Shortage of supplies was present even before Florida entered the market

Cabbage prices high for entire Florida season

Florida cabbage growers have been enjoying a very strong market since the beginning of the season. Prices have been high for months, even before Florida entered the market, sparked by shortages due to weather issues in several other growing regions. "The market has been very good for us our entire season and looks…

UK to sign post-Brexit trade continuity accord with Israel

The UK and Israel are to sign an agreement, meant to ensure continuity in trade relations after Britain leaves the EU. Secretary of State for International Trade Liam Fox and Israel’s Economy and Industry Minister Eli Cohen will sign the accord in Tel Aviv, the British Embassy in Israel and the ministry said in…

China: Strawberries in Dandong pricier than last year

The production season of Chinese greenhouse strawberries is in full swing. Market supply comes from various production areas and the price shows daily fluctuations. "The daily price is the product of various important factors, and weather conditions in particular. The price of strawberries is currently…

Report on satellite crop monitoring in northern Iran

The Iranian Space Agency (ISA) has released a report on satellite crop monitoring of the subtropical area in its Northern provinces of Gilan and Mazandaran. The monitoring is based on the imagery received from remote sensing satellites. The detailed report is provided for provincial managers in order to…

Netherlands: Container growth pushes throughput at port of Rotterdam to new highs

At 469.0 million tonnes, the port of Rotterdam’s total throughput volume ended up slightly higher in 2018 than in 2017, which was itself a record year (467.4 million tonnes). Container transhipment was the engine of growth again, with a 4.5% increase in tonnage. Measured in TEUs, the increase was 5.7% and the annual…

In first three months after March 29th

No-Deal Brexit could cost grocery sector billions

According to an analysis by operational improvement specialist Newton, the UK grocery industry could lose up to £4.5 billion of revenue in the three months after Brexit if retailers and manufacturers are not prepared by 29 March. The figure is based on an estimated 20% additional gaps on supermarket shelves due to…

USDA GAIN Report

Germany remains a very price-sensitive market

Germany is one of the largest markets for fruit in Europe. The relative affluence of its population of 83 million people makes it an attractive outlet for exporters from many countries. This product brief highlights certain aspects of the German fruit market and provides marketing, trade, and regulatory…

Morocco & Spain to build railway line

Morocco and Spain are studying the possibility of a connection between the two countries through a continental railway line. In an interview with Anadolu Agency, Morocco’s Secretary of State for Transport Najib Boulif said that both countries have been working on the continental railway: “We are now in…

'With the right products, right audiences, right messages’

Outlook for US fresh retail sector looks bright

John Toaspern, Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) at Potatoes USA assumed the new position of Chief Marketing Officer at the National Potato Promotion Board in July, 2014. As the Chief Marketing Officer John oversees both the international and domestic marketing programs at Potatoes USA as well as the…

Iran: Exports to Russia up 36 percent in 2018

As reported by Eghtesadonline this Sunday, Iran exported US$533 million worth of commodities to Russia in 2018. This is a growth of 36 percent in Iran's exports to the northern neighbour, compared to the year before. Iran's exports mainly included pistachio, raisins, dates, apples, cucumbers, tomatoes, fish, shrimp,…

The status and future of the strawberry industry in the United States

A comprehensive review led by Jayesh Samtani of Virginia Tech and Curt Rom of the University of Arkansas encapsulates an understanding of the challenges, needs, and opportunities of strawberry growers across the United States. Samtani and Rom formed and gathered support from a team of 12 researchers from…

Zimbabwe might return some land to white farmers

The Zimbabwean government is likely to give back some land to white farmers, after a land audit is set to be completed in March. An audit seeks to flush out multiple farm owners, correcting some of the wrongs from the country’s chaotic fast-track land reform exercise. The audit is currently being carried out across…

USDA Organic Annual Report Bulgaria

Bulgaria: More middle-income consumers able to buy organic

Bulgaria’s economic growth over the last two years has been a significant driver of consumer demand for organic products. Urban and higher-income consumers increasingly…

Low fennel quantities on the market and high prices

There is very little produce, maybe only 50% compared to a normal year so operators - those who process and package fennel for retailers and markets - are going through a difficult time. Marco Babbi from Caligari&Babbi in Savignano sul Rubicone (Forlì-Cesena) reports that "this is not a good moment as our clients are demanding…

UK: Soft fruit growers told about Brexit impact and opportunities

While Brexit can be viewed as a very real threat to the future of Scottish agriculture, it must also now be viewed as an opportunity, albeit not an easy one to grasp. That was one of the main messages of the Soft Fruit Winter Meeting of the Scottish Society for Crop Research (SSCR), held at the James…

Brit smuggled cocaine among chili peppers from Dominican Republic

Thursday, a man from Lancaster was found guilty of importing cocaine from the Dominican Republic. He tried to smuggle the cocaine into the country through Brooklyn’s Red Hook…

'New Zealand grown' labels

"New Zealand Grown" labels, indicating locally grown produce will in the next few months be rolled out on product on the supermarket shelves. The green labels, introduced by the membership-based Buy NZ Made campaign, are alternative stickers to the already existing NZ Made stickers, designed to be used by produce resellers and growers. Buy NZ Made…

Global organic acreage grows by 20%

In 2017, the organic acreage worldwide reached a record high level, with 70 million hectares; 20% more than in the previous year, according to the statistical yearbook "The organic world: Farming". The report, prepared by the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (Ifoam) and the Research Institute for…

European project to turn roofs into greenhouses

When agriculture meets construction, the cities of tomorrow take shape and with them, urban innovations emerge. A real trend in recent years, Urban Farming is nowadays not only an alternative to traditional modes of production and consumption, but above all an innovative solution for reinventing cities. It…

Southern Africa: Concrete measures needed to tackle droughts

Although there has been some rains in some parts of Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Botswana, South Africa and Namibia over the past week, these have come too little too late and…

Newfoundland storms

Canadian grocers have few options when it comes to storm-delayed produce

Ensuring fresh produce is available for their customers is an ongoing challenge for every grocery store. They don’t need stormy weather, like the three days of high winds and…

Objective: To prevent agricultural products from losing their value

France sets limits to commercial promotions at points of sale

Since January 1, the "Ordinance on sales at a loss and the organization of food product promotions" has come into force in France. It regulates, among other aspects, the promotion of food products at the points of sale. The objective is to prevent these products from losing their value. According to the French Ministry…

Chinese pepper prices warmed up briefly but now falling again

The price of hot peppers was depressed in the period before the Chinese Spring Festival [February 5th, 2019], but began to warm up after the festival ended. One trader from…

Greengrocer Erdoğan: Turkish government to sell vegetables

The Turkish government is going to sell vegetables to keep the excessively rising prices under control. Inflation of food prices hasn’t been as high as it is now since 2004, according to Bloomberg. Aubergines are 81% more expensive, cucumbers 53% and tomatoes 39%. According to Turkish president Erdoğan, various wholesalers are the cause…

“We have seen some big changes in the Russian broccoli market"

Because of the boycott on fruits and vegetables from Europe since 2014, Russian fruit importers need to search in different markets to find their fruit and vegetable supplies. “We have seen some big changes in the Russian broccoli market in the past few years. We used to import Spanish broccoli, because the quality…

Southampton University – funded by National Institute for Health Research

Study will test if a healthier supermarket layout improves diet

Researchers are leading a new study on the impact of product placement in supermarkets, and whether this influences the diets of families. A research team at Southampton University is working…

Arrests in Hampshire

UK: Six people found in a lorry full of lettuce

In the early hours of Tuesday morning, six people were arrested after they were found in the back of a lorry carrying lettuce in Hampshire. As police officers were concerned that there were people in the back of the vehicle, along with hazardous material, firefighters were called to the lorry on Newbury…

Florencio García, of Kantar Worldpanel

"Spanish consumers are willing to pay more for unique products"

The Consumer Goods sector grew by 0.7% in terms of value in 2018, according to the report "Balance of Retail and Consumer Goods 2018", presented by the leading consumer panel consultant Kantar Worldpanel. In terms of volume, the market has fallen by 1.1%, weighed down by a slowdown in population growth…

Swiss franc slumps in mini 'flash-crash'

Today, the Swiss franc slid in a mini "flash-crash", while the dollar rose. The cause: Concerns grew that US-China talks would not heal a rift over trade between the world's largest economies. A brief 1 percent drop in the franc gave currency traders a shock during today's Asia session. A Japanese public holiday meant that markets were…

Japan's vegetable imports hitting 13-year high

Japan's fresh-vegetable imports surged last year, hitting the highest numbers in more than a decade. This was mainly caused by food processors hiking imports after a string of…

US: Farm Bill implementation comments invited

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Bill Northey announced that USDA is hosting a listening session for initial input on the 2018 Farm Bill. USDA is seeking public input on the changes to existing programs implemented by the Farm Service Agency,…

The harvesting of Candonga strawberries has started in Basilicata

For Basilicata, strawberries represent the emblem of a whole season. The soil and weather conditions, especially in the coastal area, are perfect for growing this product, so much so that the region is the leader in Italy for strawberry production and commercialization. Candonga Top Quality® remains the best and most…

Continuation of bilateral economic and trade relations should be guaranteed

Switzerland and the United Kingdom sign a trade agreement

Switzerland and the United Kingdom ensure the maintenance of economic and trade relations following the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union ("Brexit").…

Oscar Woltman, AMPHAC:

"The consumer will pay when the Tomato Suspension Agreement fails"

"I don't see how terminating the agreement will benefit anybody. Not the Mexican companies, nor the Floridian ones. And worst of all: not the consumer. In the end they will pay when the Tomato Suspension Agreement fails." This says Oscar Woltman with AMHPAC, representing the Mexican greenhouse industry.…

UK: Organic food and drink sales on the rise

Organic food and drink sales in the UK rose by 9.5% in 2018, to £2.2 billion. The Soil Association’s annual Organic Market Report shows that the largest growth was in home delivery box schemes and online sales. Such sales account for 14% of all organic sales and this share is expected to grow to 25% by…

Blockchain for improved distribution, food safety, quality and traceability

With the passage of the Food Safety and Modernization Act (FSMA) comes the final rules on the Sanitary Transportation of Human and Animal Foods. Combined with the FSMA Preventive Control rules designed to establish food safety requirements throughout the food supply chain, serious documentation…

Fennel: a critical February is expected for the crop

Considerable production problems for fennel and high prices are expected in areas important for this crop: this is a summary of the current production and commercial trend. A difficult situation in Calabria. The climatic events recorded in October 2018 during the transplantation phase have delayed…

Spain: Commission to study impact of Brexit on Canary tomatoes and cucumbers

The Government of the Canary Islands and the Federation of Fruit and Vegetable Exporters (FEDEX) will set up a commission to address the impact of Brexit on the Canary tomato and cucumber sector. The decision has been taken within the framework of Fruit Logistica 2019. The possible scenarios that the sector and the…

Turkey: Storm might further increase vegetable prices

Erkan Tosun, Vice President of Antalya Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Association said that heavy rains and storms in the city caused a lower production and a lower quality in fruits and vegetables. Tosun stated that the weather conditions in Antalya may further increase vegetable prices. Tosun emphasized that farmers spent more for…

Compared to imports from the US

Australians pay almost three times more for locally grown berries

Debate is raging over the price of Australian frozen berries compared to imports; Consumers have been forking out almost three times as much for Australian grown frozen berries compared to berries imported from overseas. A woman from Perth sparked the debate over the price of frozen berries in Australia by posting…

UK: Strawberry ‘Malling Centenary’ reaches annual sales of 60,000,000 plants

‘Malling Centenary’, a strawberry variety from the East Malling Breeding Club, based at NIAB EMR in the UK, has exceeded annual sales of 60 million plants. First introduced to the market in 2013, ‘Malling Centenary’ is in demand from growers and the major international retailers owing to its very high percentage of Class…

AU: North Queensland farmers keep their eyes on the skies with the chance of major flooding

Some North Queensland farmers are nervously watching the weather over the next few days, and praying the rain eases, with the threat of flooding hanging over their heads. Leon Collins grows bananas in the Tully Valley, 210 kilometres north by road from the city of Townsville, which has been inundated by flood waters…

Egypt to switch to plastic currency

Plastic currencies are produced from polymer, which was first used as currency-making material in Australia in 1988. In 1968, that nation began researching a scientific solution to combat forgeries of the new decimal currency after it issued its $10 notes in 1966. The state spent 10 years in trials to…

A "very bad option" for both British and Spanish people

Spain: Agricultural sector fears a no-deal Brexit

The Spanish agricultural sector fears a no-deal Brexit because of the catastrophic effects that it would entail, although many producers say they have already been suffering from the depreciation of the pound sterling against the Euro. "As the weeks go by, there is growing restlessness, uncertainty and concern," says…

Mexican export bigger than ever

Uncertainty in Mexican-US tomato trade following agreement termination

Is the tomato trade between Mexico and the US heading for a trade war? With the announcement of the US Department of Commerce to withdrawal from the Tomato Suspension Agreement, the future of the Mexican tomato export is insecure. Ending of the agreement could result in higher costs and export issues for…

Tangshan Shengchuan Agriculture

Report on the Chinese Vegetable market

In China, many fruit sales are currently very good, so how is the vegetable market running? Vegetables in southern China are entering the market in large quantities; with little snowfall in the north, greenhouse vegetables are growing well, and there are a lot of stocks in the north from last autumn,…

EU adjusts 2019 growth forecast

A more "subdued" economic momentum has prompted the European Commission to revise its growth forecasts for 2019, trimming almost one-third of the formerly predicted growth. The announcement comes off the back of a slowdown in its largest economy, Germany, and amid deadlock and a ticking clock on negotiations for the UK to leave…

And to cut imports from Western Europe

Polish farmers want to resume trade with Russia

On Wednesday, several thousand farmers from different Polish regions held a rally outside the presidential palace in Warsaw, demanding that the government resume trade with Russia and limit imports of food products from Western Europe. Farmers demanded repayment of various compensations, control over the imports of…

Extension of tariff preferences of the Association Agreement to the Sahara

EU-Morocco agreement comes into force

The agreement between the EU and Morocco to extend the tariff preferences of the Association Agreement to the productions of the Sahara is now in force. This follows the…

Aubergine prices in Turkey cause conflict

A kilo of aubergines went from costing five liras in Istanbul markets last week to twelve liras. This increase, which affects other vegetables that are essential to the…

Council of Ministers approves extending tariff preferences of Association Agreement with Morocco to the Sahara

This week, the Council of Ministers of Agriculture has decided that it will allow the tariff preferences of the Association Agreement between Morocco and the EU to be extended to Western Sahara, after approval in the European Parliament on January 16, 2019. According to the Council, "the amendment of the Agreement complies…

Hungary: Vegetable prices and imports on the rise due to weather issues

In Hungary, weather factors such as drought or flood-like rain are playing an important role in increasing costs. The Central Statistical Office has officially confirmed what everybody is already feeling in their wallets: the price of plant products has increased by more than 9% in a year. This price increase is especially…

Food security in the United Arab Emirates and opportunities for Dutch companies

Did you know that yearly 1.3 billion tons of food is wasted globally? If only one quarter of the food wasted was saved, it would feed approx. 870 million hungry people around the world. Food Consumption in the UAE is growing at an annual rate of more than 4% per year. The population is estimated to…

Alternatives to large retailers are developing

General awareness of consumption and nutrition is growing: eating healthier, consuming more responsibly, or promoting the short chain as a way out of the agricultural crisis.…

Louisiana strawberry season arrives with tasty fruit

For those who wait patiently for those big, juicy Louisiana strawberries each year, the wait is over. Growers in the Florida Parishes have begun picking, and the weather is working in their favor. LSU AgCenter horticulture agent Mary Helen Ferguson said some growers in Tangipahoa Parish are starting to pick berries.…

US: Authorities find more than $14 million of meth & cocaine between fresh bell peppers

Last Wednesday, authorities seized half a ton of methamphetamine and nearly 10 pounds of cocaine. The drugs were hidden in a shipment of fresh bell peppers. U.S. Customs and Border Protection Field Operations at the Pharr International Bridge encountered a commercial shipment of fresh bell peppers arriving from Mexico.…

Senator for Florida urges government to terminate tomato suspension agreement

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and U.S. Representative Ted Yoho (R-FL), with bipartisan support from 46 Senate and House colleagues from around the nation, has urged Commerce…

Spain: Canary Islands seeking alternative markets for tomatoes sold to the UK

The Canary delegation that will attend this week's Fruit Logistica, in Berlin, will be looking for alternative markets for tomato exports currently shipped to the United Kingdom, given the possibility of a hard Brexit. "The uncertainty about Brexit is a hot topic. Nobody knows what is going to happen. Cucumbers, and especially…

Saudi Arabia: Indian exporters do not heed pesticide residue levels

Sources in Saudi Arabia reported that instances of higher than permissible levels of pesticide residues were found on vegetables exported from India (like okra and green…

Egypt: Agriculture Minister signs MoU to build greenhouses in Zambia

Egyptian Agriculture Minister Ezzeddin Abu Steit, currently visiting Lusaka, signed a memorandum of understanding to build a new joint farm specializing in greenhouse…

Cambodian farmers urged to boost production

Cambodians consumed an average of 540 tonnes of vegetables a day last year, while the country was only able to produce just 400 tonnes of vegetables a day in 2018 according to a recent report from the Ministry of Agriculture, who urged farmers to boost production to meet rapidly growing domestic demand. Veng…

India increases vegetable exports by 60%

The Indian government has set the vegetable export target at US$ 37 million for the first six months (July to December) of the current fiscal year.The country earned $59…

Sourced from Spain, Mexico, the Netherlands and the Dominican Republic

Significant growth in demand for Italian eggplants

Greenhouse Italian eggplant is limited in availability right now. “It’s as expected at this time of year,” says Daniel Mosquera of MamaMia Produce in East Rutherford, NJ. “The supplies into the U.S. are from Spain and a little bit from Mexico.” Mexico supplies these eggplants year-round as it grows in two different regions.…

Ghana: Rabobank Foundation and HortiFresh sign financial agreement with Jakoepan vegetable exports

The signing of the Cooperation Agreement of the first Exporter-Outgrower financial product between Joekopan, Rabobank Foundation and HortiFresh took place at the HortiFresh Fair at Blue Skies. Joekopan is one of the top three vegetable exporters from Ghana, and was winner of the Vegetable Exporter of the…

EU-28 agri-food chain makes joint proposals to Michel Barnier in preparation for a Brexit no-deal scenario

Copa and Cogeca, CELCAA and FoodDrinkEurope, on behalf of the entire EU agrifood chain, acknowledge the significant efforts of the EU and UK negotiation teams in securing the…

Crop areas in England, 2015-2018

The UK Government has released statistics on the crop areas claimed under the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) in 2018 compared to the previously published official crop areas from the Defra June Survey of…

Nigeria to stop importing tomatoes by 2021

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of Nigeria, Chief Audu Ogbeh, has disclosed the federal government’s resolve to ban the importation of tomato products into…

May 8-11, Tokyo

EU agri-food delegation goes on trade mission to Japan

Commissioner Phil Hogan will be visiting Japan in May 2019, accompanied by a business delegation of senior representatives from the European agri-food sector. The purpose of…

Rise in exports to the UK despite unfavorable exchange rate

Far fewer tomatoes exported in 2018

Dutch tomato exports had a peak year in 2017. Exports, however, declined in 2018. In 2018, Dutch tomato exports were estimated to be worth EUR1.610 million. This is a…

Market information Flandria

Belgium: Tomato prices on the rise

A strong increase in the leeks supply is expected to lower the prices. Last week's cold weather has passed. However, prices remain strong compared to the same period last…

Turkey: Government intends to keep track of vegetable prices

The Trade Ministry has asked the governors of its 81 provinces to keep a close eye on the movements in the prices of vegetables and fruits as the government is increasingly growing uneasy over what it describes as “excessive prices.” The Ministry requested local officials to regularly visit supermarkets, street markets,…

In a truck loaded with cucumbers

Arizona authorities make largest fentanyl bust in US history

The sensitive nose of a drug-sniffing dog has led to what federal officials say is the largest seizure in US history of fentanyl. This is a synthetic opioid that is blamed for…

UK, France and Germany create payments system to trade with Iran

In 2015, Iran accepted curbs on its nuclear programme in return for the lifting of sanctions. Last November the US reinstated all its sanctions on Iran. The White House said…

Australia: Workplace compliance top of agenda at Fair Farms workshop

Growcom has long held a zero tolerance stance on worker exploitation and unethical business practices. by Growcom CEO, David Thomson Through Fair Farms, the new industry-developed workplace training and certification program, we are providing a mechanism for growers and pack houses to demonstrate compliance with Fair Work laws through…

Freshfel Europe:

"Continue to stimulate consumption despite high uncertainty in the business environment"

Despite high uncertainty in the fruit and vegetable business environment, Freshfel Europe urges the sector to continue to stimulate consumption for the benefit of European…

Freezing temperatures in US kept produce demand down

It certainly was very cold last week in the US with the Polar Vortex bringing freezing cold temperatures into central parts of the country. States such as Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Michigan and the Dakotas experienced temperatures approaching -40 degrees Celsius, with wind chills even lower. For produce…

US (AZ): Nogales customs seize drugs in cucumber shipment

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Nogales Commercial Facility seized nearly $4.6 million in fentanyl and methamphetamine totaling close to 650 pounds on Saturday from a Mexican national when he attempted to enter the United States through the Port of Nogales. The seizure is the largest…

"Consumers are also becoming blueberry specialists, not anything goes anymore"

In recent years, the blueberry acreage in the Spanish province of Huelva has grown strongly. Blueberries are tasty and offer countless health benefits, making the fruit more and more popular. One of the companies that has grown the most in the cultivation and marketing of blueberries is Coophuelva. The…

New EU retail rules will protect farmers, even after Brexit

Anthea McIntyre is Conservative Party agriculture spokesman in Brussels. She recently highlighted an agreement between the European institutions on a new directive to curb…

Growers in southern Spain:

“Cherry tomatoes could cost 10% more 'within a week of Brexit'”

The cost of cherry tomatoes could increase by more than 10% if there is a no deal Brexit, say growers in southern Spain. On a site near Alicante, 60 million kilograms of cherry tomatoes are grown, picked and shipped every year and a third of them are bound for the UK. But growers are worried that a no…

South Korean import of food products from China worth 4.8 billion in 2018

The South Korean Food and Medicine Safety Office announced that South Korean import of food products from China reached a value of 4.77 billion USD in 2018. The most popular…

How is the vegetable market prior to Chinese Spring Festival?

The Chinese Spring Festival [February 5th, 2019] is just around the corner, which means that the market for agricultural by-products has entered its busy season and trade is…

Lively demand for radicchio

Cristiana Furiani from Geofur reports that it is a good period for radicchio as quality is excellent and demand is lively. "We are rather pleased with the current market trends, as they favor high-quality productions." Cristiana Furiani Retailer demand is lively, so the produce can be harvested, packed and shipped very quickly safeguarding all organoleptic qualities and,…

Turkey: Aubergine prices increase due to lower production

Antalya is the main producer of aubergines in Turkey and prices in this city have increased by up to 15 lira per kilo. Farmers collected 40 to 50 kilograms of aubergines in a…

Miguel Benjumea, of Surexport: "A variety program of our own in order to stand out"

"Berry consumption is increasingly less season-bound"

"El Álamo" farm, in Almonte, with around 400 hectares of irrigated crops In the 1990's, a family of Valencian origin decided to give strawberry cultivation a try by renting land in the area surrounding Doñana, in Huelva. This is the origin of what would eventually become Surexport, the private company that produces the…

Paysans de Rougeline: p

France: "Proud of our products without any residue"

It has been two years now that the Paysans de Rougeline developed production without any chemical residue through the Nouveaux Champs Collective. A collective which brings together more than 44 companies in France today, intended for a promising future. “One of the main concerns currently expressed by…

Will fertilizer become more expensive after Chinese Spring Festival?

The market conditions for fertilizer have not improved with the arrival of a new year. The market for raw material is weak and so is the price of compound fertilizer. In some…

Getting green beans to meet the quality demands

Spain: Project seeks development of more competitive green beans

The research institute Misión Biológica de Galicia (MBG), part of the Spanish High Council for Scientific Research (CSIC), is participating in the research project 'New bean…

At Hofer, Austrian tomatoes are now in season permanently

Regional vegetables despite freezing temperatures

For Austrian consumers, regional products are important when selecting food products. Naturally, in winter, the share of regional products on the vegetable shelves is smaller than in the warm months. However, the demand for local vegetables is still high in the colder season. For this reason, the…

No deal challenges for UK horticulture

With the Brexit clock ticking, AHDB’s latest Horizon report presents new insight into the potential impacts on the UK’s trade in agricultural and horticultural goods. 'Brexit prospects for UK horticulture trade' examines in detail how both an orderly withdrawal and a no-deal scenario will affect trade across horticulture. A…

A successful artichoke campaign also depends on the planning

The time has come to plan artichoke cultivation and plant purchasing. Fresh produce is doing well at the moment but high-quality plants are needed to obtain good produce. "We specialize in the multiplication of artichoke plants using meristems. In 2018, we sold over 500 thousand plants, mainly to Italian…

Hungary: Organic farming growing, but still under EU average

According to data compiled by Eurostat, the proportion of agricultural Hungarian acreage utilized for organic farming stood at 3.7% in 2017, a little more than half of the 7.0% average rate for the European Union as a whole. The rate was 14.1% in the Czech Republic, 9.9% in Slovakia, and 3.4% in Poland. The highest…

Bangladesh: Rajshahi district is nation's largest vegetable producer

In 2017-18, farmers from the Rajshahi district produced a whopping 402,790 tons of vegetables. Rajshahi has been recognized as the largest vegetable producer in the country.…

Scots consider abandoning fruit and vegetable growing due to lack of workers

Scottish MPs have been told that worker shortages are forcing farmers to consider shutting down their fruit and vegetable operations. Scotland’s soft fruit industry, which is…

CAN (BC): Funding boost for open-field growers

A Delta-based fresh vegetable provider and a family-owned orchard in Vernon are leading two of 15 projects receiving more than $2.9 million to take innovative B.C. agriculture…

Justin Leonard - Jackie Leonard & Sons

“If it is a hard Brexit things will just come to a standstill"

The fresh produce trade is very slow in Dublin this week according to Justin Leonard from Jackie Leonard & Sons. “Trade is poor, the weather is very cold and everyone is…

California now a reliable year-round supplier of radicchio

More radicchio is becoming available from California each year as North American suppliers seek out year-round supply. Traditionally, radicchio supply - especially to the East Coast - was dominated by imports from Italy. But now, California growers have managed to extend production year-round. "We now have good year-round…

Consul General of Qatar Mishal M. Al Ansari:

"Qatar plans to recruit 100,000 Pakistani workers"

Consul General of Qatar in Karachi, Mishal M. Al Ansari, has said that his country is going to recruit 100,000 Pakistanis by issuing work visa in all sectors and fields soon.…

‘Product of The USA’ mushrooms are actually coming from China

Recent research by the Philadelphia Inquirer revealed that “Product of the USA” mushrooms are devastating American mushroom producers. American mushroom producers are in…

California Farm Bureau Federation report:

Water outlook in California improves after recent storms

In the US West Coast, storms during the first three weeks of January brought seasonal rainfall and snowpack levels to average or more, while also increasing reservoir levels and bringing cautious optimism to California farmers, who hope to see improved water supplies in the coming year. After seeing the Sierra Nevada…

USDA awards Agricultural Trade Promotion Program funding

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded $200 million to 57 organizations through the Agricultural Trade Promotion Program (ATP) to help U.S. farmers and ranchers identify and access new export markets. The ATP is one of three USDA…

New Zealand: HortNZ Vegetable Sector Scholarship applications are now open

Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) has a number of 2019 scholarships available for industry trainees and undergraduates and a number of these are specifically for those in the vegetable growing sector. Vegetables NZ strongly support this scholarship program and asks companies or staff that are interested to apply.…

"Israeli herbs remain in demand for chefs globally "

Even during the harsh winter days, the fresh cut herbs from Israel are in full supply and can certainly meet demands. They can be a fine substitute for the supply of herbs…

New nutrient management guidelines for vegetables

A new best practice manual developed in collaboration with Plant & Food Research, Vegetable Research & Innovation (VR&I) Board and the Fertiliser Association of…

Spain: Huelva's strawberry growers expect to harvest up to 400,000 tons

The strawberry harvest has started a month late, but with very positive prospects. Growers expect better figures than those of 2018, when the province already broke all…

The EC predicts slight slowdown in fresh tomato production and consumption

The European Commission expects the EU's fresh tomato production to fall. In 2018, the total volume stood at 6.9 million tons; a figure that is expected to drop to 6.7 million…

Shouguang

China: Production resumes in major vegetable supplier region

This Tuesday, the local agricultural department has stated that China's major vegetable producer, Shouguang city, has resumed production after last summer's typhoon, Rumbia. Among 106,700 greenhouses flooded by the typhoon in Shouguang, over 94 percent have been restored, and the remaining 5,981…

Morocco’s Minister of Agriculture Aziz Akhannouch

EU-Morocco deal to liberalize trade

According to Morocco’s Minister of Agriculture, Aziz Akhannouch, that the negotiations between Morocco and the EU included talks on protecting “solidarity farming” to improve…

New tools to manage Canada’s agricultural workforce

Canadian Member of Parliament for Mission–Matsqui–Fraser Canyon Jati Sidhu, on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lawrence MacAulay, announced an investment of up to $279,223 to the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC) to lead the International Phase of the Quality…

Russia: Turkish tomatoes are not in high demand at our retailers anymore

The Russian Vice Minister of Agriculture Cambulat Hatuov recently shared: “There is still demand for Turkish tomatoes in Russian supermarkets however it is considerably lower than it was in the past." The ban on Turkish imports has been lifted and the quota was set at 50,000 tons for tomatoes but the quota is still not…

A hard Brexit would cause 12,400 deaths

United Kingdom: Supermarkets and fast food chains fear a rise in prices due to the Brexit

The main supermarkets in the United Kingdom and fast food chains such as KFC and McDonald's warned on Monday that a drastic departure from the European Union (EU) on March 29 would cause a shortage of food and an increase in prices. In a letter to deputies in the House of Commons, Sainsbury's, Waitrose, Asda, Marks…

US: NIFA back in business after government shutdown

"NIFA is back and open for business!" With this enthusiastic statement, NIFA Director Dr. J. Scott Angle announces the return of the USDA agency. "We thank you for your…

Developments in Polish vegetable and fruit production

Whereas the Polish fresh fruit and vegetable market developed well in 2017, the estimates for the harvest of 2018 show some interesting developments. For different reasons, both the vegetable and fruit market faced a difficult year in 2018. The vegetable market saw a decrease in harvests due to drought,…

India: Kerala exporters seek government help in lifting Saudi ban

Exporters of fruits and vegetables from the Indian state of Kerala have appealed to the central government seeking help in Saudi Arabia lifting ban on imports of their fruits and vegetables. The ban was imposed by the Gulf state about eight months ago, due to the Nipah virus outbreak. “Farmers and exporters have incurred…

US broccoli market collapses

Up until recently, prices for broccoli had been relatively strong thanks to the extended period of lighter production. Prices in the past couple of weeks have eased back though, and have reduced substantially further since Monday. "Prices were in the double digits," Rosa explained. "Out of Santa Maria, Yuma, and other US domestic markets, FOB…

Mapping America’s biggest employers by state

In America, approximately 150 million people are currently employed, doing everything from neurosurgery to greeting customers at your local Walmart Supercenter. A few large-scale organizations stand out as the top employer in each state. The U.S. is the third most populous country in the world, so it takes a lot of manpower…

Irish Minister for the Environment Bruton:

"Huge improvement needed to cut Irish food waste by 50%"

The Irish Minister for the Environment has warned that a huge improvement is required in efforts to reduce food waste if Ireland is to meet its 2030 target to halve the €700 annual…

Economic impact on Mexico severe

In Guanajuato, 70% of gas stations have no fuel

According to authorities, almost three weeks after gasoline shortages began affecting Guanajuato, 70% of gas stations in the state have no fuel. Gas station closures have been reported in most parts of the state including the cities of Guanajuato, León and Irapuato as well as rural municipalities. Mauricio Usabiaga, Secretary…

Ukraine could export greenhouse tomatoes to the UAE and Saudi Arabia in summer

Ukraine currently exports hardly any vegetables to the countries of the Middle East, despite the fact that there are opportunities for this and the markets are extremely…

Alibaba's Jack Ma: "Technology could result in a new world war"

Alibaba founder Jack Ma has warned that technology could lead to a third world war. Wednesday he stated that history shows technological innovation is a primary factor behind…

Brexit:

Impending deadline means investment may not be enough says FTA

With less than two months until the UK’s scheduled departure from the EU, FTA has questioned whether the government’s projected spend of £29 million to implement Operation…

USDA statement

US: Government shutdown comes to an end

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue issued the following statement in response to President Donald J. Trump’s announcement of reopening the federal government: “President Trump’s announcement…

India: Coriander prices crash in wholesale market due to excessive supply

In India, coriander prices are witnessing a fluctuating trend in the wholesale market. Two weeks ago, several farmers in Pune district had earned hundreds of thousands of…

Turkey: Geothermally heated greenhouses to be built in three cities

Ali Kindap, head of the Geothermal Power Plant Investors Association (JESDER) announced that 165 hectares of greenhouse fields will be built in Manisa, Aydin and Denizli.…

Weekend rain had minimal impact on Florida growers

Central and southern parts of Florida experienced moderately heavy rainfall over the past weekend, with two inches or more of rain recorded in some parts of the state. For the most part, growers welcomed the rainfall, as there was little damage reported, except for some minor production delays due to the…

French farmers need government aid to survive Hard Brexit

Thierry Pouch, the director of the economic studies department at the French Chambers of Agriculture, claims that the French government will have to allocate financial aid to…

Iran: Export of greenhouse products hits $350m

Iran has exported over 950,000 tons of greenhouse products worth 350 million dollars since last March, the Managing Director of Iran's Agricultural Township Corporation said. Ali Ashraf Mansouri announced at a news conference that with greenhouse development and rise in production, the export value of greenhouse products was…

Ukraine and Israel to increase turnover by 15%

Due to a Free Trade Area agreement signed by Ukraine and Israel, these nations can increase their turnover by 15% during the next five years. Press service Ukrinform cited…

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