May was a month of almost manic expansion, with new locations opened left, right and center. Besides all the good news, there were also the lingering tomato problems: the Tomato Suspension Agreement between the US and Mexico was definitively terminated, and ToBRFV continued to rear its ugly head.
Wendy's is advertising their greenhouse-grown tomatoes
Remember how last year Wendy's, the US third-largest fast-food burger chain, said it would only be sourcing vine-ripened greenhouse-grown tomatoes for use in its US and Canada…
McDonald's offers cucumbers cut into sticks in Happy Meal
McDonald's is continuing to diversify its vegetable menu for children. If the fast food chain already offers tomatoes or carrots instead of fries in their Happy Meal, it will now be…
15 acre Randhawa Farms greenhouse put into production
"Benefit of late planting is it all goes very fast"
"The benefit of late planting is that heat and light are abundant and it all goes very fast." Speaking is Business Director Vijay Randhawa with Perpetual Vegetable Co, the…
New HQ Havecon & Voorwinden Group opened in style
There aren't many women active in greenhouse building, but last Saturday it was three girls that took care of the most important job of the day. The daughters of Henk…
New owners for Sundrop Farms
The investment firm Morrison & Co has acquired the Australian greenhouse company Sundrop Farms. No figures have been released around the sale of the 20 hectare facility,…
Goal is 10 hectares in 2021
Rainbow Growers adds 1.1 hectare to Tunisian acreage
It is quite warm in northern Tunisia at this time of year, but a lot of hard work is currently being done to realize 1.1 hectares project. It concerns a foil greenhouse for…
from Equilibrium Capital
AppHarvest: $82 million investment to build Eastern Kentucky greenhouse
AppHarvest announced today it has closed an $82 million deal with Equilibrium Capital to build the company’s 60-acre greenhouse in Morehead, Kentucky. In addition, ValueAct…
250,000 sq. foot greenhouse breaks ground in Pennsylvania
BrightFarms, a supplier of locally grown salads for supermarkets, hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for its new 250,000 sq. foot greenhouse in Snyder County, Pa. on Monday, May…
Eco-kultura is building a mega greenhouse complex in Kazakhstan
A memorandum has been signed for the construction of a mega greenhouse complex in Kazakhstan, with an overall acreage of 500 ha - investments amount to 1.1…
Chicago show coincides with new greenhouse opening
For one greenhouse company, having a major trade show located in the city you’re about to open your next greenhouse in is proving perfect timing. Brooklyn, NY-based Gotham…
Fluence goes Europe
Fluence by Osram LED horticultural lighting has been launched in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), supported by an experienced team of technical advisers to help…
Mastronardi unveils new European venture
Mastronardi Produce® has announced it is investing in Europe through a partnership with Dutch vegetable exporter Soho Produce. “This partnership will allow us…
Piet Bom believes it might be
Will your next greenhouse be made of Fiberglass?
What if we told you we have an 82-year-old claiming Fiberglass greenhouses to be the next big thing in horticulture? You might doubt us – but it could be wise to think again.…
"A good mix of retailers"
Photo report of West Coast Produce Expo
This past Saturday, the West Coast Produce Expo was held at the JW Marriott Resort in Palm Desert, California. It was a two-day event that started off with a golf tournament,…
"targetting TOVs, vine ripe, roma, and specialty tomatoes"
Industry responds to termination of the Tomato Suspension Agreement
The responses on the news of the termination of the Tomato Suspension Agreement are broad. Whereas several media talk about 'tomato wars', industry bodies speak out their wish for a…
Mexican tomato growers reject U.S. Commerce Department proposal
The associations representing the Mexican tomato growers continue to negotiate in good faith on a new agreement to suspend the antidumping investigation on fresh tomatoes from Mexico.…
FPAA urges Commerce to work with Mexican tomato growers
The Fresh Produce Association of the Americas (FPAA) has issued the following statement: "The Fresh Produce Association of the Americas (FPAA) urges the Department of Commerce to…
Trump government slaps duties of 17.5% on Mexican tomatoes
Last week, the US slapped fresh import tariffs on Mexico’s $2 billion tomato industry after the two countries failed to reach a deal on trade. Meanwhile,…
Mexico: Small and medium-sized tomato exporters won’t be able to export
Mexico’s Economy Department states US consumers can pay 38% to 70% more for berries following the US Commerce Department declared it might re-impose…
How horticulture responds to ToBRFV threat
All over the world, the horticultural industry is doing everything they can to keep ToBRFV out. A US-Mexican collaboration is to identify extra tests and educate Mexican…
First report of Tomato brown rugose fruit virus on tomato in Turkey
The ToBRF virus has been found in Turkey. The British Society for Plant Pathology confirms finding of the virus in Antalya greenhouses in their magazine New Disease Reports.…
The passing of an industry pioneer, Norman Hinsley 1936-2019
It is with considerable respect and admiration that we reflect on the recent passing of Yorkshire grower Norman Hinsley. Norman has a special place in the memories of the…