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Julie McLachlan with Jealous Fruits, British Columbia

“It’s not as much as we had hoped for, but we do have a cherry crop”

New varietals and growing practices are helping boost raspberry consumption

Memorial Day demand for sweet corn unable to meet supply

Apeel's second pillar designed to enhance retail profitability

Softer tomato pricing expected to stabilize again in near future

“Around 50% of Clementine production in Uruguay affected by heavy rain”

USDA awards $4 million to Pear Bureau Northwest to diversify export markets

IFPA tracks trends with executive leaders in Chile

UF scientists finding new way to keep broccoli fresher, longer

ThroughPut.AI and Inteligistics

Strategic partnership to transform agriculture and fresh produce supply chains announced

Sector | Vegetables

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Stephen McCormack - McCormack Family Farms

"We were able to plant each week giving us a consistent supply, so maybe there is no harm in going a little later"
James Seddon - Seddon & Sons

"If we could just get 15-20 degrees and the odd shower, that would be perfect"
Jorn Poelman (Veggiehouse) aims to bring change to the fruit and vegetable trade:

"No opacity, but establishing honest chains"
Friedli Gemüse / Ernst Welti AG
Jörg Friedli and Bernhard Hug on the development of the frozen vegetable category and the private label welFRIeeze:

"Clearly, our flagship product is Swiss frozen Brussels sprouts"
Belize

Recent decline in carrot prices attributed to an oversupply, not imports

More Moroccan growers report weakening of ToBRFV

Cornell researches rhubarb in New York State

Sector | Bananas

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The Netherlands led the demand for Peruvian bananas in April

Top-10 banana producing countries in the world in 2024

Colombian banana exports grew by 18.8% in the first quarter

Early detection of Fusarium Wilt disease using key genetic markers

Jamaicans recognize critical importance of keeping TR4 disease at bay
Average wholesale prices of bananas in Europe - week 19

The average wholesale price of European bananas at €102 per 100 kgs in Spain

Australia approves commercialization of genetically engineered banana

Sector | Potatoes and Onions

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JC Watson Packing Co. building new packing shed in Wilder, Idaho

Last year’s potatoes in Ukraine now triple the price compared to previous year
Market and Crop Update for May 23, 2024

"The spring season is going well, and we don’t have much to complain about”

Developing a drought-resistant potato in Atlantic Canada

New purple sweet potato variety may drive U.S. exports to Europe

Hutton confirms extension of ‘Fight Against Blight’ funding for 2024 season

94.74% of growers supported the proposed Potatoes New Zealand levy

Sector | Exotic/Tropical fruit & vegetables

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"There was an increase in demand for kiwi after March"

Kiwifruit growers’ orchards saved after spray ruled safe for use

Mexico may see a gap in mango supply

How $400 pineapples sold out in days

Some claim the Australian avocado industry is in crisis

West Australian avocados make their mark in India
Record value off reduced volumes -

Zespri’s 2023/24 sales increased 2% to $NZD 3.99 billion

Sector | Company news

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ZIM reports financial results for the First Quarter of 2024

'Revenues for the first quarter were $1.56 billion, a year-on-year increase of 14%'
With the support of BNP Paribas Bank Polska

McCain Foods launches a unique regenerative agriculture program in Poland

Greenyard shows record-high results, crossing €5bn sales

SanLucar official freshness partner of the two top tennis tournaments in Germany for 2024

Youth leadership grant winners announced

CPMA announces 2024-2025 Chair
Northampton, PA

Sysco celebrates grand opening of new state-of-the-art distribution and culinary center

Sector | Greenhouse

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Mucci Farms expands operations with acquisition in Ontario, Canada

Pepper tote bags labeled with a spice meter
New trends in the greenhouse produce industry

Greenhouse locations migrate and product innovation continues
Juan Pablo Saucedo Romero of AgroSense México

“We found an effective means to minimize labor in Mexican greenhouses”
Horti Demo Centre – Dr Estelle Kempen, Adaduma Msana, Kholosa Nakani

"All South African greenhouses should collect and recycle rainwater"
UK Salads Limited

Bankruptcy spiral UK greenhouse after client rejections
Pleun van Malkenhorst, Thanet Earth Peppers Ltd / Thanet Growers:

"Growing demand from British retailers for lit cultivation"

Sector | Logistics

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Red Sea situation gives carriers a bottom-line boost
Lina Jasutiene, founder of the on-demand cargo claims recovery hub Recoupex:

"Exporters are eager to upskill, gather necessary documentation, and actively pursue recoveries"
Pier 2 privatisation still “up in the air”

Durban port equipment failure is a worry

Panama Canal increases daily transits

Bountiful harvests in the Southern Hemisphere drive reefer shipping growth
Dawie Scholtz, LBH Mozambique: “In Maputo you can still plan according to the shipping schedule”

Current citrus crop and market dynamics usher Maputo to the fore

Drewry’s World Container Index increased 11% this week

Sector | Machinery

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Ecomeccanica's contribution to farmers in the Sele Valley

Vegetable producers have a new ally in the fresh-cut sector
Francesco Pellerano (Italy)

"Our mulchers are in demand in Egypt"
Tomra -

Machinery guarantees safety and quality of organically farmed packaged salads at Italian cooperative
6+6 Rotopack by REC Packaging Solutions

An ultra-delicate weighing machine with packing bench

Introducing Scalibur: Potato slicing with Dual Rotation Technology

A fully automated cherry truss tomato harvesting robot to hit the market
Manufactured by Bulltec for Colt.Or: watch the video!

A fennel grader focused on the utmost efficiency

Sector | General fresh produce

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Georgia agricultural innovation center to bring farmers from fresh to value-added markets
Grønt Fra Nord opens new farm in Fauske

Norway: Maintaining import prices ‘to stay relevant’

CPMA welcomes Loblaw’s support for Canada’s Grocery Code of Conduct
Simon Matthews - AgriCoat Nature seal

"We are doing some really exciting things with ready to eat products for salad bowls and sandwiches"

New tariffs on Chinese goods announced by the U.S.
Charles Mwirumbi - Charic Fresh Fruits & Vegetables Exporters

Ugandan exporter sees big interest at Macfrut
Tewodros Zewdie - Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporter’s Association

"Blueberries and avocados are up and coming products for export”

Sector | Management

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USDA awards $300 million to diversify export markets for U.S. agriculture

Department of Labor recovers more than $450k in back wages, damages for 62 workers at Half Moon Bay farms

Dr. Elliott Grant of Alphabet’s Mineral named a Sun World director

FEFCO welcomes new President Nina Iversen

Water dispute escalates between the US and Mexico, impacting Texas

Inflation trends in the U.S., impacting the dollar

France fights shrinkflation in supermarkets

Sector | Miscellaneous

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CBP officers seize $5.4M in methamphetamine at Pharr International Bridge
World Bee Day, May 20

Macro-sanctuary has tripled bee population

NSF and USDA join forces in agricultural robotics research

Zespri faces potential loss due to mouse infestation in kiwifruit shipment
YouTube
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
Portugal

Berry fruit production and water challenges in Mangualde

Sector | Fruit

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South Carolina peach growers expect good crop

Putting the spotlight on California blueberry grower

Red Sea crisis benefits Egyptian table grape exporters

Spring frost strikes Serbian blueberry plantations

Mexico's berry production is expected to fall by 20% this year due to weather

Blueberry council awarded $1.3 million from Regional Agricultural Promotion Program

Northwest cherry harvest forecast brings hope

Sector | Herbs

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Moroccan rosemary supply hit by drought
Gruppo Mec
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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What to expect from this year’s SWIPE

Keynote announced for Organic Produce Summit

An evolving and expanding trade fair in Azerbaijan

IFPA's Produce & Floral Leadership Path Programs applications open
Browse the photo gallery

The enthusiasm of exhibitors confirms Macfrut as an international event
B2B Meetings, Warsaw, Poland, 17-18 September 2024 -

New highlights for companies interested in Polish retail market

IFPA honors front line with Retail Produce Manager Awards

Sector | Citrus

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Fredri Kok – Patensie Citrus

“For the first time in a long while, we’re back to a normal citrus crop”

Florida Citrus Black Spot quarantines expanded
The season will end at the beginning of June

"Now Saudi Arabia is also asking us to be a major supplier"

Less supply on larger sized limes

Demand for large size Navel oranges never caught up with supply
Gary Britz, Ele Trading:

“Slower citrus season is like starting a second-hand car that has not kicked into gear yet”

Historically low orange production forecasted in Brazil for 2024-2025

Sector | Organic

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University of California

New study estimates costs for growing coastal organic strawberries
Under its Frezz label

Aartsen expands organic fruit range

U.S. organic sales witnessed a market surge in 2023
Organic Produce Summit:

Panel to explore regional differences in organic produce sales
Dreamstime
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

Sector | Health

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Tianjin University of Science and Technology

Exploring the potential of purple sweet potatoes in gastric ulcer treatment

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

Sector | IT

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Tendai Chitapi, Oliver Windram – Kuronga

Smoothing the farming journey, the AI way
Pierre-Antoine Rohr, AgriCompa:

“We solve collaboration and save time for all import and export partners in the value chain”
Australia

AI-powered weather forecasting accuracy set to help local growers
Optiflux introduces OptiPallet and OptiLab

"We wanted to make our storage solution accessible for smaller volumes as well"
AgroFresh

Post-harvest digital platform plays vital role in global success of Goede Hoop Citrus
Agromanager

“Traders and retailers can get real-time crop insights”
medFEL 2024

Can artificial intelligence revolutionize our sector?

Sector | Innovations

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A device that sucks in and filters ethylene while releasing purified air

Showcasing a display stand that extends shelf life by 30%

Canadian market next for produce shelf life extension technology

Supply chain enhancements roll out
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

Sector | Processed fruit and vegetables

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Fruit and vegetable equipment up for auction

Florida citrus juice sales continue to decline

Driscoll's Maroc is building a berry processing plant in Larache

The process of making the famous pomegranate juice in Bangkok

40th year celebration brings new product offerings

Collecting apples for juice and pulp processing

Two new flavors join salad kit line

Sector | Cooling

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Michael Panuccio, Freshxpress:

"This isn’t just another cooling machine, it’s a game-changer"
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

Sector | Food safety

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Meta brand Enoki Mushroom recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes

Fungicide residue in U.S. cherries leads to seizure in Taiwan

AFBF appreciates release of House Farm Bill Text
Newly released DPR data indicates:

"97% of fruits and vegetables tested in California are free of illegal pesticide residues"
Nuts from Gibson Farms, Inc. of Hollister, California

E. coli investigation linked to organic walnuts ongoing

FDA and CDC are investigating Salmonella outbreak linked to fresh basil
Zeebrugge, Belgium

Over a million trays of NZ kiwis set for destruction due to mice infestation

Sector | Nuts and dried fruits

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USDA
Opportunities for tree nut exports to Brazil

Brazilian nut market is showing promising growth

Shift in Australian almond consumption patterns in India
UB research -

New methodologies to prevent fraud in determination of geographical origin of hazelnuts

Pistachios named “Official Snack” of video game festival

USDA forecasts larger almond crop
Mintec survey:

U.S. market expects April almond shipments to have been strong
Acadian Plant Health looks at Californian cultivation

Almond study shows biostimulants improved water use amid record regional temperatures

Sector | Packaging and Labelling

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University of Cordoba study:

Avocado pruning residues used to produce more sustainable food packaging

Home compostable produce label launches with cost-effective advantage
Ronald Borst (Paardekooper) on paper flowpacks:

"For businesses aiming to reduce their plastic usage, we offer CartoPaper as a viable alternative"
Nico Treurnicht & Cornel Oosthuizen – Ergopak

South African scale technology finds foothold in European and Moroccan packhouses

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

Sector | Retail

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Dreamstime
Target Corporation: First quarter 2024 financial results

UNFI has extended its primary distribution deal with Whole Foods Market until May 2032
Dreamstime
Walmart is growing its Neighborhood Market format

T&T Supermarket is partnering with DoorDash
Dreamstime
GrubMarket has completed the acquisition of Butter

Target has reduced prices on fruit and vegetables
Dreamstime
Joe V's Smart Shop's first location outside Houston will make fresh foods and vegetables more accessible

Fitzgerald's Foods is being acquired by Geissler's Supermarket
Dreamstime
Niemann Harvest Market first of its kind in Indiana

Walmart reported another quarter of strong results
Dreamstime
Kroger shared how customers can make the most of warm weather meals boasting lots of fruits and veggies

Meijer: Three new supercenters in a single day
Dreamstime
Welch’s Fruit Snacks: Gordon Ramsay serves as the first “CFO” - or Chief Fruit Officer

Significant milestone: Publix has donated 100mln pounds of produce

Sector | Global Market

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GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW PINEAPPLES

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW GRAPEFRUIT

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW BLUEBERRIES

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW MANGOES

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW ORANGES

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW SWEET POTATOES

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW STRAWBERRIES

Sector | Climate

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Vermont fruit growers seek recovery after devastating frost
MedFEL 2024 conference

What diversification is possible in the face of climate change?
USPA Fruit:

Frosts cause Ukrainian apple harvest to be about 10 to 20 percent lower than usual

Sustainability at core of Italian club apple production strategies

Committing to a climate-smart strategy step by step

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

Drought emergency declared in Washington

Sector | Cartoons

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McDonald’s sweet potato ice cream delights

Princess Anne's unique banana preference

Prime video: "Panchayat" promoted with printed bottle gourds

Customer dissatisfied with vegetable portion size from delivery service

Monkeys menace pineapple farm

Proper corn on the cob etiquette revealed

Euro 2024: no fruit for fans, sausages get pricey