FreshPlaza: Global Fresh Produce and Banana News

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

Softer demand slows movement on bell peppers

Early arrival of New Zealand SunGold kiwifruit in U.S. market

Third group graduates from avocado board’s leadership program

Committing to a climate-smart strategy step by step

Reaction to ruling on tomato imports from Mexico

Banana research in North Carolina aims to combat deadly fungus

Southwest Michigan fruit update – April 30

'Weather has been tricky the past few weeks, for fruit growers'

Study looks at challenges of climate change on potato production in Canada

"This investment will enable us to increase garlic production and harvesting in more areas"

Sector | Vegetables

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Nature-based shelf-life solution for key Italian vegetable ingredients

Much better season for Egyptian dry garlic

With a lack of space we grow our vegetables on the street

The State of Mexico, a leader in mushroom production

Wisconsin experiences vegetable crop acreage reduction

Cherry tomatoes makes it into Top 10 best-selling brands in France

“In Sweden Spring has been a disaster with 30% drop in glasshouse vegetable production”

Sector | Bananas

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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%

Attilio Pagni, Alimentari Ortofrutticoli ABC:

"We should try to value bananas more"

Saint Lucia farmers take issue with new banana boxes

Sector | Potatoes and Onions

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Adriaan van Belzen, Daily Onions:

"With the arrival of the first Egyptian red onions, it seems the period of shortages and high prices is coming to an end"

"Gulf and far east counties are promising markets for Egyptian processing potatoes in 2024"

Egyptian potato exports to Asia immune to red sea crisis

Egyptian onion exporters enjoy a calm competition

Potatoes New Zealand continues to make a difference in the industry

Cuban potato harvest again below expectations

Ukrainian farmers give away onions, which were so precious in 2023

Some onion supply relief comes on from Texas and Mexico

Sector | Exotic/Tropical fruit & vegetables

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Durian harvest

More historic timing on California’s upcoming fig season

Uganda tightens inspection on avocado, banana, and pineapples to improve export quality

The conquest of the Rio Grande Valley in Peru with pomegranates and blueberries

"Access for Kenyan and Australian avocados has ushered in a new era of possibilities"

FAO questions current agricultural expansion of berries, and avocados in Jalisco

Ly Nguyen - Van Xuan Agri

“We are planting more than 300 hectares with cooperatives and farmers"

Sector | Company news

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Ocean Network Express released Financial Result for FY2023

Full-year forecast for FY2024 sees a profit of approximately US$1 billion

AgDevCo in equity investment deal with Agris for growth of fresh-food production and distribution in East Africa

Dutch companies celebrate breaking ground for new building

GrubMarket expands further into South Africa through the acquisition of Global Produce

Grimmway Farms acquires to expand fresh-cut business

New director of integrated communications for California Walnut Board and Commission

COSCO SHIPPING Ports announces 2024 first quarter results

Total throughput increased by 9.8% Y-o-Y

Sector | Greenhouse

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Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture visits Mexican farms to ratify results

New greenhouse vegetable products introduced

Heading west to showcase greenhouse-grown produce

Strategic partnership formed to build Canada’s greenest greenhouse

Fraser Valley producers welcome home CPMA trade show

Stephen Cowan with Mucci Farms on CPMA Vancouver:

“We will celebrate all the amazing work happening in the Canadian produce industry”

Chef partnership champions sustainable agriculture

Sector | Logistics

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Noticeable improvement in schedule reliability in March 2024

Latest research from Fairmiles:

'At least 18 million livelihoods in developing countries are supported by airfreighted fresh produce'

Drewry’s World Container Index remains stable this week

FPC Chief on UK border strategy -

“We have become the laughing stock of Europe"

Carrier Transicold’s Lynx Fleet telematics solution helps Roamer Transport Inc. improve uptime and save truck loads

“Bigger demand than estimated led to organised chaos for enough specialised reefer vessels space from South Africa”

Cape Town's private port terminal operator adds electric forklifts to operations

Sector | Machinery

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Using robotics to help sort onions on Georgia farms

The future of logistics is automated

Video of the Calderoni inter-row tiller below

Interesting market trend also in North Africa

Autonomous robot harvester makes the cut with asparagus

Tomra food inaugurates new center in Valencia

FrostBoss launch new laydown fan tower:

The elegant solution to frost protection

Solar irrigation offering to be rolled out across sub-Saharan Africa

Sector | General fresh produce

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Most U.S. counties with high concentration of specialty crop farms are located along coasts

Photo report CPMA Vancouver

"Kenya is a minor fruit and vegetable sector player"

USMCA seasonal perishable products weekly update

Avocado shippers are busy filling Cinco-de-Mayo contracts and commitments

National Retail Report - specialty crops

Total ad numbers this week came in at 294,443

Minister of Agriculture Floyd Green:

‘Agricultural growth in Jamaica exceeds 10% in early 2024’

Vegetables and pulses outlook: April 2024

U.S. vegetable sales soar by 82 percent amid declines in harvest area and farms

Sector | Management

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Florida shifts towards mechanized tomato harvesting

'Mechanization will potentially balance labor cost advantages of other countries'

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

Charl du Bois appointed as new managing director of Capespan

European Parliament approves a revision of the EU’s common agricultural policy

Star Group names four vice-presidents of sales and procurement

MEPs approve trade support measures for Ukraine with protection for EU farmers

Paddie Allen appointed as new air freight director for PML Seafrigo

Sector | Miscellaneous

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Zespri faces potential loss due to mouse infestation in kiwifruit shipment

Finley, Washington

Lineage Logistics warehouse fire leads to mass evacuation

Birds threaten crops such as lychee, rambutan, mango, papaya, and corn

Kauai struggles with invasive parakeets

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

CBP officers seize millions worth of methamphetamine at Otay Mesa cargo in the US

Sector | Fruit

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Arkansas Fruit Breeding Program

Research brings new blackberry variety to Arkansas

Grow grape vine from grapes with a banana at home

Applications open for blueberry leadership program

Ilan Liwski, Phytech:

“We cover more than 100,000 hectares worldwide with our sensors”

Peaches and nectarines are already cheaper than apples in Turkey

Colorado's Palisade peach crop might be affected by late freeze

EastFruit reports on frost impact on berry crops in Poland, Serbia, Ukraine

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"

Fresh organic herb supply expected to start picking up in February

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"

Sector | Agenda

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María José Sánchez, Director of Fruit Attraction:

"This year, Fruit Attraction will surpass all previous figures"

Cobrey Farms, Coleraine Buildings, Wednesday, 26 June 2024 -

British Asparagus Conference 2024 to focus on key production aspects

Photo Report: SIAM 2024

Buyer interest sparks sold-out expo at IFPA Foodservice

Varietal innovation and certified quality in focus at Macfrut Plant Nursery Area

Sydney Markets’ fresh awards return in July

Great start to MedFEL 2024

Sector | Citrus

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Big satsuma yield expected in Georgia

Eddy Kreukniet, Exsa Europe:

"European market has room for quality South African oranges"

Growth in export demand may bring new opportunities

“Sales of Lunwan oranges are progressing slowly”

Joint venture acquires Prima Wawona packing houses in the U.S.

A difficult season for Moroccan citrus

The return of California Star Ruby grapefruit

Natural disasters, disease cut Florida orange production an estimated 92 percent since 2003/04

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"

Organic produce industry’s access to crop inputs focus of IFPA testimony to USDA

Better outlook for the Senegalese organic mango campaign

US organic imports triple, exports are increasing

Organic share of bananas continues to exceed 30 percent

Mexican organic orchards offer better psyllid control

New "Inverted Natural Branding" 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

US study looks into beneficial gut microbes through whole-food dietary fiber

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

Sector | IT

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Potato agronomy forecasts now available in myField App

From seed to plate, AI is transforming how and what we eat

Free farm management app to save Italian growers time this season

Webinar helps ag industry protect itself from cyber threats

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"

Orchard Robotics receives $3.8 mln to build robots and AI to power precision crop management

Sector | Innovations

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Utrecht University

Utrecht University research

Residual waste from mushroom cultivation removes pollutants from water

University of Illinois study:

Exploring sweet potato quality analysis in the U.S.

Polymer found in corn, potatoes and beans

Smart windows breakthrough in the U.S.

Post-harvest solution granted approval for use in Canada

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

Conserving two Olympic-sized swimming pools of water annually

Verdant Technologies and Sobeys partner on iceless broccoli

Sector | Processed fruit and vegetables

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Collecting apples for juice and pulp processing

Two new flavors join salad kit line

Second biggest processing factory in Nigeria formally opened

Pomegranate fiber added to specialty ingredients lineup

McDonald’s french fry perfume is real

6.7% increase from the end of 2022

Brazilian orange juice stock levels see a rise

New Florida fresh-cut facility showcased during Southern Exposure

Sector | Cooling

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Cold chain 101: Exploring the cold chain, one link at a time

Transportation and redistribution connects supply to demand

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

Bangladesh looks to US investment in cold storage to curb losses

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

Sector | Food safety

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Walnut recall in the U.S. due to E. coli concerns

EU Commission first implementation report:

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

Infinite Herbs-brand organic basil sold at Trader Joe’s stores

Organic basil: Outbreak investigation of Salmonella

Pesticide levels in imported produce are a concern in the U.S.

Industry input needed for Australian certification standards

Enoki Mushrooms recalled due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination

K-Fresh brand Enoki Mushroom recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes

Sector | Nuts and dried fruits

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Labeling debate over Hawaii's macadamia nuts

Low prices weigh on investments into US almond crops

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

US bearing almond acreage drops for the first time since 1995

Steve Koretoff & Flory Industries named 2024 Almond Alliance Members of the Year

"Chilean walnut production down by 15-25% compared to 2023"

Bearing almond acreage drops slightly – first time in decades

Sector | Packaging and Labelling

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Concerns raised over new EU packaging rules

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

ExxonMobil and Constantia Flexibles develop recyclable freezer film in Poland

Launch of new packaging solutions

White paper outlines new technology solution in PE cling film

IFPA A-NZ calls for national approach to fruit sticker ban

Spanish supermarket uses Finnish technology to reduce packaging waste

Sector | Retail

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Amazon launches new grocery delivery subscription

Getir said FreshDirect “will continue its operations”

Aldi: New stores in Mississippi and Texas

More areas for Walmart drones

Walmart: 2024 Annual Report and Proxy Statement

U.S. grocery sales are projected to slump over the next five years

Chipotle: Avocado-cutting robot is coming soon

Metro Inc. said that Q2 net income was down compared with a year ago

Carrefour’s sales rose 13.5% due to strong momentum in Latin America

Dom’s Kitchen & Market and Foxtrot Market ceased operations a few months after their merger

Wakefern Food Corporation will now offer DoorDash at its banners

Albertsons reported revenue of $18.3bln for the fourth quarter

166 stores added to Kroger’s divestiture plan for Albertsons acquisition deal

Sector | Global Market

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GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW MANGOES

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW ORANGES

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW SWEET POTATOES

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW STRAWBERRIES

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW LIMES

Global market overview peppers

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW GINGER

Sector | Climate

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Drought emergency declared in Washington

Unprecedented floods in the United Arab Emirates destroy greenhouses

Berry grower focuses on reducing carbon footprint

Dutch importers climate targets approved by science based targets initiative

First public consultation -

Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules for fresh produce is now open

Water reserves in Spain stand at 57.8%

Impact of La Niña on Chilean agriculture: challenges and expectations

Sector | Cartoons

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Carrot harvest uncovers ancient coin treasure

Garlic farmer's fury ignites wealth gap debate

Triathlon Triumph: racing with bananas

Peruvian farmer claims world's oldest man record at 124 years

Pilot tattoos favorite crop: courgette

Record for fastest marathon in fruit costume

Pringles and Crocs unveil snack-friendly boots in limited-edition collaboration