata Farms:

"If we grow the pie together it’s a bigger pie for everyone"

Sector | Company news

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Growy's Laura van de Kreeke on reaching national retail scale in the Netherlands

"We wanted to compete head-on with conventional produce"
Netherlands

Nunhems invests €40 million in next-generation seed processing facilities

STEP-UPP Retail Class completes immersive spring tour

Date brand announces strategic shift to strengthen U.S. market focus

Non-profit releases 2025 Annual Impact Report

ZIM CEO Eli Glickman to step down after nine years

CMA CGM to acquire Fattal Group pending regulatory approval

Sector | Greenhouse

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Combining tomato and cactus production in four-season climate of Colorado

US hobby breeders develop egg-sized watermelons for vertical farming and high-density production

Scaling integrated tri-country greenhouse network for consistent year-round supply
Plastic film shortage delays post-storm reconstruction

Greenhouse builders in Souss Massa under strain

Celebrating flavor with a new cherry tomato medley
"Monitoring and control can be done from Korea"

Korean smart farm technology drives hydroponic strawberry production in Uzbekistan

New tomato facility in Al Ain designed to grow 150,000 kg tomatoes annually

Sector | Logistics

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Iran returns Strait of Hormuz to military control

Air freight rates rise on fuel costs and airspace disruptions

African reefer shortages tighten produce export supply chains

High fuel prices weighing on produce industry

What lies ahead for growth at Port Houston?

Global freight rates rise as fuel costs and capacity tighten

Inland logistics capacity expands in southern Brazil

Sector | Machinery

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New fruit and vegetable dicer to debut at international trade shows
Flikweert Vision introduces upgraded QualityGrader with higher capacity and AI-driven sorting

New generation of sorting machines for potatoes and onions

Global demand supports shipments of aril extraction and potato sorting systems

AI-powered 4C optical sorter introduced for nuts and IQF processing
Norman Nieder-Heitmann – Gossamer:

"The constraint in most packhouses isn't people, it's flow"

"Growing interest in blueberry sorting machines is not random; it reflects global trends"

AGVs gain ground in the fresh produce sector: “It brings greater control to production”

Sector | General fresh produce

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Philippines waives tolls for farm trucks to cut logistics costs

Brazil targets top 10 position in global fruit exports
From Rotterdam to Scandinavia within 24 hours

Chocolate-coated grapes and mango ripening rooms: Fruity Pack's convenience ambitions
MultiWeigh GmbH celebrates its 25th anniversary:

"Traditional multi-head weighers for fruits and vegetables are increasingly being customized"

Global produce prices rise as input costs and supply chains tighten

U.S. announces $275 million in specialty crop funding for FY2026

India aims to cut fruit imports and focus on horticulture exports

Sector | Management

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U.S. budget proposal cuts fruit and vegetable benefits for WIC

Oil prices fall after US-Iran's conditional two-week ceasefire agreement

U.S. budget proposes 20% cut to USDA spending

Texas establishes Mexican fruit fly quarantine in Zapata County

CBP seizes $17.7 million meth hidden in blackberry shipment

U.S. farmers face water shortfall as Mexico misses treaty targets

WTO talks stall as Brazil blocks e-commerce moratorium extension

Sector | Miscellaneous

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Global economic growth outlook weakens as energy shock hits

Currency markets react to U.S.-Iran ceasefire uncertainty

Second-life batteries for irrigation in Yucatán

South African rand hits 3.5-year high

For sale: Poortcamp 10, De Lier

For lease: New distribution centre at Nieuw-Reijerwaard, Ridderkerk

Fresh produce honored on Syria's new currency

Sector | Fruit

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Marilyn Bull – Toro Fruit

No room for error in Middle East fruit exports
Mark Trzaskoma - Battunga Orchards:

"All of our coloured varieties look to be colouring really well”

Georgian apple exports increase 7% in volume in Q1 2026

Turkish stone fruit growers cautiously optimistic about 2026 season after last year's catastrophic frosts
Cautious Greek cherry traders:

“Better let the weather speak before we speak”

Africa achieves first gene-edited grapevine with improved resilience

Egyptian table grape season kicks-off

Sector | Herbs

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Colombian mint processing improves insect removal and efficiency

Aromatic and medicinal plants production in Morocco recovers from prolonged drought
Tom Amery - The Watercress Company:

"We are very proud that for the last 25 years we have not used any pesticides on our beds"

Demand jumps in 2026 for fresh herbs
Herb merchant Ahmed Bouklata on the current market situation:

"Year after year, we offer more cut herbs of Italian origin"

War, rain and flight cancellations disrupt basil supply to Europe

“Uzbek herbs take on Turkey and Egypt in EU markets”

Sector | Agenda

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Bangkok meet up adds fresh produce golf event to program
SIAM 2026:

Morocco’s agriculture shifts from performance to sustainability
Takeaways from Fresh Produce India 2026

"Cultivating premium fruit varieties requires premium effort"

IFPA’s The Retail Conference tackles packaging pressure with new EPR session

Baldor BITE 2026 line up announced

Hort Connections 2026 to take place in Adelaide in June

Full program announced for Fresh Produce India

Sector | Citrus

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Alessandro Barbera, owner and general manager of the eponymous group

Sicilian Rhaetus melon in the spotlight for its new campaign, with attention also to table grapes
Week 16 Fruit Wholesale Market Report:

South African grapefruits arrive earlier, while Queen apple supply increases
Christo de Jong – CAPAC

In a season of rising costs, packhouse focuses on unlocking value

South African citrus exports projected at 215 million cartons

"Introducing Onix in South Africa shows how innovation can travel between hemispheres"

U.S. expands citrus greening quarantine areas in California
Christo Naudé – Malelane Citrus

Top-notch lemon season makes way for tricky grapefruit

Sector | Organic

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How BioOrganic supports organic farmers in a risky, uncertain market

Climate change and retailer pressure squeeze European organic growers
Luciana Zamora of Zamora Citrus:

"Organic lemon supply falls short of European demand"

U.S. Northwest organic sector grows, but processing capacity lags

Ireland sees growth in organic vegetable sales

U.S. organic produce sales reach $22.7 billion in 2025
Long-term strategy outweighs short-term economics

Dutch sauerkraut producer converts entire cabbage cultivation to organic
Gerard Kenens, VerKen Bio Deli-Vers:

"Earlier start for Natyra due to higher volumes, but you do not leave a good apple unsold"

Sector | Health

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Flavonoid-rich foods associated with happiness in U.S. women

Scientists develop vitamin A-enriched tomato

Apple fiber helps fend off colon cancer and more

Moderate fruit and vegetable juice intake and its health effects

The consumption of superfoods continues to grow in France

New dietary guidelines reinforce essential role of fresh produce

Produce industry shows support of new Dietary Guidelines for Americans

Sector | IT

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AI system helps mushroom growers with crop monitoring and harvest prediction
Siddharth Jadhav - Polybee:

“We can tell growers exactly when to harvest for maximum in-spec yield"
Dr Sivam Krish - GoMicro AI

AI removing the "subjectivity tax" on the supply chain
"ULogs4A is more resistant to humidity and suited for long transits"

Newly launched data logger operates autonomously for up to 300 days without power

"We develop AI-based solutions for growers and nurseries"
BerryWorld live with QC app from FreshControl

“It took a next-level effort to incorporate all requirements into the inspection report”

Robotic apple harvesting

Sector | Innovations

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USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in Charleston, South Carolina

“From tissue culture to field trials, container farms allow us to control every step of plant development”
UAE FoodTech Challenge win

Akorn Technology readies for expansion in Africa and South Asia

Monitoring more than one million citrus trees with the help of AI

Pop Its snack cucumbers tap into demand for true bite-sized convenience

Fruit quality meters help manage harvest timing, lot segregation, and shelf-life performance

When efficiency in blueberry harvesting becomes a necessity

Custom LED gains ground as Italian nurseries push for efficiency

Sector | Processed fruit and vegetables

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Strong demand for fresh chilies and growth in habanero mash in a challenging market
Rob Langeveld, GreenS & SaladS:

From whole cauliflower to pre-cut convenience: how eating habits are reshaping the vegetable sector

Minions-inspired snacks, salads and vegetable kits unveiled

Alberta vegetable plant closure impacts workers and growers

New ZERO line meets consumer needs for food attributes
AFHORFRESH

The global geopolitical landscape has raised production costs for prepared fruits and vegetables by 5%
The SM2 pomegranate deseeder by PND (Italy)

Advanced technology for extracting arils and optimizing production space

Sector | Cooling

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Airclima expands in the fresh produce sector with refrigeration projects

"Cooling quality has a direct impact on product quality"
Cool Control expands to four cold stores with 12,000 pallet spaces in 30 years

"By offering a total package, we have grown with the foreign growers' organisations"

New 3,000-tonne freezing complex to be built in Ak-Suu, Kyrgyzstan

Year-round fruit supply in Australia depends on cold storage

“Bringing cold storage costs back to the levels of ten years ago is our principal aim”
Isolcell's vision for the future of fresh produce

"Controlled atmosphere, tailored ripening, and new global balances"

One Frio launches European cold storage platform after seven acquisitions

Sector | Food safety

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China improves pesticide practices to support exports

Canada recalls Fresh Start Foods salads over Listeria risk

Canada recalls Freshprep cucumber dill salad over Listeria risk

U.S. cucumber Salmonella outbreaks hit 69 cases in 2025,

U.S. recalls peeled garlic over botulism risk in three states

U.S. Tops recalls peeled garlic over storage temperature issue

Mexico and U.S. strengthen food safety cooperation as trade grows

Sector | Nuts and dried fruits

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Ranobo advances new construction and group identity despite geopolitical pressures

"Bright green pistachios set to disappear from the market for now"

California almonds face weaker demand as pistachio sales rise

California walnut shipments rose 43.6% in March

Pistachio prices reach eight-year high on supply constraints

U.S. almond shipments reach 117,028 tons in March

Australian macadamia program targets Asian markets

U.S. pecan receipts fall 35% to 23.45 million kg in February

Sector | Packaging and Labelling

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Labor shortages are driving automation

How automating herb processing can halve the number of staff needed

"The challenge is preserving the quality of cherries across the supply chain"

Reusable packaging supports cost control and compliance

A new packaging approach for leafy greens is being tested

Brand refresh debuting at Viva Fresh Expo

Supply security drives packaging decisions in Egypt’s table grape export season

“With the right ecosystem, pomegranate aril exports become a more predictable proposition”

Sector | Retail

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BJ’s Wholesale Club will open its first store in Texas on April 24

Save A Lot operators throwback pricing: Three pounds of bananas for $1
Prosus has entered into an agreement to sell 4.5% stake in Delivery Hero to Uber

Walmart: Massive store overhaul across the U.S.
Natural Grocers® and Rodale Institute: Annual Ladybug Love campaign

Aldi Süd's globally uniform store concept: Tests will continue in the US in 2026
Amazon and Winn-Dixie have greatly expanded their grocery delivery partnership

Acquisition of Instaleap by Instacart
New York City mayor announced location of city’s first publicly owned supermarket

Walmart No. 1 spot on NRF’s 2026 Top 50 Global Retailers list
Hannaford Supermarkets has named Tony Giunta Store Manager of the Year

Kowalski’s Markets has deployed EmpowerFresh’s AI-powered produce inventory
Instacart: A leading provider of fresh produce is partnering with Instacart Business

Empire has entered into an agreement to acquire Mayrand Food Group

Sector | Global Market

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GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW PINEAPPLES

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW STRAWBERRIES

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW LIMES

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW BELL PEPPERS

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW GINGER

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW CUCUMBERS

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW MANDARINS

Sector | Climate

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California stone fruit and cherry growers watchful of rains

South Texas growers await word on Mexico’s water deliveries

Florida growers seek federal support after prolonged freeze

Possible El Niño returns raise concerns in Ecuador

U.S. grower tests drone use for frost protection in orchards

Strawberry crop gains expected from California’s heat wave

Georgia growers relieved following last week’s cold temperatures

Sector | Cartoons

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Madhya Pradesh banana farmer protests low prices with half-naked vow

North Korean forest rangers fired for turning tree nurseries into vegetable gardens

TikTok-fueled fruit ice cream craze empties freezers across New Zealand

Cows wearing e-collars help boost potato yields in P.E.I. pilot project

Domino’s seeks Vatican forgiveness for pineapple pizza

Aomori’s ‘designer apples’ turn orchards into art

Fruity overdose: The bold new trend transforming perfumery

Sector | Rwanda

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Rwanda special (last part): Evergreen Holding

"With greenhouse conditions, we can produce strawberries all year round, even for export"
Rwanda special: Kinvest

Canadian capital, Rwandan fields: Building profitable farms with social impact
Rwanda special

Intercropping, outgrowers, and weekly flights: The operations model behind SOO Agro’s growth
Rwanda special: Kumwe Green Farms

"We have a lot to offer to European buyers"
Rwanda special: Virunga Biotech Limited

"We see a strong demand for chilies, ginger, and gherkins"
Rwanda special: Kotwidika

Promising trial for Valencia oranges
Rwanda special: Souk Farms

Rwanda advances steadily on the global fresh produce scene

Sector | Trade War

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New Zealand exporters assess U.S. tariff refunds after court ruling

U.S. court orders US$165bn tariff refunds as CBP develops CAPE system

Peruvian blueberry exporters have 180 days to claim US$ tariff refunds
Agexport, Guatemala

"Exports to the U.S. continue at 0% tariff after Supreme Court ruling"

Produce industry reacts to Supreme Court tariff ruling

South African agriculture welcomes possible 15% U.S. tariff cut

U.S. farmers divided after Supreme Court overturns Trump tariffs

Sector | Costa Rica

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Costa Rica special

Earth University: Where bananas fund the future
Luis Gustavo Arrieta, from Ambrosía Fresh

Costa Rican pineapple volumes recover in 2026, production gap is expected mid year
Costa Rica special: PCC – Piñas Cultivadas de Costa Rica

“We are the only pineapple company with pesticide-free certification”
Costa Rica special: Pineapple grower Fertinyc

"One extra week of shelf life thanks to our organic treatments and biofertilizers"
Costa Rica special: Cassava exporter The Golden Products

Drone technology, a five-year soil transformation and navigating wax regulations
Costa Rica special

Corbana takes a fresh look at how it tells the Costa Rican banana story
Costa Rica special: Upala Agrícola

"Demand for crownless pineapple, which now accounts for 15% of our exports, still grows"