All underwater fiber optic cables, providing Internet throughout the world

Underwater fiber optic cables galore.

"AGRI MEPs renew their commitment to fostering a competitive and resilient European fruit and vegetable sector"

On the 1st and 2nd of April, the Members of the European Parliament’s Agriculture and Rural Development Committee proceeded to vote on the CAP reform-related reports on…

The Netherlands and Spain see tomato sales fall as Morocco grows

The Netherlands and Spain have reduced their tomato sales over the last ten years (2009-2018), both in the European Union (EU) and other countries, while those from Morocco…

Johan Vrijland, JNV Produce:

"The UK is never the first to switch to Dutch greenhouses vegetables"

"People in the UK make decisions quickly but when it comes to prices, they do not make a move quickly. Winter contracts are often fixed up to week 17. This includes Easter," says Johan Vrijland of the Dutch company, JNV Produce. This marketing company focuses solely on exports to the United Kingdom. "The…

Armenia to set up agricultural exchange

Armenia’s government has initiated the process of creating an agricultural exchange, Agriculture Minister Gegham Gevorgyan, has stated. ‘Imagine a large facility with refrigerators, scales and other infrastructures that will help establish a connection between sellers and buyers," he said. According to…

Taste, response to consumers and sustainable development

White Book for tomato sector in France

The tomato sector in France, grouped in the Association of Producer Organizations called "Tomatoes and cucumbers of France", has prepared a White Book that defines three lines…

Vietnam and the Netherlands committed to bring Vietnamese horticulture to a higher level

On Wednesday 10 April during the trade mission led by Prime Minister Rutte, Minister van Nieuwenhuizen and Vice-Minister Sonnema to Vietnam, Mr. Nguyen Nhu Cuong – Acting General Director of Crop Production Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and Mr. Henk van Eijk - Chairman…

Two-thirds of US agricultural imports from Mexico consisted of vegetables, fruit or beer

2018 US agricultural imports from Mexico

Uwe Timm, AlzChem Trostberg GmbH:

"We contribute to high-quality cultivation and marketing"

In 1908, the hydropower of the Alz, which springs from the Chiemsee, was the primary reason for choosing the location of the energy dependent calcium carbide and calcium cyanamide plant in Trostberg (Bavaria). "This year we are celebrating our 111th anniversary," says Uwe Timm, Marketing Manager of…

U.S. growers are harvesting an increasing amount of organic tomatoes

Fresh tomatoes have remained a staple in American kitchens even as consumer tastes and preferences evolve. For example, producers have responded to consumer demand for more organic produce by cultivating more organic tomatoes. From 2008 to 2011, consumer price sensitivity coupled with the higher price of…

Iran: Value of greenhouse products exports expected to increase to $1 billion

Iran's greenhouse plan, in regard to the production of greenhouse products in recent years, has grown quite well, according to the government of Iran. The value of greenhouse products exports will reach more than $1 billion in 2019, they say. According to the Ministry of Jihad-Agriculture Information…

Ted Zwinkels, Zwingrow:

“Spreading out the start of orange bell peppers' production can only be beneficial”

Dutch-grown orange bell peppers have been on the market since mid-March again. "The supply started nice and gradually," says grower, Ted Zwinkels of the farm, Zwingrow, in the…

US: Domestic tomato production building as industry eyes May 7th

As North America undergoes the crossover from winter tomato production to spring, supplies look good and are expected to build. “When it comes to field-grown tomatoes, South Florida still has product. They’re going to start their spring crop within the next 10 days as they finish up their down south…

Australian horticulture wants commitment to delivering Agriculture Visa

Australia’s peak industry body for vegetable and potato growers, AUSVEG, has called on both the major parties to commit to an Agriculture Visa and help the industry address…

USDA proposes changes in the handling requirements for Florida tomatoes

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is proposing changes to the handling requirements under the federal marketing order for tomatoes grown in Florida. The Florida Tomato Committee recommended a proposal to eliminate the standard weight certification requirement from the marketing order regulations.…

Ukraine does not expect tomato prices to drop soon

At the moment, prices for tomatoes in Ukraine are on average 40% higher than last year. Furthermore, there are no prerequisites for a significant reduction in the cost of…

UK seasonal agricultural workers scheme opens

A seasonal agricultural workers scheme pilot aimed at bringing migrant workers to the UK for seasonal work was opened last month. The UK-wide scheme was confirmed last…

Dr. John Isemede:

“Nigerian produce still not accepted globally”

Despite concerted efforts by the government towards weening the nation’s economy from the oil-sector and turning to agriculture, local agro produce has continued to suffer rejections from the international market. According to Dr. John Isemede, an expert in export and international markets, it is…

Benny Cuypers, BelOrta

"Product from the south makes it difficult for Belgian cucumbers and courgettes"

"The situation is quite difficult for cucumbers, courgettes and aubergines at the moment. There are already large volumes of Belgian cucumbers and aubergines on the market, but there is also still product from the south present. This is causing pressure on the price at the moment," says Benny Cuypers of…

List of countries and fresh fruit products allowed to export to Chinese market

The most recent list of countries with permission to export fresh fruit to the Chinese market and the fresh fruit products they are allowed to export was published on April…

Harold Huot, manager of Surberry:

Spain: "The berry market needs to be regulated"

Varietal innovation is one of the secrets behind the quality supplied by Surberry, a company founded in 2014. The most important example of this is the Adelita raspberry, with a large size, an attractive appearance and a long shelf life. These characteristics make the raspberry appealing for every type…

China: Lanzhou Customs inspected 8.9 tons of imported seeds in the first quarter of 2019

Lanzhou Customs announced on April 10th that they inspected 8.9 tons of imported seeds in the first quarter of 2019. The seed varieties included chili pepper, tomato, and…

“Complicated market for Moroccan tomatoes”

The Moroccan tomato season is drawing to an end. According to Pierre Bolte of Saint Charles Primeurs, the market is rather difficult. “We are selling tomatoes between 0.50 and…

Limits increase on USDA farm loans

The 2018 Farm Bill increased the amount that producers can borrow as direct and guaranteed loans available through USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) and made changes to other…

Due to high costs, cheap competition

Canada: Growers in British Columbia rip out raspberries

British Columbia raspberry growers say high costs of labour, land and supplies have made it difficult for local farmers to compete with cheaper imports of the berry from…

AU: Farmers call for urgent water security to protect next year's summer vegetable season

Eastern Victorian farmers are calling for urgent water security, to protect them in the upcoming season. Food and Fibre Gippsland board member, and Chief Executive of Bulmer Farms in Lindenow, Andrew Bulmer says the region's water supply, the Mitchell River, is heritage listed, and does not contain a dam…

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: SR1.6 million allocated for farmers to go organic

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has stated that in the past eight months, it allocated SR1,617,831 ($431,000) to 165 farmers as part of its plan…

EU looks at rules for protecting workers behind the barcodes

The European ministers meeting in Luxembourg are to formally approve new European rules that ban abusive trading practices by supermarkets and large buyers in the global food…

Fruit crops are the most affected

2,200 hectares of crops damaged in Spanish region of Extremadura

The end of March and the beginning of April have been marked by various storms, which have so far damaged 2,192.99 hectares of crops in Extremadura. That is the provisional…

French cucumber: not a promising market

Cucumbers from the south of France will arrive in about two weeks. “At the moment, we do not have a lot of products to offer yet. This being said, the market is very competitive, and the French cucumber prices are not very profitable for the production,” explains Bruno Sangerma of Saveurs des Clos. The…

US: National Green Industry Survey begins data collection

The Green Industry Research Consortium, with funding support from the Horticultural Research Institute (HRI), is launching the National Green Industry Survey this month. This…

Vietnam: Da Lat’s farms turn modern in Industry 4.0

Da Lat city in Lam Dong province has become well-known for its modern agricultural techniques. Many of Vietnam’s wealthy farmers are situated in the Central Highlands city, thanks to their investment and application of scientific and technological advances in production. According to Dr. Pham S, Vice…

Statbel presents agriculture and horticulture figures of 2018

Growth in Belgian greenhouse acreage mainly due to soft fruit cultivation

The Belgian statistics office, Statbel, published the definitive figures concerning the agricultural and horticultural sector in Belgium for 2018. The main takeaway from the report was that the total figure for the acreage of greenhouse cultivation has increased by 6.2 percent in comparison to 2017,…

Geographical distribution of the languages of Switzerland

And no jokes about yodelling!

"The world can't get enough of Turkish tomatoes"

According to the Greenhouse Investors and Producers Association (SERA-BIR), Turkish tomatoes are very popular in the world. Muslum Yanmaz, head of the association said: "We export mainly to Russia and also to Romania, Bulgaria, Germany and Switzerland. The world can't get enough of Turkish tomatoes."…

"China's greenhouse technologies turn Egypt's desert green"

China's greenhouse technologies are currently boosting the development of Egypt's modern agriculture through the construction of hundreds of greenhouses. The technologies are used in a large joint project northeast of the Egyptian capital Cairo, said the Chinese project manager in an interview with…

Overview global tomato market

These are exciting times on the tomato market. Many countries are currently in the transition period between the import and export seasons. In the meantime, the spread of the ToBRFV virus is being monitored worldwide. Various cases have already been reported in Europe and it is still unclear whether eradication of the virus is…

Gert-Jan Slobbe, Fortuna Frutos:

"Satisfactory Canary tomato season, dramatic cucumber season"

The Canary tomato season has reached its last phase at Fortuna Frutos. "We will certainly continue until week 20/21," expects Gert-Jan Slobbe. "We have sufficient supply of good quality loose and plum tomatoes available to supply the European retail and processing industry until mid May. The prices are…

Singapore’s ‘30 by 30’ food production target: Is it feasible?

The recent announcements in Parliament to raise Singapore’s food self-production level from the current 10 per cent to 30 per cent of total food needs by 2030, the “30 by 30” strategy, have raised some pertinent questions on capacity, investment and exportability. Singapore’s huge dependency — 90 per…

"Blueberries from Qingdao greenhouses enter Chinese market"

"The new production season for blueberries from greenhouse plantations in Qingdao officially began a few days ago. The product quality is stable and at the same level as in previous years. The price of greenhouse blueberries is currently much lower than around the same time last year. The main reason for…

Mexico - US border

"It's taking 6 - 7 hours for produce to cross the border"

The US Government's decision to divert border personnel away from checkpoints and into the field is causing increasing delays to produce crossings, shippers say. In the past week, there has even been mention of closing parts of the border but this scenario appears to be increasingly less likely. However,…

UK granted a Brexit extension until 31 October

European Union leaders have granted the UK a six-month extension to Brexit, after late-night talks in Brussels. The UK was due to leave the European union tomorrow, but now…

Mexico to meet with the US this week to discuss the tomato agreement

The secretary of the Economy, Graciela Marquez, and the Secretary of Commerce of the United States, Wilbur Ross, will hold a meeting in the framework of CEO Dialogue, to…

Apples might be included

Canada considers new tariffs on US products

New retaliatory tariffs by Canada on US products -including agricultural ones- may soon be on the way. Canadian ambassador to the US David MacNaughton told members of the…

Cultivation of aquatic vegetables in Spain has grown by 248% in ten years

Vegetables do not grow only on the soil, they do so also in the sea. We are talking about marine algae, a product that has been consumed in Asia since time immemorial and that…

Air freight demand continues downward trajectory in February 2019

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for global air freight markets showing that demand, measured in freight tonne kilometers (FTKs), decreased 4.7% in February 2019, compared to the same period in 2018. This was the fourth consecutive month of negative year-on-year growth and…

Israel: Vegetable prices exceptionally high for Passover

Imports have been introduced but it will take months for the shortages to be eliminated, the Ministry of Agriculture reports. Prices of tomatoes and cucumbers are rising…

Mexican growers have proposed a new tomato suspension agreement

Florida Tomatoes responds to the Mexican Growers' public proposal

The Florida Tomato Exchange has issued the following statement in response to a proposal from Mexican Growers for a new tomato suspension agreement: The domestic industry…

Arjen Bouma, Gilad Produce:

“Best start of Dutch pepper season in years”

The Dutch pepper season has once again started for Gilad Produce in De Lier. “Red, green and yellow peppers, but we also have specialities of our Dutch market gardeners available,” says Arjen Bouma. According to the salesperson, the market is exceptionally good at the moment. “We haven’t had such a start…

Spain is the number one importer of Moroccan fruit

In the past five years, the value of fruit and vegetable exports from Morocco has almost doubled, from 1,174.67 million Euro in 2014 to 2,079.38 million in 2018. Spain has…

Danish government allocates 30 million to enlarge organic acreage

In Denmark, the area used to grow organic products is larger than ever. There are also more organic agricultural and horticultural companies. The Danish government and Danish…

European tomato contact group

Battling New Delhi, Tuta absoluta and ToBRFV

New Delhi, Tuta absoluta and ToBRFV - these are the phytosanitary emergencies discussed by the table tomato contact group that has met in Ragusa on 4th and 5th April 2019. Guido Grasso from Confagricoltura briefly illustrated the history of each pathogen and stressed how ToBRFV is easily transmitted via…

China Railway Express opens new freight route to Poland

Ever since the China Railway Express started its freight train service to Europe, an increasing number of international companies have cashed on in its relatively high speed to transport goods overseas. The costs of shipping via China Railway Express are almost the same as those of shipping goods by sea.…

Moldova needs to invest in development of greenhouse agriculture

The Republic of Moldova produces only 4 percent of its vegetables in greenhouses, although this sector could become a strategic one for Moldova, according to experts from the…

British Retail Consortium:

UK: ‘Food price Inflation highest in almost six years’

Last month, UK food prices reached their highest rate of inflation in almost six years, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC). The extreme weather of last year - both cold and hot - hit the planting of crops, pushing up the price of such things as onions, potatoes and cabbages. But the BRC…

Fourth largest European producer

Cardboard production in Spain grew by 1.6% in 2018

The cardboard production in Spain reached 5,286 million square meters in 2018, which represents a growth of 1.6% compared to the previous year. Spain thus consolidates as the…

American Farm Bureau relieved that border will remain open

“We are relieved by the administration’s announcement today that there will not be an immediate closure of our border with Mexico. That is good news for farmers and ranchers on two fronts – trade and access to agricultural workers", commented American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall,…

Arizona State University professor:

‘Deporting undocumented workers would have huge cost impact’

A plate of beautiful vegetables on your table is the result of a complicated matrix of farm labor, wages, costs and consumer prices. The growers who produce those vegetables…

Brexit impacts Scottish grocery sales

Nielsen’s latest grocery figures seem to indicate that political uncertainty is seeping into consumer behaviour and causing people to spend more cautiously. For the four weeks until 23 February, Nielsen found that the average spend per visit had fallen from the same period last year, with consumers…

Gidmarket: 10% of total Russian vegetable imports are carrots

According to GidMarket analysts, in 2018, with a total volume of imported vegetables of 1.88 million tons, carrots took up 10%. The report said: “In absolute terms, the size…

Spain: Horticultural retail prices were 4.5 times greater than at origin in March

The price paid by consumers for food in March was 4.5 times higher than that received by growers, according to data from the Spanish agricultural organization COAG. The price…

The supply of Moroccan table tomatoes worries European producers

The main supplier of table tomatoes for Italy is the Netherlands with over 114,000 tons of produce exported. Italy's main destination is instead Germany with over 61,000 tons (2018 data). As regards medium term forecasts, it is estimated that table tomato imports to the EU should increase by 0.4…

‘Produce is already getting delayed at the border’

For decades, tons of fresh produce have passed through the McAllen Produce Terminal Market, a critical gateway connecting Mexican fruits and vegetables with US kitchens and restaurants. But that rapid flow of commerce is slowing down, as US Customs and Border Protection personnel get diverted to handle…

What the Italian market is importing from Spain

In Italy there is quite a lively demand for Spanish produce at the moment as, when it comes to prices, Spain seems to be more competitive. "Demand for Spanish iceberg lettuce is always good with prices ranging from €0.15 to €0.25 per head in case of high quantities. Prices cost €1.20-1.50 for 2 kg…

Chinese storage volume of vegetables declines, price rises

The Shouguang City Price Index Surveillance Center announced that the vegetable price index increased between March 11th and 17th, 2019. Director of the center, analyst Sui…

Workforce is the single biggest challenge for global horticulture

Addressing AHDB’s SmartHort conference, NFU Sector Board Chair and apple producer, Ali Capper, made it clear that UK horticulture is not alone in its challenge to access labour. “Just employ local people,” said Ali. “The amount of times that is said, but it fails to recognise that labour is not a…

Vegetables get even more colorful with spring

Supply levels of spring vegetables are mixed coming out of California’s Santa Maria Valley. “Our coastal growing region in the Santa Maria Valley has received a steady amount of rainfall which has enriched our aquifers. However, the rain can cause disruptions in our planting schedule, leading to short…

Iran: Tomato prices double overnight as export ban is lifted

According to official news outlet IRNA, tomato prices have doubled in two days after the Iranian government lifted the export ban. In recent weeks, other vegetables, such as…

Nabil Belmkaddem - BestBerry

Morocco: Early production is the key to competitive berry exports

Using the mild Moroccan climate to capitalise on prices early in the season is vital for the country's growth, according to a major berry cooperative. BestBerry General Manager Nabil Belmkaddem told visitors to last week’s Global Berry Congress that earliness is the key, because that is where the best…

House Judiciary Committee Labor Hearing commended

The United Fresh Produce Association commends the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship for holding a hearing on “Securing the Future of American…

Environmentalists rip Israeli plan to use more plastic for produce

Israel’s Agriculture and Rural Development Ministry has sported a new initiative to pay supermarkets to wrap fruits and vegetables in plastic in order to cut down on spoiled produce. Not unexpectedly, this initiative has environmentalists fuming. The Ministry announced last week that a new initiative to…

New TNE service to connect Turkey with the US East Coast

Hapag-Lloyd is launching a new liner service offering a direct connection between Turkey and the US East Coast. The Turkey North America East Coast (TNE) service will operate every nine days between the Turkish seaport of Marmara (Izmit, Istanbul and Gemlik) and the US ports of New York, Norfolk and…

Zimbabwe: Cyclone Idai hits tomato crops

Zimbabwe’s Manicaland province could be faced with an acute shortage of tomatoes this season as more than 70 percent of the crop was destroyed by floods, in turn induced by…

AUSVEG CEO James Whiteside:

"Two weeks to implement new wage rates not long enough"

The Fair Work Commission’s (FWC) decision to provide growers with only two weeks to implement changes to the Horticulture Award has surprised industry and will force small-…

Regional Australia Institute:

“New visas will help job vacancies outside the cities”

The think tank known as the ‘Regional Australia Institute’ claims that millions of people in regional Australia will benefit from the government's population policy. The…

American Farm Bureau concerned about labor, trade if border closed

The American Farm Bureau Federation is urging the administration to make sure that any steps undertaken to tighten enforcement at the U.S. border do not create more uncertainty for agricultural producers. “Right now, farmers and ranchers are toughing it out,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “Many of…

Singapore: Importer fined $3,000 for illegal import of vegetables

A Singapore importer was fined $3,000 for bringing in fresh vegetables that did not conform to import permit requirements, the Singapore Food Agency said in a release on April…

Wim Bouden, Kiem-X:

“Besides leek sprouts, red radish sprouts are currently very popular”

“It’s noticeable that red radish sprouts have recently been selling very well. This is fairly remarkable, because leek sprouts have been the absolute number one in sales for years. Some major customers currently even buy as many red radish as leek sprouts,” says Wim Bouden of Kiem-X. “I’ve noticed that a…

Tom Nassif, Western Growers

"The simple fact is this: fruits and vegetables that are eaten in the United States will be harvested by foreign hands"

Western Growers President & CEO Tom Nassif detailed the critical labor shortages facing American agriculture and laid out the case for agricultural immigration reform before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship. In his testimony, Nassif stated that experienced workers are…

Dutch expenses in soft fruit increased by 77% in five years

During his introductory speech of the general meeting for fruit trading of GroentenFruit Huis, chairperson of the Comité Fruit, Peter van Osch of Veiling Zaltbommel, first explained the export to new markets that opened up in the past year, such as Brazil, China, India, Vietnam, Colombia and Mexico for…

"More companies conned into transferring money by 'fake' colleagues”

Internet fraudsters often pretend to be colleagues or friends to get money. According to security experts, the million euro scamming of a Dutch chain of movie theaters, pulled…

French-Italian partnership for industry tomatoes

A partnership was established between Italian and French companies to improve the Italian industry tomato production and increase profit margins. The partnership was set up by Timac Agro Italia (under French multinational Roullier), Consorzio agrario di Cremona and Consorzio Casalasco del pomodoro.…

Falling prices for fennel: high supply and low consumption

The last three months have been characterized by satisfactory commercial results, due to a lack of product and quality, a lot of enthusiasm and skyrocketing prices. Now, a supply that exceeded the capacity to absorb demand and a collapse in consumption led to a fall in fennel prices. Almost all the…

Fluctuating quotations for strawberries

Antonio Benzi, wholesaler at the Rimini market and producer from Cesena (FC) reports that "there are very few Spanish strawberries on our market as all wholesalers prefer Italian ones. But prices fluctuate due to the weather and availability." Benzi explains that, over the past few days, high-quality…

Temperatures increase

China: Large volume of chilli peppers about to enter market

Every year in March and April the vegetable market enters a period where the reserves of autumn vegetables run out and the supply of spring vegetables is not yet fully under…

Price of greens in Ukraine rose by 19% in March

According to the price monitoring conducted by analysts EastFruit weekly , Ukrainian prices for fresh greens in March jumped by 19% immediately, despite the increase in average daily air temperatures and the beginning of sales of greenery produced in Ukraine from greenhouses in the southern regions of…

Netherlands: Helping farmers and horticulturists make considered business decisions

Alfons Beldman and Jan Willem van der Schans are researchers at Wageningen Economic Research. They work closely on programmes to help dairy farmers make considered choices…

Price up to $7 a bunch

Australia: Celery prices soar 300% - juicing trend drives up demand

Australia’s hottest summer on record, floods and a craze for pure celery juice has driven the price of celery up 300% in two months. The crunchy vegetable is retailing for as…

Despite competition from imports

Michigan asparagus farmers hope for profitable harvest

Michigan asparagus farmers hope to see prices rise somewhat before the crop is harvested later this spring. Asparagus prices have been affected by imports of the vegetable in…

Czech Republic: Veg prices skyrocket due to last year’s poor harvest

The price of vegetables within Czech retail has seen a steep growth. Potatoes are now more expensive than exotic fruits. And, since last year’s poor harvest was a pan-European…

Indian States with highest and lowest vegetable production - last four years

The Agricultural Ministry annual report 2017-18 makes clear that India is a leader in production of vegetables like peas and okra. The country also occupies the second position in production of brinjal, cabbage, cauliflower and onion and third in potato and tomato in the world. “Vegetables are an…

Catalonia

Spain: "The organic sector maintains its growth trend"

"The data and results presented by the Catalan Council of Organic Agricultural Production (CCPAE) reveal that over the last quarter of a century, the organic sector has…

"Diversion of port staffing, threats of border closures harmful for U.S. businesses, security, and economic health"

The Fresh Produce Association of the Americas (FPAA) is concerned about recent announcements to shift Customs and Border Protection officers from ports of entry in order to assist Border Patrol with the care, processing, and custody of migrants crossing the border. Of further concern are statements…

China: Growing tomato supply sees prices return to regular levels

Sannong Zhongguo reports that tomatoes sold well in the last half year. The price greatly increased and even reached more than 5 yuan [0.74 USD] per 0.5 kg. Now that the…

India: Nagaland State to promote ‘Naga tree tomato’

The North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation Limited (NERAMAC) on Friday organised a workshop on ‘Post GI Activities for Naga Tree Tomato and registration for Authorized Users’ in Kohima. The workshop conducted with the aim of creating awareness among the farmers about the usage of…

2017 numbers

Daily consumption of fruit and vegetables in the EU

In 2017, around 1 in 4 people (27 %) ate fruit at least twice a day, according to a survey of the European Union (EU) population. A further 37 % of the EU population ate fruit once a day and the remaining 36 % ate fruit either less frequently or not at all during a typical week. Click here for a larger…

AmericanHort welcomes more seasonal worker visas

On March 29, the Department of Homeland Security announced that it plans to release an additional 30,000 H-2B workers for returning immigrant workers. "This progress would not have happened without the steady advocacy push by our advocacy team, industry leaders, association members, state association…

Greenhouse vegetable cultivation gets back on its feet in Crimea

In order to provide the residents of Crimea as well as tourists with fresh vegetables all year round, the greenhouse acreage on the peninsula is to quadruple. There has been gradual growth recently but it is far from reaching the recommended norm of vegetable consumption yet. The enterprise Krymteplitsa…

Bulgaria imported over 600,000 tons of fruit and veg in 2018

Bulgarians are eating more imported fruits and vegetables, and are also exporting their domestic produce, as shown by the latest data from the Ministry of Agriculture. In…

Vegetable prices up 40 percent in Ankara in 2019

Vegetable prices in the Turkish capital of Ankara increased 40.11 percent in the first three months of the year, according to a report by Turkey's biggest trade union confederation. Türk-Iş said food prices in Ankara fell 0.73 percent in March, while increasing 21.13 percent on a year-on-year basis.…

Reservoirs at 58.1% of their total capacity

Lack of rainfall taking a toll on water reserves in Spain

The Spanish Government is keeping a close eye on the amounts of rainfall, as well as on how the lack of rain water could take a toll on the agricultural productions. Meanwhile, the water reservoirs are currently at 58% of their total capacity and there is still a commitment to implementing "sustainable…

Market information Flandria

Beefsteak tomatoes continue to be the most expensive at auction

Every week, areas of traditional production will be added now. In the coming week, we mostly expect more light, which can only benefit our tomatoes. A rising supply results in…

Cindy van Rijswick - Rabobank

Price is biggest risk for glasshouse berry growers

The International finance institution, Rabobank says the seasonal nature of strawberry production and the volatility in prices can make it risky for growers wanting to invest in the industry, if they do not mitigate. Cindy van Rijswick, told the Global Berry Congress Expo in the Rotterdam, recent…

CPMA’s convention and trade show by the numbers

The 2019 Canadian Produce Marketing Association Convention and Trade Show, taking place in Montreal, Quebec, is only one week away. The following is a snapshot – by the…

Bulgarian vegetable growers see reduction of both acreage and volume

The production of traditional Bulgarian vegetables, such as tomatoes, gherkins and peppers, is falling, as revealed by the annual analysis of the Ministry of Agriculture,…

Attorney General to review migrant farm worker pay

The Michigan Civil Rights Commission is asking Attorney General Dana Nessel to reconsider whether Michigan’s smallest farms can legally pay migrant farm workers less than minimum wage. A 2016 state interpretation asserted that some small farms do not have to pay it, because they are exempt from federal…

Situation of industrial tomato sowing in Spanish region of Andalusia

In 2018, almost 6,000 hectares were devoted to the open ground cultivation of industrial tomatoes in Andalusia. This figure is expected to be slightly higher in 2019. The…

Truck processing halted on Sunday - produce companies feeling the effects

Day after day, hundreds of trucks cross Arizona’s border with Mexico packed full of fresh produce. This could now be at risk. President Trump is giving Mexico one week to stop the flow of undocumented immigrants into the US, or else he’ll close off the border. The closing of the southern border with…

Generating €460 million

Morocco: Red fruit exports up 48%

Morocco’s red fruits exports increased by 48 percent in 2018, generating MAD 5 billion (€461 mln) compared to MAD 2 billion in 2017. Morocco’s berry exports increased…

More than 3,000 tons of vegetables unsold in Kazakhstan

Vegetable producers East Kazakhstan are unable to sell more than 2,000 tons of potatoes, 735 tons of carrots and 630 tons of onions. A similar situation exists in neighboring Ust-Kamenogorsk, where over 14,000 tons of potatoes, 580 tons of carrots and 356 tons of onions remained in the warehouses.…

Certain polystyrene food containers will be banned as of 2021

Frans Timmermans: "If we don't change our ways, we will choke our oceans in plastic"

This Wednesday, the plenary session of the European Parliament has approved the regulation that will ban some of the most popular disposable plastic items as of 2021,…

This spring will be warmer and sunnier in Spain

The spring, which started this Wednesday evening, will be hotter and less rainy than normal across Spain, following the second driest winter of the 21st century and the fifth since 1965. In a press conference organized to present the seasonal forecast, the water balance and an analysis of last winter,…

Rising popularity of arugula in Spain for use in bagged salad

The proliferation of bagged salads in the supermarket shelves has given a boost to the cultivation of arugula in the Spanish Region of Murcia. This plant, which had been…

What's at stake in the US-Mexico tomato fight?

The US has announced plans to unilaterally withdraw from the tomato suspension agreement with Mexico by May 7, 2019. In the meantime, negotiations may continue. According to the RaboResearch report, Tomato Fight: What Is at Stake?, if parties reach a renewed suspension agreement, specific conditions may…

Considerable reduction of Russia’s greenhouse vegetable imports

In January 2019, Russia imported minimal volumes of greenhouse vegetables compared to the past three years, according to analysts from EastFruit. Compared with January 2018,…

Danish organic fruit and veg prices under pressure

New data from the Danish Consumer Board, Tænk, indicates that the price of organic fruit and vegetables is subject to fierce competition. Almost all the supermarkets lowered…

Bulgaria: Fruit and veg export trends

Bulgarian fruit and vegetable producers have the privilege to be part of one of the largest and most solvent markets in the world – this of the EU. For already twelve years,…

Singapore focuses on food security to counter external threats

Singapore, which imports 90% of the food it consumes, is making concerted efforts to produce and store its own food, as it seeks greater food security in the face of external threats such as climate change and pressures from neighboring Malaysia. The Singapore government has launched a series of new food…

"Datterino tomatoes increasingly demanded by the market"

The cultivation of the new Fenix datterino tomato is in full production and its varietal name Miele ("honey"), not by chance, recalls the sweetness and the excellent organoleptic characteristics that characterize this product. In the photo on the right: the shape of the bunch and the fruit makes this…

Doctors ‘prescribing fruits and veg’ could save the US $100 billion in medical costs

Researchers have found that “prescriptions” for healthy foods could save more than $100 billion in healthcare costs. People at Tufts University made the case that subsidized fruits and vegetables could prevent millions of cases of chronic diseases. Roughly 70% of diseases in the U.S. are chronic and…

Spain: Endesa to cultivate microalgae in Almeria

Forty years ago, the Gregorio Marañón Institute in Madrid proposed setting up a microalgae cultivation plant in Almeria. A few years later, Pescanova presented a project for microalgae cultivation in the Cabo de Gata which didn't see the light. The University of Almeria, the Cajamar Experimental Station…

North American tomato supplies set to improve

Tomato supplies remain light as the transition of a number of growing regions takes place. In Mexico, the winter crop is nearing its end and in the US, Florida supplies are also waning before the spring crop starts. As a result, suppliers are feeling a tightness in the market. "We still have some…

Dutch growers are ready

Quality of Spanish bell peppers decreasing, now waiting for retail to switch

As soon as supermarkets start placing signs with the message ‘this bell pepper mix is no longer in stock due to very bad quality,’ it becomes clear the Spanish import season is ending. “When you now put Spanish bell peppers next to Dutch product, some differences become apparent,” says Sales Manager…

Still being excluded from Syrian markets

Jordan exporters say border opening fails to bring relief

According to the Vice President of the Jordan Exporters and Producers Society for Fruits and Vegetables, Zuhair Jweihan, no trucks laden with commercial quantities of Jordanian fruits and vegetables have entered Syria since the reopening of the border crossing between the Syria and Jordan in mid-October…

Romaine in moderate supply as desert regions wrap up

The Romaine lettuce season in the desert regions is in its final weeks as producers prepare for the transition northward. It hasn't been the smoothest of seasons for Yuma or the Imperial Valley for any commodities due to generally cool conditions with rain also appearing at times. Quality is mixed as the…

Serbia: Huge jump in vegetable prices at outdoor markets

The Statistics Office of the Republic of Serbia has stated that while the vegetable prices are rising steadily, fruits are cheaper by 12 per cent compared to 2018. The prices of most types of vegetables, compared to the same period last year, rose by between 20 and 30 per cent, while the prices of some…

AU: Melbourne's private wholesale market tours helping provide start-up knowledge to new produce businesses

Due to an increase in demand, the company which provides tours at the Melbourne wholesale markets has recently expanded its services to provide a more specialised experience for visitors. Jan Claire operates "C the Market" tours and says she is now seeing many younger entrepreneurial people who have no…

Vegetables expected to do well until Easter

The autumn-winter vegetable season has passed its half-way mark in the Bari province. Chard, chicory, puntarellas, celery, fennel, broccoli, cauliflowers, Roman cauliflowers and cabbage are still available and asparagus processing started a few days ago. "The fluctuating weather of this season had…

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