Red Otter Farms: One of the first and biggest aquaponics growers of India

"We are a soilless farming company, growing our produce in water. The otter is a fun-loving aquatic mammal and symbolizes our efforts. The Red Otter is a rare species of the otter family, much like us. We were one of the first movers in the space in India and are pioneering commercial aquaponics farm…

Svensson Americas doubles office in size

Svensson’s Americas subsidiary is undertaking a major expansion at its Charlotte, North Carolina location. The expansion, which is expected to be complete by the end of the summer 2019 will add an additional 30,000 square feet of warehouse space to Svensson’s existing 28,000 square feet of warehouse and…

CAN (ON): Niagara greenhouses open doors to the public

On March 30, multiple greenhouses in the Niagara Region will open their doors to the community. They will each be showcasing their locally grown cut flowers, potted plants and vegetables. Niagara Life Centre will receive the donation in the form of entrance fees from the greenhouse open house tour. Bracelets will be sold at the…

Video: 7,000 sq.m. of hydroponic lettuce

Lettuce is a short growing season plant, that is why it is more and more popular as a spring vegetable cultivated under the cover. It is mainly grown on substrates such as mineral wool and hydroponic systems. In heated greenhouses, lettuce can be produced all year round. Seedling production lasts from 3…

Singapore Airlines to source produce from American vertical farm

Expanding on Singapore Airlines' “From Farm to Plane” concept introduced in 2017, which promotes environmental sustainability and supports local farming communities, SIA will be embarking on a new collaboration with AeroFarms, one of the world’s largest indoor vertical farms of its kind based in Newark,…

UK: Growers team up to increase research capacity and industry engagement

NIAB EMR has been awarded £50,000 in funding from the UK Research and Innovation’s Strength in Places Fund to develop a full business case for the Growing Kent & Medway innovation cluster. NIAB EMR will be working with a consortium of partners from the APS Group, Berry Gardens Growers, Thanet Earth Ltd, World…

Aphria shows automation in new video

Automated seeding, cloning, multi-layer propagation, processing in a highly automated machine line. In a new video, Aphria shows what they believe to be the future of this industry. "Innovation: the sky's the limit."  In the video, the team explains the importance of their horticultural background and their horticultural founders, who…

"There are currently no major quality issues in the trade"

Spring is starting slowly. Products such as cucumbers and aubergines are, increasingly, showing up on the market. Both of these products' are of excellent quality. According…

Turkmenistan opens 6-hectare tomato greenhouse for export

Built by Nahal and Kerwen Gurluşyk Economic Associations in the city of Mary, a modern 6-hectare greenhouse has a projected annual production capacity of 1,200 tons. Tooled with the latest specialized equipment, the large area is home to high-yielding varieties of tomato. The greenhouse takes advantage of up-to-date technologies used to…

Organic herbs packed in jar made of vegetable fibres

"With the end of 2018, we have been able to achieve several goals we had set for ourselves. 2019 is an important year for the company because we celebrate 20 years of production in the organic sector!". This is what Carlo Simonato, owner of the Italian Simonato brothers' company, announces. Growing demand  The company of the Simonato…

Canadian Horticultural Council premieres new documentary to honour international farm workers

On Wednesday night, the Canadian Horticultural Council showcased a new documentary to honour international farm workers at a premier held in Ottawa. The screening of ‘Heartbeat – A Celebration of International Farm Workers’, was attended by foreign dignitaries, government officials and leaders, farmers…

Turkmenistan opens 6-hectare tomato greenhouse for export

Built by Nahal and Kerwen Gurluşyk Economic Associations in the city of Mary, a modern 6-hectare greenhouse has a projected annual production capacity of 1,200 tons. Tooled with the latest specialized equipment, the large area is home to high-yielding varieties of tomato. The greenhouse takes advantage of up-to-date technologies used to…

The influence of too many thermal shocks on strawberries

Recently, the days have been warmer than the average in spring, with temperatures up to 24°C in southern Italy. However, a new disturbance of North Atlantic origin brought the weather back again to its standard winter conditions. In mid-March 2019, the southern regions - and the northern ones first suffered a sharp…

New agricultural park will boost Hong Kong’s vegetable production

Last Wednesday, officials announced that Hong Kong will produce 4,000 more tons of vegetables a year once an 80-hectare agricultural park is completed. This will be a rise from the current annual harvest of 14,900 tons. However, the Agricultural, Fisheries and Conservation Department has rejected calls…

Modernizing tomato production in Nigeria

Nigeria is the largest producer of tomatoes in sub-Saharan Africa with an annual yield of 1.8 million metric tonnes, mostly produced in the north. Tomato farmers in Katsina State are angry at the lack of preservation technology for their produce. Their method of storing the perishable fruit out in the…

Video: 7,000 sq.m. of hydroponic lettuce

Lettuce is a short growing season plant, that is why it is more and more popular as a spring vegetable cultivated under the cover. It is mainly grown on substrates such as mineral wool and hydroponic systems. In heated greenhouses, lettuce can be produced all year round. Seedling production lasts from 3…

Environmentally friendly packaging for agricultural use

Th e use of protective, textile screens in agriculture entails advantages at least in terms of: · increase in the yield of cultivated land by multiplying cycles per season and protecting from atmospheric agents · reduction of pesticide use, with equal protection against the most aggressive insects for each individual crop · improvement…

“Marks & Spencer faces uphill food challenge”

According to GlobalData, Marks & Spencer faces an uphill battle to win over weekly food shoppers. M&S is planning to expand the number of stores offering the full…

Driscoll's Inc. files complaint against California Berry Cultivars

Driscoll’s, Inc., has filed a complaint in federal court against California Berry Cultivars (CBC), a strawberry breeding company, as well as the company’s co-founder, Douglas…

Two importers fined $9,000 for illegally importing 1,000kg of fresh vegetables

Two importers were fined a total of $9,000 (€5,800) in court on Wednesday for illegally importing about 1,000kg of fresh vegetables. These were capsicums and leeks, among others, which did not conform to the import permit requirements. According to the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA), Seng Lee Impex, a…

"Bayer's blind spot on Monsanto's roundup may cost billions"

A second U.S. jury has linked Roundup weedkiller to cancer. The uphill battle Bayer Chief Executive Officer Werner Baumann is fighting just got steeper. The company has lost more than $30 billion in market value since the first defeat last August, raising fresh questions about a deal he spearheaded.…

First Belgium radishes of 2019 sold

Late last week, the first radishes of the season were sold at REO Auctioneers in Roeselare, Belgium. Last year, growers sent 454,000 bushels of radishes to this auction house. REO producers, Kristof Rabaey and Michelle Desnouck are the first suppliers of 2019. They are based in the Belgian town of…

Uber Freight launches in Europe

Since launching in the US two years ago, Uber Freight has worked to revitalize the trucking industry and bring new opportunities to the entire logistics ecosystem. The Uber Freight app connects trucking companies of any size with loads to haul, giving drivers upfront pricing, fast payment and the ability to book a load with the…

Svensson Americas doubles office in size

Svensson’s Americas subsidiary is undertaking a major expansion at its Charlotte, North Carolina location. The expansion, which is expected to be complete by the end of the summer 2019 will add an additional 30,000 square feet of warehouse space to Svensson’s existing 28,000 square feet of warehouse and…

PanAmerican Seed buys Kitchen Minis program

PanAmerican Seed has purchased the Kitchen Minis program from Dalina Genetics, a Danish breeder of ornamental and edible plants. The purchase includes breeding lines, as well as commercial products of compact tomatoes and cucumbers. This announcement comes only a few years after PanAmerican Seed’s acquisition of Ex-Plant…

UK: Growers team up to increase research capacity and industry engagement

NIAB EMR has been awarded £50,000 in funding from the UK Research and Innovation’s Strength in Places Fund to develop a full business case for the Growing Kent & Medway innovation cluster. NIAB EMR will be working with a consortium of partners from the APS Group, Berry Gardens Growers, Thanet Earth Ltd, World…

Red Otter Farms: One of the first and biggest aquaponics growers of India

"We are a soilless farming company, growing our produce in water. The otter is a fun-loving aquatic mammal and symbolizes our efforts. The Red Otter is a rare species of the otter family, much like us. We were one of the first movers in the space in India and are pioneering commercial aquaponics farm…

CAN (ON): Niagara greenhouses open doors to the public

On March 30, multiple greenhouses in the Niagara Region will open their doors to the community. They will each be showcasing their locally grown cut flowers, potted plants and vegetables. Niagara Life Centre will receive the donation in the form of entrance fees from the greenhouse open house tour. Bracelets will be sold at the…

Canadian Horticultural Council premieres new documentary to honour international farm workers

On Wednesday night, the Canadian Horticultural Council showcased a new documentary to honour international farm workers at a premier held in Ottawa. The screening of ‘Heartbeat – A Celebration of International Farm Workers’, was attended by foreign dignitaries, government officials and leaders, farmers…

The New Delhi Virus in Italy

Various research bodies in Italy, the Universities of Palermo and Catania, IPSP-CNR Portici, CREA Rome and OMP Palermo conducted a study on the incidence and genetic diversity of the New Delhi virus. The New Delhi virus ( Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus , ToLCNDV) is a bipartite begomovirus (family Geminiviridae ) identified for the…

"Supermarkets' buying power is just getting stronger"

Supermarkets' buying power is just getting stronger. This does not make the role of the fruit and vegetable trading companies any easier. Rob Morren, ABN Amro's Food sector banker, sees increasing attention being paid to mapping the social cost of production. This is called True Cost Pricing. Here…

High demand for Norwegian cucumbers

A modest amount of Norwegian cucumbers were available throughout the winter. Now, they are being fully cultivated and, at the same time, demand is growing. The cultivation of organic cucumbers will also increase in the short term. A price increase is expected very soon. When it comes to onions, there is still a…

"There are currently no major quality issues in the trade"

Spring is starting slowly. Products such as cucumbers and aubergines are, increasingly, showing up on the market. Both of these products' are of excellent quality. According…

AU: National approach required to address labour issues in agriculture

AUSVEG Chairman Bill Bulmer says a national approach to addressing labour concerns in agriculture is one of the key issues he would like to see following this year's federal election. "The labour issue is the major focus of everyone within the industry," he said. "When you say labour, it has so many tentacles. It brings…

“The lettuce market has been tensing up for a month”

" This winter was good for the lettuce sector, with good prices until mid-February,” reports Ghislain Rachet of the company BRM Production Agricole. “Because of the high temperatures, the market has been tensing up little by little for a month. We had 25 degree days, so some parcels arrived at the same time, creating…

Qatar's hydroponic farms to cover 100 hectares by 2021

Qatar’s local hydroponic farms aim to further expand their operations in the next two years to reach 100 hectares in order to meet the growing demand for organic vegetables. "We are…

Overview of the Brazilian strawberry industry

Global Plant Genetics just returned from a visit to the vast country of Brazil. On a national level, it produces strawberries over 4500 hectares, which are principally split between two main growing locations. The short-day strawberry types are planted in the southern part of Minas Gerais and up to the…

"The best book about Dutch greenhouse horticulture"

The KWIN (Quantitative Information) is famous. Already in 1983 the first edition of this bulky book about the greenhouse horticulture was published. The KWIN contains quantities and prices of, among other things, sustainable means of production, labor, energy, production and sales of Dutch horticulture,…

"Commercial invoice and packing list by themselves not enough for trade with Mexico"

Those who do business with foreign countries will have to deal with the logistics and human side of things. Paul Breukel of Allport Horti Logistics already gave tips and…

UK: "Make sure you are ESOS compliant"

Any large organisation in the UK with 250+ employees or a turnover greater than £39m is required to comply with the Energy Savings Opportunities Scheme (ESOS). For anyone who qualifies, the time is now to make arrangements to meet the requirements of this statutory scheme. However, at NFU Energy they…

"Our customers will have actionable data on their smartphones within minutes"

AgroCares CEO Henri Hekman and CCO Rob Beens signed a partnership with Concentric, one of the biggest developers of biological and plant nutrients inputs in Canada, during the Agri Food-Tech Innovation Summit in San Francisco (19-20 March 2019). As a result of this partnership, Concentric Ag Corporation will distribute…

“There must be public support for gene-editing revolution”

Gene editing will become the next big thing in plant science, crop development and agriculture only if the public accepts the technology. It has the potential to change agriculture, but only if consumers believe it’s beneficial. Experts believe gene editing of crops has more potential than genetic modification or conventional…

"End the legal chaos at the European Patent Office"

The coalition No Patents on Seeds! published a new report on plant patents granted by the European Patent Office (EPO) in 2018 and at the beginning of 2019. Despite a…

An automatic machine to salt sun-dried tomatoes

One of the most important phases in the drying of tomatoes is salting. It has always been done by hand, in a coarse way and without precise criteria, with the final quality not always living up to expectations. Click below and watch the video! From now on, salting can be carried out in a uniform and precise manner thanks to an automatic system dosing…

Mexico: Zacatecas seeks designation of origin for its Guajillo chili

The state government announced that it will seek the denomination of origin of the Guajillo chili to give added value to the chili from Zacatecas. Alejandro Tello Cristerna, the state…

More antioxidants from chopped & uncooked spinach

As we know, spinach is one of the best sources for the antioxidant lutein, which may promote eye health and reduce the risk of macular degeneration. A new study in the March…

Organic herbs packed in jar made of vegetable fibres

"With the end of 2018, we have been able to achieve several goals we had set for ourselves. 2019 is an important year for the company because we celebrate 20 years of production in the organic sector!". This is what Carlo Simonato, owner of the Italian Simonato brothers' company, announces. Growing demand  The company of the Simonato…

"A vine tomato is so much more than just red and round"

Consumers decide whether a product is successful or not. The same counts for the flavour of vine tomatoes. Every two weeks, an independent taste panel reviews the taste and texture of Prominent products. With this accurate knowledge and the experience of their growers, they can produce vine tomatoes for…

"Producing for Turkish market and exporting to surrounding countries"

Turkey is an important horticultural country and a gateway to surrounding countries. Therefore when the Turkish production site of Van der Knaap was in the way of a new to be constructed ring road, they decided to use the opportunity to move and upgrade the facilities. Since last October they are in full…

"One third of our total turnover is already generated through organic vegetables"

Reichenau-Gemüse eG is one of the leading producer organizations in Germany when it comes to organic products. Germany's southernmost growing region supplied consumers in the south with 4.2 million kilograms of high-quality organic vegetables in 2018. "One third of Reichenau-Gemüse eG's total sales is…

New cold store and cooking facility for Swedish vegetables

The new branch of cooperation Sydgrönt in an old Findus factory in Bjuv, Sweden, will enable growers to sell more vegetables. The factory has a surface area of 3,200 m2 and…

"Washing salad might in fact be riskier than not washing it"

Most people give a bagged salad a quick rinse with tap water before they eat it, just to get rid of pesticides or bugs. But according to new research, washing a salad might be making you more likely to get ill, not less. The Istituto Superiore di Sanità , the research arm of the Italian National Health Service, had…

US (NY): MSK food program brings fresh food to underserved people

Inside a renovated 100-year-old library within the South Bronx’s National Health, Wellness, and Learning Center at Community School 55, a healthy food program led by a local…

Mixed Contact Group on strawberries

Representatives from Basilicata also attended the mixed Contact Group on strawberries that met on 15th March 2019 in the OP Sole meeting room.  The meeting of the Italian-French-Spanish group has the objective of discussing the situation of strawberry cultivation in the respective countries analyzing the strategic issues of the past…

Glasshouse strawberries - a unique selling point for Aldi UK

Last year Aldi made a big deal of their first strawberries to go on sale  - but now they have broken their own record. Or, to put it another way, Springfield Nursery have broken…

Singapore Airlines to source produce from American vertical farm

Expanding on Singapore Airlines' “From Farm to Plane” concept introduced in 2017, which promotes environmental sustainability and supports local farming communities, SIA will be embarking on a new collaboration with AeroFarms, one of the world’s largest indoor vertical farms of its kind based in Newark,…

Aphria shows automation in new video

Automated seeding, cloning, multi-layer propagation, processing in a highly automated machine line. In a new video, Aphria shows what they believe to be the future of this industry. "Innovation: the sky's the limit."  In the video, the team explains the importance of their horticultural background and their horticultural founders, who…

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