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"We had a growing airfreight export, but the cost and unreliability of airfreight has largely killed this”

Gilad Sadan - The Packaging Hippie

Packaging made to tell the premium produce story

Australian banana growers delivering for consumers despite rising costs

Australia detects grapevine virus, spread under investigation

Global freight and logistics remain volatile as fuel costs stay elevated

Absence of Iran tightens India’s apple stocks; prices for other origins rise

Jon Clark - Fruit World International

"At this stage the Northern Hemisphere cherry season looks to be a well balanced one"

Researchers find solar panels can reduce crop stress while maintaining yields in commercial vegetable systems

The future of farming may be shaded

September 29 to October 2, 2026

The 11th International Symposium on Table Grapes will take place in Murcia, Spain

Slow campaign for Kenyan avocados in the European market

Sector | Vegetables

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Fiji launches farm recovery after cyclone causes $1.5m crop losses

Regional diversification has been essential in maintaining reliable asparagus supply

New Zealand vegetable roadshow highlights research adoption

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

Australian mushroom production capacity increases by 40 tons p/week

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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U.S. potato breeding improves chip varieties and storage performance
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

Sector | Exotic/Tropical fruit & vegetables

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Costa Rica special: Grupo VISA

"Being in the market lets us understand customers better and offer tight logistics solutions"
Sustained heat impacts production areas

Chinese zero-residue lychees expand into European market

Management contract awarded for Madagascar lychee exports to Europe
Mario Otsuka, Gold Fruit:

"Sometimes the market won't accept higher mango prices, so we have to bear the cost"
Isaías Zarzavilla, Isalbert Fruits S.A.:

"Costa Rican pineapples used to be a dollar cheaper, but now we're at the same level"

The dragon fruit market remains sluggish this season, and artificially lit fruit has not revived demand

Canada’s avocado consumption market offers meaningful room for expansion

Sector | Company news

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Pardee Resources Company announces agreement to sell its table grape assets

100-year-old Del Monte Holland moves from Bleiswijk to Rotterdam

LumiRay celebrates Tianjin factory launch during landmark week for Dutch horticulture in China
The Rosenbaum Group is setting new standards in apprenticeships:

"We don’t view this as a cost factor, but rather as an investment in the future"

Growers and innovators urged to step into the spotlight as Fresh Awards 26 deadline nears

Mission Produce and Calavo Growers advance merger toward July 2026
Andrea Bagnolini is the new director of Battistini Vivai

Continued growth focused on innovation

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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U.S. logistics shifts as air freight capacity declines

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

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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U.S. retail consolidation reshapes fresh produce supply chains

New Zealand retailers adjust supply chains to manage rising costs

U.S. soft robot detects ripeness and harvests strawberries

New Zealand fruit exports rise as kiwifruit and apples drive growth

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

Sector | Management

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Oman to invest $243 million in agriculture

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

Sector | Miscellaneous

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Russia extends fertilizer export quotas as global supply tightens

Australian growers turn to stabilised nitrogen as supply tightens

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

Sector | Fruit

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Hernán Vicuña, Agrovic:

"Many attractive markets were flooded with cherries, which affected their performance"

Egyptian administrative court confirms validity of plant variety protection for Sugrathirteen
Andrew Smith - R&R Smith

Blissful season blooms for Tasmanian apple grower

Disappointing prices for Moroccan blueberry exporters

Chile's fruit industry launches new BabyPlum Club
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"

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

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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Imported citrus demand heats up in India as summer intensifies

Turkey and Egypt double their exports of small citrus to the EU
Natalie King - Vitafresh Produce:

"Marsh grapefruit is an older variety, but it is still very highly valued in certain markets"
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

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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From satellite images to seed advice: Experience Data brings AI to the fresh produce sector

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"

Sector | Innovations

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Chad Miller – AgrivestedBioAg

Going back to our roots’ roots
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

Sector | Processed fruit and vegetables

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Value-added ginger, chilli, okra, tomato find their place on European shelves

Dehydrated vegetables are turning India’s post-harvest losses into export wins
Smits Uien's convenience ambitions beyond basic processing

Caramelised onions, pickled rings, and shallots

One-third of Dutch labor costs: Why Springfresh keeps processing in Poland

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

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

Sector | Packaging and Labelling

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"Our approach focuses primarily on solutions based on molded pulp packaging"

"Undeniable shift toward fiber-based materials"

Tosca and Cabka partnership launches PPWR-compliant circular pallet
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

Sector | Retail

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Ocado Retail's new Future of Food Edit aisle: Isle of Wight Tomatoes

REWE Group has surpassed the €100bln revenue threshold in FY25
Just Eat Takeaway.com Switzerland is teaming up with Migros

Billa Austria and foodora's bananas most popular
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

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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Eric Ramirez, Tropicales del Valle:

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