Seed treatment battles CGMMV

For growers dealing with CGMMV this virus often is a recurring problem. The Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus is known for returning season after season. In Korea, growers chose to battle the virus with a seed treatment. “We’ve stopped the spreading of the virus with the Johnni-der V2 SEI”, they say. The 9,000 cucumber plants…

"Geothermal energy will become commonplace sooner than we think"

Although geothermal energy, biomass power plants and other alternative energy sources have received a lot of attention since the recently concluded Climate Agreement , it has been the focus of attention within the horticultural sector for much longer. "Actually, for years growers have kept innovating for…

"GMO and editing is the way of the future"

In a previous article, we went into the research Esther van der Knaap is doing on the ancestors of our current tomato . Over time, people have selected for traits that are favorable to them, but not necessarily to the plant. Adaptation and disease resistance has been sacrificed for other desirable…

"Solar PV without the coffin"

Conventionally to protect the working parts of a solar panel it was encased in an aluminum coffin with a glass top… the coffin was responsible for a lot of the embedded energy that goes into making a solar PV panel as well as the ultimate capital cost. The coffin also creates all the bulk on rooftops which greatly adds to…

Climbing stairs for charity... in full firefighter gear

Although the activities of Genesis Horticultural Solutions keep Australian consultant Tony Bundock pretty busy, he still considers it important to put something back into the local community. “I am now approaching my 30th year as a Country Fire Authority volunteer firefighter, which sees me respond to…

Rijk Zwaan brings new melons and snack vegetables to Asian market

‘Asian Jewels’ is a new range of tasty melons that Rijk Zwaan has specially selected for the Asian market. The vegetable breeding company is launching the new high-quality melon types at Asia Fruit Logistica. Asian Jewels is not the only innovation Rijk Zwaan will be presenting at the event; a new snack…

CA (BC): Did the aliens arrive? No, but LED lights did

Here we go again. By investing in modern lights, lowering the energy needs of the horticultural industry, growers every now and then do not get applauded, but are being compared to E.T., Yoda, Groot, Avatar & Spock. Indeed: the aliens might have arrived again. Last night, the lights came from local…

“Aubergines and loose tomatoes currently outliers on Dutch greenhouse vegetable market”

Despite the supply of Dutch greenhouse vegetables not being too large, demand has fallen behind a bit in recent weeks, according to Jim Westhoff of Valstar. “As a result, all prices except those of aubergines aren’t skyrocketing. That would’ve been different if demand had been good. This is in contrast…

Tomato export volumes from Azerbaijan disclosed

According to the Azerbaijan government, the nation exported 129,293 tons of tomatoes worth $138.06 million. Overall exports in quantitative terms dropped by 5 percent compared…

Crop Trust remembers Tim Fischer, former Executive Board Chair

It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the death of the former Executive Board Chair of the Crop Trust and long-time agrobiodiversity advocate, Tim Fischer AC. Tim passed away on Wednesday night surrounded by family. He was battling an acute form of leukaemia. Tim joined the Crop Trust in…

Kenya: Attracting youth to invest in greenhouse farming

Imagine that with as little as $150 (Ksh 15,000) per month, you could invest in a business that would yield a return of $3,800 (Ksh 380,000) within the first six months. That’s exactly how Peter Wangai Muriithi, Founder and CEO of Golden Escape Group Limited, hopes to lure young people into agri-business…

US: New York's rooftop farms provide fresh local produce - and help stop a sewage problem

High above the streets of New York, more than 36 tonnes of organic vegetables are grown every year. And the farms that produce them aren’t just feeding residents – they’re helping to stop sewage polluting the city’s rivers too. Covering a total of 2.3 hectares (5.6 acres), the farms sit on top of three…

Greenhouses set up in desert to develop eco-agriculture in NW China's Gansu

An aerial photo taken on Aug. 18, 2019 shows greenhouses put in use at an eco-industrial park in Jiuquan City, northwest China's Gansu Province. Bordering the Badain Jaran Desert, the city used to find it difficult to develop the economy. In recent years, a program has been kicked off in the local region…

Grimmway Farms expands Southeast operations

Grimmway Farms has announced that it has acquired the southern Georgia and north Florida processing facilities and assets of Lake Park, Georgia-based Generation Farms. The acquisition marks the expansion of the company’s farming and processing operations in the Southeast for the second year in a row.…

"A year to remember" for California exotic vegetable growers

Growers of exotic vegetables such as bitter melon in California have been enjoying an excellent season in terms of production and market conditions. The season spans around the summer months from around June to October for the majority of commodities, and this year the weather conditions have been very…

Presentation of raspberry tomato varieties from plastic tunnels at Polish farm

On August 11, Polish tomato producers had a chance to learn about raspberry tomato varieties cultivated in tunnels during a meeting organized by the Hazera company on the farm of Elżbieta and Roman Olszowa in Borek. The event was co-organized by Eurobyt and Intermag. Raspberry No. 1 Małgorzata Zadura,…

Seed treatment battles CGMMV

For growers dealing with CGMMV this virus often is a recurring problem. The Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus is known for returning season after season. In Korea, growers chose to battle the virus with a seed treatment. “We’ve stopped the spreading of the virus with the Johnni-der V2 SEI”, they say. The 9,000 cucumber plants…

A solution to finding ‘fake slots’ of CCT5 Containers

The Dutch company, Van Vliet Containers, has introduced a functional, affordable solution for scanning and counting CCT5 containers. At the beginning of 2019, Container Centrals introduced a new CCT5 RFID label. This was done for more than 3 million containers, including CC Pool. Before the introduction…

CA (BC): Did the aliens arrive? No, but LED lights did

Here we go again. By investing in modern lights, lowering the energy needs of the horticultural industry, growers every now and then do not get applauded, but are being compared to E.T., Yoda, Groot, Avatar & Spock. Indeed: the aliens might have arrived again. Last night, the lights came from local…

Four new strategic centers for field vegetable crops to open in the UK

Field vegetable producers are set to benefit from four new centers that will demonstrate the latest horticultural research in practice. Launched this year, AHDB Horticulture’s Strategic Centers for Field Vegetables will showcase the latest ideas, science and technology to improve integrated pest…

Howard Nager joins Progressive Produce

Progressive Produce has announced the hiring of Howard Nager as Vice President of Business Development and Marketing. “We are excited to have someone of Howard Nager’s caliber…

Crop Trust remembers Tim Fischer, former Executive Board Chair

It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the death of the former Executive Board Chair of the Crop Trust and long-time agrobiodiversity advocate, Tim Fischer AC. Tim passed away on Wednesday night surrounded by family. He was battling an acute form of leukaemia. Tim joined the Crop Trust in…

Indigenous Australian vegetable supplier grows with Coles partnership

South Australian Indigenous vegetable grower Nunga Produce has grown its business by double, thanks to its long-term partnership with Coles supermarkets. Supplying Coles has given Nunga Produce the confidence to expand its operations of growing crops and purchasing vegetables and herbs, by providing the…

Sfera Agricola: the revival of Italian tomatoes

The largest hydroponic farm in Southern Europe can be found in Tuscany. Launched in 2015 by Luigi Galimberti, Sfera Agricoa grows plants above the ground and pesticide-free,…

Meet Singapore's Veggie Farming Family

Fireflies Health Farm is a family business pur sang. “My dad grows the vegetables, my mum cooks the vegetables, my brothers sell the vegetables, and I just eat the vegetables” according to daughter Xiao Xi. Dad Chai started the Singaporean farm in 1985 and – being averse to pesticides – decided to…

States sue Trump EPA to stop its OK of toxic pesticide

Seven states, led by Massachusetts, California, and New York, are suing the Trump Environmental Protection Agency to stop its regulatory OK of letting a toxic pesticide,…

“Although very dependent on Russia, we managed to keep turnover up”

Five years ago, Russia implemented a ban on all fruit and vegetables, among other things, from the EU, the US, Australia, Canada and Norway. The import ban came in effect on Thursday 7 August 2014 for the period of one year, but has now been extended four times. We’re asking Belgian and Dutch exporters…

“Aubergines and loose tomatoes currently outliers on Dutch greenhouse vegetable market”

Despite the supply of Dutch greenhouse vegetables not being too large, demand has fallen behind a bit in recent weeks, according to Jim Westhoff of Valstar. “As a result, all prices except those of aubergines aren’t skyrocketing. That would’ve been different if demand had been good. This is in contrast…

Population size represented as country size

The country's size on the map is representing the population size.

Tomato export volumes from Azerbaijan disclosed

According to the Azerbaijan government, the nation exported 129,293 tons of tomatoes worth $138.06 million. Overall exports in quantitative terms dropped by 5 percent compared…

Strong fresh produce sales for Q2 2019

The United Fresh Produce Association came out with a report indicating strong numbers for fresh produce sales for the second quarter of 2019. The FreshFacts on Retail report…

Stabilization of Spanish imports of Moroccan fruit and vegetable products

In 2019, Spanish imports of fruit and vegetable products from Morocco have stabilized following 5 years of strong growth. In the first half of the year, 285,710 tons of Moroccan fruits and vegetables were imported, which entails an increase of 1.3% compared to 2018. The value of those shipments stood at…

US (NE): O'Neill struggles with labor shortage, questions about immigration policy a year after raid

Twice a day, a white school bus lumbers through this town carrying about 25 workers to and from a massive, glass greenhouse where they pick tomatoes. The temporary workers arrived a year ago, shortly after federal immigration officials raided the greenhouse and other local businesses in O’Neill. About…

"Geothermal energy will become commonplace sooner than we think"

Although geothermal energy, biomass power plants and other alternative energy sources have received a lot of attention since the recently concluded Climate Agreement , it has been the focus of attention within the horticultural sector for much longer. "Actually, for years growers have kept innovating for…

"Solar PV without the coffin"

Conventionally to protect the working parts of a solar panel it was encased in an aluminum coffin with a glass top… the coffin was responsible for a lot of the embedded energy that goes into making a solar PV panel as well as the ultimate capital cost. The coffin also creates all the bulk on rooftops which greatly adds to…

Yara and Nel collaborate to produce carbon free hydrogen for fertilizer production

In an agreement signed today, Yara and Nel confirm their shared ambition of developing clean hydrogen which would allow Yara to realize low carbon footprint fertilizer production. The project is based on Nel’s development of new water electrolyzer technology that will be tested at Yara’s existing plant…

"GMO and editing is the way of the future"

In a previous article, we went into the research Esther van der Knaap is doing on the ancestors of our current tomato . Over time, people have selected for traits that are favorable to them, but not necessarily to the plant. Adaptation and disease resistance has been sacrificed for other desirable…

New packaging machines to be presented at PPMA 2019

At PPMA 2019 the Packaging Automation team will be on hand to showcase the latest developments designed to deliver increased productivity, process efficiency and performance. PA will present the high speed Revolution, a fast and environmentally friendly tray sealing machine featuring patented motion…

Rijk Zwaan brings new melons and snack vegetables to Asian market

‘Asian Jewels’ is a new range of tasty melons that Rijk Zwaan has specially selected for the Asian market. The vegetable breeding company is launching the new high-quality melon types at Asia Fruit Logistica. Asian Jewels is not the only innovation Rijk Zwaan will be presenting at the event; a new snack…

Aldi Ireland bans plastic trays for fruit and vegetables range

Aldi Ireland has banned black plastic trays used as packaging for its fruit and vegetables range, saving more than 450 tons of non-recyclable waste annually in its 139 outlets. It announced on Monday it has further committed to cutting plastic packaging across its entire product range by 25 percent over…

These fruits no longer need plastic

Norwegian grower Austein Gård is now offering its strawberries in a new cardboard packaging, made of UT Tray Black. According to the company, it completely replaces the previously used plastic containers, at the same time being a POS eye-catcher. The packaging is manufactured by Norstamp Label &…

Animations promote New Zealand tomatoes

TomatoesNZ released two fun and informative animations about New Zealand fresh tomatoes. The animations share facts about how these fresh tomatoes are grown. They also provide key information about the industry including requirements for labelling of imported tomatoes which are treated with ionising…

Soil biotechnology company seeks strategic partner

Carbon Gold is seeking investment from a strategic partner to accelerate growth in new and existing markets. Carbon Gold, founded by Craig Sams, founder of Green & Blacks…

US: Some producers question value of organic certification

Instead of spraying pesticides, Dubuque’s Stone Hollow Gardens & Shroomery uses predato ry insects. Instead of chemical fertilizers, it amends the soil with fungi, through…

"It is difficult to lower the temperature in the vegetable core to the required four degrees."

Lettuce, carrots, radish: In a heat wave like we had last week, vegetable farmers have to come up with something, so that the goods still arrive fresh on the shelf. Lettuces, carrots, radish and cauliflower are currently piled up in green boxes in the cold store of the Gartenbauzentrale Main-Donau. The…

Growing Underground

Best job title EVER! Food Futureologist Morgaine Gaye on the importance of technology and farms like ours for the future of food. With our cofounder Richard and Ben Thompson for BBC Breakfast 🌿🌱 @BBCBreaking @BBCBreaking @BBCWorld pic.twitter.com/W5TOpiIwdB — Growing Underground (@GrownUnder) August 23, 2019

US: 22 people sick in Florida - linked to basil

A parasitic illness outbreak has sickened at least 22 Florida restaurant customers in the last month. The cyclosporiasis outbreak has hit patients in 11 states, sending four…

Vegetable-rich Wahls diet lowers fatigue in MS-patients by raising good cholesterol

Higher levels of blood high-density lipoprotein (HDL) — or good cholesterol — may improve fatigue in multiple sclerosis patients, according to a new University at Buffalo-led study. The pilot study , which investigated the effects of fat levels in blood on fatigue caused by multiple sclerosis, found that…

Former U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Krysta Harden to kick off Washington Conference

Krysta Harden, Executive VP Global Environmental Strategy for Dairy Management Inc. and former U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, will kick off United Fresh’s Venture…

Climbing stairs for charity... in full firefighter gear

Although the activities of Genesis Horticultural Solutions keep Australian consultant Tony Bundock pretty busy, he still considers it important to put something back into the local community. “I am now approaching my 30th year as a Country Fire Authority volunteer firefighter, which sees me respond to…

First Bulgarian AgriTechHack

The very first Bulgarian AgriTechHack is coming this September 13, 2019 in Izgrev!!! The hack is a joint effort by Nik Academy, Embassy of the Netherlands in Bulgaria, FarmHackNL, and the local…

That time when Netto put cats in their supermarket

Having a rough start of the week? We'll help you with this one. Let's look back at 2006 when German retailer Netto decided to create a mini supermarket fully equipped for cats. Including the cucumber scare!

US (NY): Why farming is moving indoors

A car park opposite the infamous New York City housing estate where rapper Jay-Z grew up seems an unlikely place for an agricultural revolution. Ten shipping containers dominate a corner of the Brooklyn parking area, each full of climate control tech, growing herbs that are distributed to local stores on…

Ego conflict