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Philippine government asked to temper rising prices of fertilizer

Senators are urging the Department of Agriculture of the Philippines (DA) to implement measures to address the rising prices of fertilizers and to boost local production. During the Senate budget deliberations yesterday, Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri told the DA to come up with an action plan on addressing the…

"The Australian protected cropping industry finds itself in an extremely exciting time"

The Australian protected cropping industry is at an extremely exciting point in its history, says Nicky Mann. As the chair of the board of Protected Cropping Australia and one of the Managers of Family Fresh Farms, she lives and breathes horticulture every day of her life. Over the last couple of years,…

Gabriel Rancourt/Medicago

Japan: Philip Morris-backed group to launch first plant-based Covid vaccine

A unit of a Japanese company backed by Philip Morris International is planning to launch the world’s first plant-based Covid-19 vaccine that is potentially cheaper and easier to transport and store than conventional jabs. Toshifumi Tada, head of vaccine business development at Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma,…

Growers invested in radio link internet because of poor connection

Cocktail tomato grower Erwin Theeuwen, from the Dutch municipality of Wellerlooi, suffered from slow internet and a poor connection for years. In 2017, he therefore decided to…

The EC Fruit and Vegetable Markets Observatory's tomato subgroup analyzes campaign

On Friday, October 22, the European Commission's Fruit and Vegetable Markets Observatory's tomato subgroup will meet online to analyze the estimates for the summer season and…

"Dutch bell pepper season had a memorable start, difficult middle, and even worse end"

The Dutch bell pepper season is almost over, and "we can gradually begin reflecting on its highs and lows," says Marco Bergman, a salesman at Harvest House. "Just like the previous season, this, too, is one to remember. It began very well, became very difficult, and ended even worse. It was a season in…

"An early and tasty cherry tomato variety for winter transplants"

Producing and offering high-quality varieties has always been Gautier Italia's motto, especially when it comes to the fresh tomato market in the cherry tomato segment. Tiburtyno F1 fits the spring market challenges                              As is well known, the most attractive varieties in spring markets are those with a bright dark red color and a relatively small size. Tiburtyno F1 is an example of such a tomato, in which these elements are complemented by…

"Egypt is interested in innovative soil research"

Innovative technology in the field of soil research can play a key role in developing the cultivation of fruits and vegetables in Egypt. Egypt is already a major exporter to the Middle East and Europe, and improving current agricultural and horticultural methods could further strengthen the country's…

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Food prices in Hungary to rise fast

In a recent interview, Attila Vörös, the president of FÉSZ, a major Hungarian alliance of food sector companies, has stated that the food processing industries in the country will soon be hit hard by the shockwave of surging energy prices. FÉSZ ('Alliance of Responsible Food Manufacturers') represents…

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Nigeria’s export market totters on infrastructure

Nigeria is losing competitive strength in local and international markets due to inadequate cold chain facilities. Stakeholders have expressed concerns over the shortage of facilities and manpower to enhance distribution and transportation of temperature-controlled products, Daniel Essiet reports in the…

"Satisfying redcurrant season and challenging blueberry one"

As the year draws to a close, Nijs van Zuilen, of Berrybrothers, looks back on the redcurrant, blueberry, raspberry, and blackberry seasons. Although, of course, they are also looking forward; for example, the cultivation company is currently focused on the development of an Agrohotel which will provide…

“UK cucumber season ends early with these gas prices”

Gas prices have risen so high that UK cucumber growers have decided to stop growing their current crops earlier and start planting the new ones later because the costs are simply too high. Joe Shepherdson, Secretary of the Cucumber Growers Association, hears how healthy crops are being pulled out and…

The 4 Covid-induced consumer shifts that changed our attitude to fresh produce

The Covid pandemic has triggered four shifts in consumer behavior in Europe which continue to influence the fruit and vegetable industry. It has resulted in more online shopping for fresh produce, but a continuation of that shift to healthier consumption patterns cannot be taken for granted 1. Shift from…

FAO / AMA

Asia produced approximately three-quarters of all vegetables

Global vegetable production amounted to around 1.1 billion tons in 2019, remaining comparatively unchanged from previous years. With a 79% share, the Asian region generated more than three-quarters of the global supply, AgrarMarkt Austria (AMA) reports in its comprehensive statistics report. World production…

How the UAE grew from 50 to 1000 hydroponic farms

Food insecurity is complex for the Middle East, with the region facing a number of threats to stability and progress. Tackling these daunting threats requires an overhaul of…

Need for refrigerated transport increasing in China

The second day of the Cool Logistics conference took place on Wednesday. The session Cool Ports and Cold stores: Integrated Perishable hubs of the future' was moderated by Steve Cameron, Principal, Cameron Maritime Resources. Johannes Nanninga, CEO and Owner, Guangzhou Port (Europe) BV, representing Port…

Spar Österreich

Organic turmeric from Styria

From now on, customers will find fresh organic turmeric from Styria directly on the shelves at SPAR, EUROSPAR, and INTERSPAR. In order for the tropical delicacy to be grown in our country, special care is required: turmeric requires temperatures between 20 and 30°C all year round, as well as sufficient moisture. The "Young Wild…

Spanish produce begins arriving at Dutch auction

This week, Spanish products will begin arriving from Murcia and Almeria at ZON to be auctioned. Zucchini, broccoli, and green beans are up first. The supply from Spain will…

Stock up to avoid delays

Over the past two years, the world has been changing thanks to the global pandemic. Everyone needed to make changes to their everyday lives to stay safe, including most of the businesses and…

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"US lettuce prices to stay elevated into late fall"

Lettuce prices are at their highs for the year as the growing season prepares to transition from California to Arizona, but with supply constraints expected, Gro forecasts lettuce prices will continue to climb, with pricing relief not likely to arrive until after the US Thanksgiving holiday.  Pricing pressure…

UK deal with New Zealand risks undercutting local farmers

Mark Tufnell, deputy president of the Country Land & Business Association (CLA) which represents 28,000 farmers, land managers, and rural businesses across England and Wales,…

WFP

Japan and WFP support public-private partnership for improved health and nutrition in Ghana

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) welcomes a contribution of JPY 499 million (USD 4.5 million) from the Government of Japan for a public-private partnership project which aims to make quality nutrition and health services available to 250,000 people in Ghana. In collaboration with the…

'Supporting local produce could offset UK’s post-Brexit food supply issues'

The UK has seen extraordinary demands on food supply chains over the last couple of years. Now, some sources claim that local suppliers and producers will play a key role in…

“Waste Not, Want Not” with launch of Re-purposeful Picks range

Australian food retailer Harris Farm Markets has announced the launch of Re-purposeful Picks, a product range made from upcycling perishable food items into quality products with longer shelf life. Harris Farm Markets is the first Australian major grocery retailer to release a product range of this…

“No more throwing away food in 2021!”

Les Jardins de la Méditerranée/Imagine 84 is an association created in 2008 by the French Ministry of Health as part of the operation “5 fruits and vegetables per day”. It recovers unsold fruit and vegetables in order to redistribute them to food aid recipients.  “The merchandise comes from the entire fruit…

Canarian tomato producers plan to start growing cannabis for therapeutic purposes

Submerged in the worst crisis in their 130 years of history, Canarian tomato producers are thinking about converting their crops to medicinal cannabis so they can mitigate the…

Which vegetable has the best benefit to cost ratio?

According to Jose Luis Guil, a professor of food technology at the University of Almeria that participated in the "Sustainable agriculture and healthy eating, looking to the…

New plant belonging to onion family discovered in India

Onion, garlic, chives and leeks: what do these vegetables have in common besides being delicious spices in the cuisine of several countries? The answer is simple: they are all plant species belonging to the same family (Liliaceae) and to the same genus (Allium). That family has gained a new member:…

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Turkmenistan doubled greenhouse tomato exports to Russia

According to EastFruit analysts, given a continuing decline in imports of greenhouse tomatoes to Russia in 2021, the aggressive expansion of Turkmenistan into this market became a sensation of the year. In the first eight months of 2021, Turkmenistan has already exported 32 thousand tons of greenhouse…

‘UK government should double seasonal workers scheme for 2022’

As worker shortages continue to frustrate fruit and vegetable growers, NFU officials are urging the UK government to immediately double its Seasonal Workers Pilot (SWP)…

USDA reapportions membership on the Florida Tomato Committee

Last Friday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a final rule that reapportions membership on the Florida Tomato Committee under the federal marketing order for…

SBMA

PHP 15 million worth of illegally shipped vegetables confiscated

Approximately PHP15 million (€255,000) worth of fresh vegetables illegally shipped from China were confiscated at Subic Freeport last Thursday. SBMA chairman and administrator Wilma Eisma said the shipment was initially flagged on October 13 by authorities for non-compliance with the approved sanitary…

Former owner of Florida produce business sentenced to prison for tax evasion

A Florida man was sentenced yesterday to 18 months in prison for tax evasion, at a proceeding in federal district court in Miami. According to court documents, Alejandro Gomez…

Lack of parking, fines for breaks and general circumstances turns drivers away from UK

Drivers and unions have warned that facilities and working conditions in the UK are inferior to those in Europe and that the UK’s supply chain crisis will not be eased until…

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Food prices in Turkey are rising fast

During the last couple of years, the increase in food prices is one of the most sensitive topics in Turkey's economic and political agenda. Since the beginning of last summer, the food prices were rising almost uncontrollably. According to official data, the price increase was 30%, but traders say that…

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Government project shuts down, mushroom farmers out of a job

Over 1,000 mushroom growers in Jashore, Bangladesh, have left farming after a government project facilitating mushroom farming was shut down, leaving many of them workless. The farmers are leaving the highly nutritious mushroom cultivation and moving to other professions due to financial loss. Mushroom…

GC Rost to acquire 25 ha Churilovo

LLC TTR Holding (part of GC Rost) has addressed the Federal Anti-Monopoly Service of the Russian Federation, soliciting a preliminary agreement on acquiring 99% of shares of the LLC Agricultural Complex Churilovo. According to  Kommersant, experts estimate the value of Chelyabinsk agricultural complex at €106.5…

Linde Gas NL

Providing carbon dioxide and oxygen to indoor farms and greenhouses

“Through our network of production sites and selected sources, we can guarantee a reliable and sustainable supply of carbon dioxide and oxygen,” says Peter Jansson, Head of Business Segment Food of Linde Europe North, an international industrial gases supplier. Linde’s gases are used across virtually all…

September marks break in European tomato market trend

The Netherlands lagged slightly behind other European countries in the 'tomato craze' in June, July, and August, but they made up for that in September, as the European Commission's tomato…

COSCO Shipping Lines launches express alternatives to US West Coast

COSCO Shipping Lines is launching Transpacific BCO Express Line this week. It encompasses the Prince Rupert express line (CEN-EXPRESS) and the Los Angeles express line…

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UK government to lift rules on foreign haulier deliveries

In a government attempt to tackle supply chain problems, the rules on the number of deliveries overseas lorry drivers can make in the UK are set to be relaxed. Under the new plans, drivers will be able to make unlimited deliveries or collections within a 14-day period. Up until now, EU drivers could only…

Maersk participates in food waste project with Wageningen University and customers

Every year, 13% of the global fresh produce is lost in the cold supply chain, between harvest and retailer. An accurate, real-time prediction of remaining shelf-life of a…

Qatar witnesses huge leaps in food self-sufficiency

In 2020-21, Qatar’s agricultural sector has taken clear steps towards achieving food security, increasing agricultural production, and the self-sufficiency rate of…

Spain: Almeria imported second most tomatoes in 2020/21 campaign

According to data prepared by Hortoinfo from the Estacom statistical service (Icex-Tax Agency), in the period between August 1, 2020, and July 31, 2021, Almeria was the…

‘Buy Australian Now’ supports local makers and growers

‘Buy Australian Now’, the latest campaign from Australian Made, is urging all Aussies to support local jobs and economic recovery by backing local makers and growers as the country begins to open up and prepare for the festive season. According to Australian Made Chief Executive, Ben Lazzaro, this…

Perhaps 500,000 shipping containers are waiting off Ports of LA & Long Beach

Cargo ships continue to arrive off the coast of Southern California, creating a huge shipping bottleneck that results in product prices going up, even though shelves remain…

France: New salad recipe from Florette

Florette Food Service is offering a new recipe of meal salads in its Kit 10 range: the southwestern salad. “A mix of green salad, potatoes, green beans, tomatoes, duck gizzards confit and croutons.” Developed by Florette Food Service and intended for restaurant professionals, “the Kit 10 meal salads present…

"I expect the high gas prices will deter Israel from sending huge bell pepper volumes"

It is almost time for the Israeli bell pepper season at Gilad Produce in the Netherlands (which also produces in Spain, Israel, and Mexico) which starts at the end of October/beginning November. In recent years, Israel has mostly focused its bell pepper exports on Russia and North America, and Gilad…

Tomato cultivation declines across Europe due to high costs and ToBRV

The situation for tomatoes has become so complicated that their production seems to be declining steadily. Rising energy and raw material costs, combined with the spread of ToBRV in several production areas, are leading to a sharp decline in tomato yields in Europe. "Despite the current difficulties, the…

USDA

Value of Texas pumpkin production surpassed all other states at $25.9 million in 2020

Pumpkin production is widely dispersed throughout the United States with crop conditions varying greatly by region. In 2017, about 40% of pumpkin acres were harvested in the top six pumpkin-producing states, measured by pumpkin weight (2017 U.S. Census of Agriculture, USDA, National Agricultural…

Brisbane Produce Market Mango Auction raises $1 million for charities

The annual Brisbane Produce Market Mango Auction has had another successful virtual event, raising more than $27,000 for children with cancer in September. The 2021 event…

Modern technology adoption hold the keys to future-proofing fresh produce industry

If a horticultural company is not embracing change on their farms, then there is no way they can improve, and are thus becoming stagnant or risking going backwards, according to a leading agriculture entrepreneur. Jack Milbank, CEO of Lexi Tech Pte Ltd (AgPro) says that even if a business is doing well,…

"Sales of first Canary Island tomatoes going smoothly, but a good year is desperately needed too"

Last week, the first round and plum tomatoes of the Canary Islands season arrived at Fortuna Frutos in the Netherlands. "The crop is perfect, so we can say this is a good start. We still have plenty of imported tomatoes, and a lot of the Dutch tomatoes are already finished. Customers are looking for problem-free import…

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Prices for cherry tomatoes in Uzbekistan hit record highs again

EastFruit analysts note record high prices for cherry tomatoes in Uzbekistan this season. Over the past two months, their average wholesale prices have doubled, and the current price levels are 7 times higher than in the same period in 2020. In mid-August, EastFruit wrote about a decrease in prices for…

'Spanish snake cucumbers took off massively'

Spanish snake cucumbers took off massively, taking the lead in the market. Dutch and domestic offers followed, and Belgian shipments completed the market. In Munich, there were also Greek lots from midweek onwards. The end of the season for Central European products is imminent. Volume-induced, their…

"We demand better from the Biden administration"

More than 65 United States-based growers and food and trade justice advocates have delivered a letter to the Biden administration urging the U.S. government to fundamentally…

Pinduoduo unveils agriculture initiative to support agricultural modernization and rural communities

Pinduoduo announced that it will launch a dedicated “10 Billion Agriculture Initiative” to face and address critical needs in the agricultural sector and rural areas. Profits from the second quarter and any potential profits in future quarters will be allocated to the Initiativem which will not be driven…

"Spanish tomato growers smell opportunity in the winter months as gas prices explode in the Netherlands"

The Spanish greenhouse vegetable season has restarted in Almeria. The high gas price that the Dutch growers are facing is an opportunity for the Spanish growers, according to Miguel Gonzalez of MG Fruit. "There is definitely talk about that. Especially the Dutch tomato crop under light was on the rise…

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NL: Sustainable food increasingly important for consumers

The latest Agrifood Monitor, which was presented today during the opening of Dutch Food Week, indicates that sustainability will be increasingly important for consumers. With regard to the food on their plate, people find fairness, animal welfare, environmental friendliness, and concepts such as…

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"Tighter EU import rules for Moroccan tomatoes won’t work miracles"

Morocco’s fresh tomato exports to the EU have steadily increased, leading the EU fresh tomato industry to repeatedly lobby for stricter import rules. Blocking Moroccan imports will only benefit leading export nations like Spain and the Netherlands to a limited extent. Investing in consistent quality,…

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UK: Production of tomatoes and cucumbers shut down due to rising energy prices and labor shortages

Soaring energy and labor costs threaten the UK’s food security, farmers have warned, as pressure on ministers grows to find an urgent resolution to a set of deepening crises facing British businesses and households. The National Farmers’ Union said British farms were in an “even more precarious position”…

Jordan resumes exports of vegetables to Israel

Jordan has resumed vegetable exports to Israel after a five-month hiatus. In a statement, the Jordanian Ministry of Agriculture said that the nation's agricultural exports to…

Container lines to make record profits at US $150 billion in 2021

Independent maritime research consultancy Drewry has revised its projections of profits by container lines. Profits are projected to reach an unheard-of high of US $150…

Pakistan vegetable exports see record increase of almost 83%

During the first two months of fiscal year 2021-2022, Pakistani vegetable exports grew by 82.88% percent compared to the exports of the same period last year. During the…

"Great demand for cress, wild herb salads and organic sprouts in hospitality industry"

Convenience products are more popular than ever. Particularly in the restaurant and hotel industry, which has been hit hard by Covid-19, there is a shortage of staff, which is why kitchens are increasingly turning to sliced or quick-to-prepare goods. Claus Lermer, managing director of Früchte Lermer Ltd…

The state of North American organic produce: a closer look at trends and issues

After years of slowing, the growth rate of retail organic food sales increased threefold in 2020 in the aftermath of the pandemic. However, it is expected to slow down once again but remain higher than the pre-pandemic rate. The impacts of the pandemic on retail prices, volumes, and premiums differed per…

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Vegetable inflation: prices for greenhouse vegetables in Ukraine could break records in 2022

EastFruit analysts draw attention to the threat of a sharp rise in prices for greenhouse vegetables in winter and spring 2022. At the same time, price levels may turn out to be too high for most Ukrainian consumers, who have already gotten used to eating fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers all year…

Sunswap to deploy a transport refrigeration unit into DFDS fleet

Engineering firm Sunswap has announced an agreement with international shipping and logistics company DFDS to deploy a Sunswap transport refrigeration unit (TRU) into their fleet in early 2022, following which an order for production units is expected to be confirmed. After a successful investment round…

Genome-edited tomato enters Japanese market

The 'Sicilian Rouge High GABA' is a unique tomato variety. This variety contains high levels of gamma aminobutyric acid, which is said to help people relax and can keep blood…

Second chance for fresh fruit and vegetables

Under the motto "SAVING THE GOOD", BILLA is expanding the offer of the popular fruit and vegetable boxes which are already offered at eight Styrian BILLA stores, the Rewe Group reports. This means that from now on, diverse fruit and vegetable boxes full of perfectly good fruit and vegetables are…

Spanish growers protest against Moroccan agricultural products

Spanish growers have been demanding that government officials "comply and control imports from third countries," including Morocco, based on agreements with the EU. The…

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Study analyzes top environmental job roles in UK’s horticulture

The UK government recently announced their plan to quadruple the number of ‘Green’ jobs by 2030. With the aim of steering those considering a job in this field, Bower Collective has conducted a study analyzing the topmost advertised ‘environmental’ job roles across 11 sectors. The ‘sustainable living’…

Spanish company grows specialty tomatoes and Chinese cabbage

The tomato season cannot seem to get going at Horticola Guadalfeo in Motril, Spain. "These are shortages everywhere," says Ellen van Kester. "We're transitioning from the mountain growing season to that on the coast. But there's hardly any volume available. That's for both the specialties and standard…

Tomatoes in your mascara? Researchers to look into that

Over the next four years, 17 partners from 11 European countries will be working on scientifically validated, safe, plant-based cosmetic ingredients. This Horizon2020 project…

First freight shipment to arrive on ‘Brexit buster’ Morocco to UK route

The Port of Poole, in Dorset, is anticipating its first delivery via a new direct shipping route from Tangier in Morocco. A shipment of 100 freights of organic seasonal fruit and vegetables is shortly scheduled northbound. The route will now run once per week and largely comprise the transportation of…

Urban revitalization: Making indoor farming accessible through lower upfront costs

The cost of indoor farming should not be taken lightly. Over the last few years, many indoor farms started up and have maintained growth successfully. Unfortunately, there is also the opposite end of the spectrum; some indoor farm owners have underestimated the capital expenditure as well as operational…

Kashmir farmers start indoor saffron cultivation

Have you ever thought of growing saffron at home? For the first time, local farmers of Pampore have started indoor saffron cultivation on an experimental basis. “I have planted 400 saffron seeds in small trays in a room, and the crop is expected to produce flowers by 20th October. A team of experts has…

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India: Hydroponics for sustainable living

As part of Green Action Week (GAW), taking place annually in the first week of October as part of a global campaign to promote sustainable consumption, the Madurai chapter focused on hydroponics to showcase its nature conservation activity in 2021. The GAW campaign, an initiative of the Swedish Society…

US organic produce sales still going strong

US organic produce sales continued strongly in quarter two of 2021. According to a report from the Organic Produce Network, they confidently overcame the reopening of…

Nutrition Australia promotes vegetable consumption

Recent surveys show that only 7% of adults and 5% of children eat the recommended amount of vegetables each day. That is why Nutrition Australia encourages Australians to…

New $14.1M program to support Australian growers

Vegetable growers across Australia are set to benefit from the next generation of a national extension program aimed to boost productivity and deliver the latest research and…

Minister Shaw promises millions of dollars in agri investments

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Audley Shaw has announced millions of dollars in investments to be infused into the agricultural sector. Among these will be a US $95m…

"When the tulips of Holland meet the wine of Lanling, there is bound to be a story"

Recently, New Green has cooperated with Tencent Cloud and other international horticultural industry suppliers to improve the entire industry chain system and achieve a closed-loop from seedling to marketing. Their aim was to gradually form an industrial chain layout system with industrialized thinking,…

Freight rates up more than 90% in one year

According to the Xeneta Shipping Index, there has been another monthly hike in long-term ocean freight rates, with global container prices rising by 3.2% in September, meaning…

Serbian blueberry production and export on the rise

Blueberry plantations in Serbia have seen explosive growth in the past five years, and have reached 2,500 hectares in acreage, producing more than 6,000 tons of produce, and the acreage is still rapidly growing. Blueberry plantations are large and use the latest technology and practices in both…

Moroccan exporters claim visas decision in France threatens sector

Officials from Moroccan Association of Exporters ASMEX have warned that France's decision to halve the number of visas issued to Moroccans could significantly affect the…

Sealink is planning a maritime service to transport vegetables between Almeria and the United Kingdom

Jesus Caicedo, the president of Almeria's Port Authority (APA), attended the Fruit Attraction fair and held a working meeting with representatives of the Almeria consignee J.…

Russian Federation sees tomato prices double over past year

The limited supply of greenhouse tomatoes on the Russian market has made it possible for local growers to raise their prices. In fact, the prices for greenhouse tomatoes in…

Russian berry production: industry problems and prospects in 2021

This year’s berry harvest in Russia was expected to increase significantly compared to last season. At the same time, however, according to experts, the expectations are unlikely to be met. The reason is simple - the shortage of personnel. Before, it was migrant workers who harvested crops in the open…

"Don’t blame the industry, Boris, what we need is your support"

An Andrew Marr interview with Boris Johnson, aired on Sunday, 3 October, revealed a prime minister who Nigel Jenney, chief executive of the UK’s Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC) says “has fundamentally failed to understand the importance of our normally seamless food supply chain.” When questioned about…

EU increases aid for fruit and vegetable sector

The European Commission announced that it will increase its aid to fruit and vegetable producers and wine growers impacted by the frost, floods, and heatwaves. This aid is…

China: Heavy rains lead to highest reduction in pepper production in recent years

Henan, the main producing area of peppers, saw heavy rainfall in June, the early transplanting stage, which resulted in the seedlings in low-lying areas being drowned. Then,…

Potential drivers show interest as UK haulage firm offers free HGV training

As Brexit forced thousands of European drivers to leave the country, and Covid got in the way of around 30,000 tests for potential new drivers last year, organizations such as…

New Zealand: Demand for Asian vegetables up by 400 percent

Company director Jay Clarke from Woodhaven Gardens has been growing Shanghai bok choi, pak choi, wombok or chinese cabbage, saigon turnip, and coriander for about 20 years…

Unsplash

Does hydroponics have the potential to become mainstream in India?

Hydroponics is still not a widely-practiced technique in India, owing to the traditional nature of farming, high-initial set-up cost, lack of technical know-how, lack of awareness, and the complexity of the technology. However, the most crucial inhibiting factor is the mindset.   “Farmers believe that some staple…

China: Power cuts may disturb US$120 billion of trade flow

Power shortages that have gripped parts of China result in the delay of US $120 billion of trade flows. Some of China’s key ports, including Ningbo, Guangzhou, Yantian, and…

"Prices for soft fruit are higher than ever before"

While the gaze of many blueberry traders and producers is directed at Chile, Spain, and especially Peru, an increasingly attractive market is developing in Serbia. Thus, it is not only the European neighbors but also overseas traders who are showing interest in Serbian production, Anneliese Vollweiler of…

There is only one direction for blueberry consumption: up

Global fresh blueberry exports are likely to expand steadily during the next few years, as growing regions continue to diversify around the globe. Companies are pushed to be more productive and more efficient and to consistently provide high-quality fruit. Improved cultivars will play an increasingly…

Iranian greenhouse produce and export growing steadily

Mohammad Mehdi Boroumandi, Deputy Minister of Horticulture of the Ministry of Jihad-Agriculture, stated that "until 2013, we had 8,000 hectares of greenhouses in the country, but today the level of greenhouses in the country has increased to 23,117 hectares and by the end of 2021, it will exceed 25,000…

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Kenya eyes UAE to boost horticulture exports

Kenya is targeting to boost its overall horticulture exports through increased exports to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the industry said on Thursday. Ojepat Okisegere, CEO of Fresh Produce Consortium Kenya told journalists in Nairobi that the bulk of the country’s fresh produce is absorbed by the…

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New step taken in US debate over hydroponics "organic" labeling

Today, the Center for Food Safety (CFS), representing a broad coalition of organic farmers, certifiers, and organic nonprofits, filed their opening brief with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, seeking reversal of a district court's ruling issued in March that authorizes the U.S. Department of…

"Retailers would love to offer Dutch strawberries year-round"

The greenhouse strawberry season is in full swing at Dutch Berries in the Netherlands. "We're well into it; all our greenhouses are in production," says Boudewijn van der Wal. "The strawberries look good. We had a quiet planting season. But the warm nights have moved things along. The markets seem to be…

How self-sufficient is the UK, fruit and vegetable-wise?

The United Kingdom relies heavily on vegetable, and especially fruit, imports. They grow just over half their own vegetables. There were fewer imports in 2020, but production remained the same. The UK's vegetable self-sufficiency rate, therefore, increased. It rose by about three percent to 56%. That…

UAE: 29mln worth of local fresh products sold since beginning of 2021

Union Coop, the largest consumer in the UAE, revealed the volume of its sales of local irganic and hydroponic fresh vegetables and fruits, amounting to more than AED 29 million since the beginning of the year 2021, noting that supporting and encouraging local agriculture comes at the top of its…

Tons of tomatoes left to rot due to lack of buyers

Tons of ripe tomatoes harvested around the town of Tinoc in Ifugao province were dumped due to a lack of buyers. Dr. Domingo Mariano, a Tinoc municipal agriculturist, said the…

Réunion: Tomato producers working at a loss

Another hard blow for Réunion growers after the sanitary crisis: tomato prices are dropping sharply, a considerable loss for producers who have invested upstream. Tomato…

'Regarding beef tomatoes, Belgian deliveries significantly outnumbered Dutch'

TOV offers came primarily from the Netherlands and Belgium. Items from Germany, Croatia, and Turkey complemented the action. Polish fruit appeared exclusively in Berlin. In the case of beef tomatoes, Belgian deliveries clearly outnumbered those from the Netherlands. On the other hand, cherry tomatoes…

"Dutch products' quality still good"

"We're approaching the end of September. But, there are still plenty of Dutch products being traded. Bell peppers' quality is good. There's little to complain about,…

Pune tomato prices at six-month high

Just weeks after farmers dumped their tomatoes due to unfavorable pricing, the cost of the product has again increased in wholesale and retail markets in the district. In…

Philippines: Government to help transport & sell tomatoes from Cordillera

The Department of Agriculture of the Philippines will coordinate with local governments in the Cordillera Administrative Region to help transport and market the tomatoes of…

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European Union and Morocco to renegotiate over imports from Western Sahara

The European Court of Justice yesterday ruled that the European Union must re-examine trade agreements made with Morocco and now include Western Sahara. It is now unclear whether, for example, tomatoes from Morocco were grown in Western Sahara. The ruling follows an appeal by the independence…

"Fruits and vegetables are the drivers par excellence for e-commerce"

At this year's German Fruit and Vegetable Congress, Sabine Dziallas presented the latest NielsenIQ study results. According to NielsenIQ, there had been an increasing demand for food but a declining shopping frequency. Compared to 2019, sales growth "exploded", particularly due to the hoarding of…

"Dutch supply makes first Spanish vegetables sales tough"

The first new Spanish greenhouse vegetables are arriving on the Dutch market, but there are no eager buyers yet, according to 4Fruit Company's Pieter de Ruiter. "The Netherlands still has plenty of product, and in Spain production is getting well underway. That is thanks to the beautiful, dry weather…

European Council adopts €5 billion Brexit adjustment reserve

The Council today gave its final approval to a fund designed to help member states tackle the negative impact of Brexit. The fund of five billion euros (in 2018 prices) will…

Swiss Parliament wants to promote local fruits and vegetables

The Swiss parliament wants the federal government to promote the consumption of locally grown vegetables and fruits. Following the National Council, the Council of States also…

Raspberries gaining popularity in the Netherlands

Dutch consumers have grown to love blueberries. Now, raspberries and blackberries are gaining popularity. Compared to blueberries, raspberries and especially blackberries are a modest product. Raspberry production in the Netherlands is of moderate size. In 2020, less - 3,600 tons - was harvested than…

Canada announces details for fall 2020 import requirements for US romaine lettuce

On September 13, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) released details for the reimplementation of additional import requirements pertaining to romaine lettuce and…

Authorities in the Region of Murcia detected the first case of ToBRFV in Spain since 2019

The Plant Health Service of the Region of Murcia reported that a case of rough tomato virus (ToBRFV) was detected in isolated tomato plants in a greenhouse in Cañada de…

Geoff Forester / Monitor Staff

"Loudon greenhouse expansion is part of a big trend to grow indoors"

There’s nothing new about growing produce for New England markets inside a big greenhouse, but the huge expansion coming to Loudon’s high-tech hydroponic operation reflects not only the industry’s growth but also this unavoidable fact: California is a long way away. “New England is the largest market for…

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Trubichino greenhouse to optimize production flow

Greenhouse complex Trubichino will take part in the national Labor Productivity project under the supervision of the Regional Center for Competence of the Novgorod region in Northwest Russia.  A working group comprising the representatives of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the region as well as of Novgorod…

“Until the technology matures, greenhouses are not within reach of Indian farmer"

Horticulture is on the rise in India. So is greenhouse farming. Cut flowers have been grown under polyhouses since the 1990s, but greenhouse vegetable production has been on the rise recently. "The demand for locally grown crops is increasing enormously. The Indian population is growing, the average…

Philippine government looks into unsold tomatoes in the Ifugao province

The Department of Agriculture (DA) of the Philippines addresses concern regarding the unsold tomatoes in Tinoc, in the province of Ifugao. According to Ifugao provincial agriculturist, Dr. Domingo Mariano, the tomatoes cultivated by farmer Enza Aguinao were unsold because of the non-arrival of buyers…

Butte county farmers dealing with expensive permits to get tunnel

Some Butte County farmers are having a tough time getting permits for structures that can make a big difference in growing their crops. One of those farmers is named Amelia Waldron. Waldron can sometimes be found around the chickens, pigs, and sprouting vegetables. "We do a lot of lettuce," Waldron…

chrobinson.com

With the truck driver shortage, how many more drivers will be enough?

How many more truck drivers are needed to balance the demand for truck transportation with the supply of capacity? My answer to this question for shippers procuring long-distance (outside of a given metropolitan area) dry van transportation, for both truckload and less than truckload (LTL), is that…

Gulf Times

Qatar pursuing ambitious policy to promote local agricultural products

The Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME) has affirmed that Qatar is pursuing an ambitious policy to promote local agricultural products, adding that the structural changes in the farming sector are in line with the strategic objectives of the development plans. In a speech to mark Arab…

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How much has been invested into these companies yet?

As of late August 2021, $5.6 billion of venture capital had been invested into startups in agtech, a sweeping industry vertical that consists of more than 6,000 companies. Within that broader vertical, there are sub-categories of agtech and indoor farming.  Note that clicking on a company or investor name…

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UK Tomato sales boomed during COVID

The effect of the pandemic has been felt in the UK tomato market, as it has in many others, but in a positive rather than a negative way. Over the last year, the tomato market has increased by 2.1% in value, as well as 4.5% in volume. According to Rikesh Panchmatia of data analytics and brand consulting company…

‘Scottish soft fruit sector should be compensated by UK government’

According to claims by the Scottish government, the UK government should compensate soft fruit farmers facing financial problems as a result of labor shortages. These…