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Cam Clayton - DMS Progrowers

Record season beckons for NZ kiwifruit

Australian growers turn to stabilised nitrogen as supply tightens

New Zealand fruit exports rise as kiwifruit and apples drive growth

New Zealand kiwifruit crop avoids major cyclone damage

New Zealand kiwifruit sector uses strict pathway to prevent Psa-V spread

Mohammed Ezzat, Egyptian grapes exporter:

"Buyers are focusing more on predictability"

China's chestnut production increases significantly this season, supports higher export prices

U.S. soft robot detects ripeness and harvests strawberries

Rob Pakvis (Berryland) on India's potential

“If those 1.4 billion people start eating 100 grams of blueberries per person…”

Eric Ramirez, Tropicales del Valle:

"There could be an overproduction or oversupply of pineapple in the coming weeks"

Sector | Vegetables

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Wisconsin cooperative expands supply of vegetables to schools
Freight costs weigh heavily

Wide variety of organic vegetables from Mexico coming on for spring season

New HR varieties as a weapon against Nasonovia Nr:1

Cyclone in Fiji causes US$1.5 million in agricultural losses

Australian mushroom production capacity increases by 40 tons p/week

"Turkish tomatoes have a strong position in international markets"
Sener Akdem of ILAPAK Packaging Machinery GmbH:

"Automated carrot packaging improves quality while reducing operating costs"

Sector | Bananas

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Galo Molina, Marplantis:

Demand exceeds supply, driving up Ecuadorian banana prices

Brazil registers Clarinha banana variety with lower chlorophyll levels

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
UK banana prices - week 15:

Banana prices fall up to 5% across key origins
95% of India’s banana shipments stay closed for over a month

“Even after the ceasefire announcement, freight rates have gone up, not down”

Sector | Potatoes and Onions

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Early harvest dominated by 50–70 mm onions

Greek spring onions just arrived

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”
Bulltec (Italy)

New technology for separating potatoes and carrots from particles

Potatoes New Zealand marks anniversary amid grower pressures

Canadian potato sector faces rising costs and export competition

Sector | Exotic/Tropical fruit & vegetables

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Cristian Moretti, director of Agrintesa:

"Positive green kiwi campaign, especially in recent months"

Volume picking up on Costa Rican pineapples
Robert Blanjoue, Dole

A balanced pineapple market, but more uncertain from July onwards
Luis Zapata, CEO of Agrogreen Hass

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

New Zealand tests protected dragon fruit production in Northland

Malaysian pineapple exports steady beyond Middle East

Mexico's APEAM formalizes a zero-deforestation agreement for avocado exports

Sector | Company news

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Andrea Bagnolini is the new director of Battistini Vivai

Continued growth focused on innovation
SecondBloom Auctions launches 500+ lot online liquidation of Eden Green Technology

Buyers can acquire million-dollar systems at a fraction of cost"
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

South Australian Produce Market appoints new chief executive

Food company expands financing facility to €7 million

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

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
"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

New shareholders for SweetPoint

Sector | Logistics

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Freight and fuel costs surge, pressuring global vegetable imports

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

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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Australian growers lose up to 1 million tons to food waste

Quarantine zone declared after Queensland fruit fly detection

Australian produce prices rise as supply tightens and fuel costs increase

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"

Costs and supply uncertainty continue to pressure Queensland growers

Sector | Management

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New Zealand and India set date to sign free trade agreement

Vegetables NZ chief executive to step down as new industry body launches

Victorian farmers push for stronger farmland protections

Australia secures additional fertiliser supply from Indonesia

VFF welcomes new Victorian agriculture and water ministers

Ireland launches €100 million fuel subsidy for farmers

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

Sector | Miscellaneous

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Global fertiliser supply tightens as affordability pressures grow

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

New Zealand fertiliser supply secure for autumn period

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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PSB Producción Vegetal launches its new campaign and will start with its visit days from week 17 onwards

"This confirms our position as a leader in extra-early stone fruit innovation"

Ganfer Fresh strengthens its grower network amid an increasingly pressured berry market

Chilean fruit exports to U.S. reach 260,000 pallets despite lower demand
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”

Chilean blueberry sector shifts to quality and varietal renewal
Cautious Greek cherry traders:

“Better let the weather speak before we speak”

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"
Herb merchant Ahmed Bouklata on the current market situation:

"Year after year, we offer more cut herbs of Italian origin"
Anthony De Ieso - Thorndon Park Produce:

"We lost coriander for two months and parsley and dill for two weeks"

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"

Hort Connections 2026 to take place in Adelaide in June

Full program announced for Fresh Produce India
Key takeaways from ChangeNOW Paris and Chapter Zero by Fatiha Charrat, Delassus

Agriculture cannot escape its paradox: both responsible and exposed
We will be back Tuesday 7th of April

Happy Easter from the FreshPlaza team

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

Vietnamese pomelos arrive in Australia for the first time

New Zealand satsuma mandarin season starts with strong supply

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

Egyptian citrus exports rely on Ain Sokhna port logistics

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"
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"
Organic shifts from niche retail to structured programs

“Organic success depends on agreements, not ideals”
Hugo Jacobs, Jacobs Fruit:

"Challenging organic apple season, but sales now picking up"
Biofach is a key event for operators specializing in organic products, such as Toñifruit

"Supplying tasty organic fruit is the best way to increase organic and biodynamic consumption in Europe"

Sector | Health

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

Scientists develop vitamin A-enriched tomato

Moderate fruit and vegetable juice intake and its health effects

The consumption of superfoods continues to grow in France

Certain compounds found in garlic can increase the lifespan of mice

Italian study tests citrus and grape supplement for glucose control

Cranberry Institute updates health research guide

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

Satellite IoT trial supports data-driven farming in South Africa

"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”

Sector | Innovations

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Palesa Motaung – Bread Africa

Farm-In-A-Box handles the paperwork so the farmer can stay in the game
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

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
AFHORFRESH

The global geopolitical landscape has raised production costs for prepared fruits and vegetables by 5%

New Zealand Hastings plant closure raises supply chain concerns
The SM2 pomegranate deseeder by PND (Italy)

Advanced technology for extracting arils and optimizing production space

"We're expanding our corn exports to new markets with new flavours in the pipeline"

Proposed closure of Heinz Wattie’s plants threatens NZ vegetable growers

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 Freshprep cucumber dill salad over Listeria risk

Canada recalls Dan-D nuts in over Salmonella risk

The European Commission updates the MRLs for various pesticides starting this year

New food safety laws for berry, leafy vegetables, and melon growers

“If Canada’s Destination Inspection Service closes, we destabilize the market and create long-term reputational damage”

Canadian Food Inspection Agency plans on discontinuing their produce inspection services

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"

Australian almond sales reach 154,113 tons in 2025-26

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. pistachio sector faces heat, water, and market pressures

South African nut exports rise 13.3% as global demand grows

Sector | Packaging and Labelling

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Maf Roda

Robots in stone fruit packaging

Consumers are increasingly looking for packaging options that fit their budget
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

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

Sector | Retail

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Maxima Grupė: 4.1% revenue growth in FY 2025

Aldi is expanding in London with eight new stores this year
Waitrose expanding into airport travel retail for first time: Fresh fruit

REWE Group has reached an agreement to acquire up to 40 Tegut stores
Prosus has entered into an agreement to sell 4.5% stake in Delivery Hero to Uber

New data: Bananas officially Australia’s most popular fruit
SPAR Gran Canaria plans to sell 500 tons of tomatoes from La Aldea

Tesco has reported higher full-year sales and cashflow
Uber Eats has gone live in Denmark

Italmark teams up with Amazon for grocery delivery
OurCoop invests £9.3mln in new stores

Sales in January-March grow from the previous year for S Group
Sodexo slashed its annual sales and profitability targets

Coop Danmark A/S: Recovery in FY 2025

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

New Zealand growers prepare for Cyclone Vaianu impacts

Possible El Niño returns raise concerns in Ecuador

New Zealand fruit growers face cyclone risk

U.S. grower tests drone use for frost protection in orchards
Ernst Slabbekoorn, Swift International:

"Reliable night frost protection high on the agenda after recent erratic weather"

North Carolina freeze risk for fruit crops in Henderson County

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 | 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

Produce industry reacts to Supreme Court tariff ruling

U.S. Supreme Court strikes down Trump tariffs, new 15% levy announced
Tensions have resulted in increased imports from Europe

Canada’s produce exports witness a boost due to limited supply and high prices in the U.S.

Importers to U.S. react to lifting of Brazilian tariff

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 | Costa Rica

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Costa Rica special: B&C Exportadores

From family farm to the world's largest chayote exporter
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

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"