Miguel López, of Costa de Níjar: "We have lost 50% of the eggplant production"

1,000 hectares of greenhouses affected by hail in Almeria

The Spanish horticultural region Almería has been hit by severe hail storms. First estimates say 1,000 hectares of greenhouses were affected, of what 10 to 200 per cent is completely demolished. One person has died after becoming trapped inside his greenhouse during the hail storm. First a flood"First a flood…

"Strawberries will enter peak sales season after Chinese Spring Festival"

"Our strawberry production volume increased by 20% in comparison with last season, because weather conditions were quite stable. Apart from the weather, the overall surface area devoted to strawberry plantation expanded and the level of plantation management improved. These factors also contributed to…

French protesters cut power to largest produce market in the world

Last week, French union CGT-Énergie informed its members about the ongoing strikes and demonstrations against president Emmanuel Macron's proposed changes to the country's pension system. Protests are continuing this week, and true to its word, they have. On Tuesday, energy workers represented by…

Withdrawal Agreement Act signed off by the Queen

Brexit deal becomes UK law

Boris Johnson's Brexit deal has officially become UK law, paving the way for the country to leave the EU next week. The prime minister's Withdrawal Agreement Act was signed off by the Queen on Thursday after completing its journey through parliament. Commons deputy speaker Nigel Evans announced the news to MPs on Thursday…

US: Large-scale and non-family farms dominate production of high value crops

The more than 2 million farms in the U.S. vary greatly in size and characteristics. For example, annual gross revenue can range from as little as $1,000 to more than $5 million. USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) recently released its widely used annual report that describes characteristics of…

Companies in Ghana organize greenhouse open day

The Management of Ardhi Investment Group, an agribusiness start-up, has organized a greenhouse open day with a call on agribusiness entrepreneurs to explore efficient agricultural value chain development technologies and practices to ensure food security. The open day, held in collaboration with partners…

German herb grower achieving larger, higher-quality yields with LED

Fluence is expanding its presence in the Emsland region of Germany through partnerships with growers and other horticulture specialists operating out of Papenburg. Elektro Evers, an engineering firm specializing in greenhouse technology, is Fluence’s exclusive systems integrator in the Papenburg region.…

Iran launches production of vegetable seeds

Iran has launched the production of vegetable seeds, according to the Agriculture Ministry’s caretaker, Abbas Keshavarz. Keshavarz noted that 29 million tons of different…

Nuffield International welcomes Bayer as Global Strategic Partner

Nuffield International Farming Scholars announces its newest Global Strategic Partner, Bayer. As a Global Strategic Partner, Bayer supports the work done by Nuffield…

Delays in the vegetable harvest and severe impact on citrus crops

Storm Gloria causes major damage to Murcian and Valencian agriculture

Many vegetable fields in the Spanish Region of Murcia have been flooded after more than two days of intense rainfall. Photo: Proexport The abundant water covering part of the leafy vegetable crops, as well as the broccoli, cauliflower and artichoke fields, is making it difficult to carry out the…

Spanish cucumbers manage to leave price crisis behind

The long cucumber, also called Dutch or Almeria cucumber, has been one of the products yielding the lowest profitability in the first four months of the current greenhouse vegetable campaign in Andalusia, with average prices amounting to around 0.39 Euro per kilo in Almería and Costa de Granada. This…

Italy to invest over €4 million in Egypt’s tomato project

The Italian Development Cooperation disclosed plans to contribute over €4.55 million to two United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) projects in Egypt and…

Turkmenistan exported agricultural products worth over $25 million to CIS countries in 2019

Last year, agricultural producers in Turkmenistan had a good harvest of melons, fruits and vegetables and legumes. The private sector played a significant role in…

Vietnam aims at US$ 5 billion in fruit & vegetable exports in 2020

According to a spokesperson from the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association (VINAFRUIT), the fruit and vegetable sector aims to gross $5 billion from exports this year on the…

Micronesian greenhouse production gets funding boost from Australia

The Australian Embassy congratulates College of Micronesia Centre for Entrepreneurship (CoE) - Hydroponic Greenhouse Expansion Project, a recent grant recipient of the Direct Aid Program (DAP). Second Secretary and Consul Takuro Steele presented a $20,000.00 cheque to the Centre’s Executive Director,…

Agri Dashboard tomatoes

Average weighted prices for Italian tomatoes still below 5-year average

In the first half of the first month of 2020, average weighted prices for tomatoes in the EU (at €99,- per 100 kgs) are about €21 lower year-on-year, and about €16 below the 5-year average. Click here for a larger image. Average weighted prices for tomatoes in Italy are at €119,- per 100 kgs, compared to…

REO Veiling sells first cucumbers of the season

On Friday 17 January, the first cucumbers of the new growing season were sold by REO Veiling. With the sale of the first cucumbers, the new growing season has now completely kicked off. The product will remain available at the REO Veiling until the beginning of November. Grower Jasper Haghedooren…

Henk van Doorne, Van Doorne Imex:

"In the Netherlands, things seem to get more difficult every year for lettuce"

"A wily crop," is how grower/trader Henk van Doorne describes Dutch greenhouse lettuce cultivation. "It seems as if things get a little more difficult every year. I do not…

Russia blocks 211 tons of Moroccan tomatoes following discovery of tomato moth

Phytosanitary officers at the Saint Petersburg port refused entry for the tomatoes after the discovery of a dangerous insect. Russian phytosanitary officers at Saint Petersburg port blocked 211 tonnes of infected Moroccan tomatoes from import into the country in 2019. The tomatoes had to be disinfected…

Size of tomatoes from Yunnan this year smaller

In the winter, tomatoes are not only a key commodity in the market but also one of the purchasers’ favorites. In China, tomatoes with their red color, are associated with good…

British trade delegation examines agri-tech opportunities in India

CHAP Business Development Manager Chris Delf recently took part in a trade mission to India, organised by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the British High Commission in Delhi. The week-long visit was intended to scope out opportunities for collaboration in the agri-tech and other areas. This was a broad remit and Chris, along with…

Challenges of commercial aquaponics in Europe: Beyond the hype

In recent years, aquaponics has been receiving increased interest globally as a commercial food production technology and aquaponics start-up companies have been formed in most European countries. Between 2014 and 2018, the European-funded COST Action FA1305 “The EU Aquaponics Hub-Realising Sustainable…

Average size of a farm has grown and Israel still supplies most of its needs for fresh farm products

Number of Israeli farms dropped 61% over four decades

Israel is still supplying most of its own fresh produce, meat, chicken and milk, but the number of farms in the country plunged by 61% between 1981 and 2017, according to the first census of the industry taken by the Central Bureau of Statistics in four decades. The drop in the number of farms, however,…

Russia: Acreage of Stavropol greenhouses to reach 294 ha by 2021

New investment projects on greenhouse construction will allow an increase of the greenhouse acreage in Stavropol region by 50% by 2021. It is planned that the greenhouse acreage should increase from 198 to 294 ha, mentioned the press service representatives of the regional Ministry of Agriculture. “By…

export greenhouse materials increasingly international

The Netherlands: Less but more expensive greenhouse vegetable export in 2019

In 2019, the Netherlands achieved the highest export value for vegetables ever. The value of the export of greenhouse and open field vegetables in 2019 amounted to 7.3 billion…

"Trade deals to dictate success of new Agriculture Bill"

Organic Farmers & Growers (OF&G), the largest certifier of UK organic land has reacted to the new Agriculture Bill introduced to Parliament on 16 January 2020. OF&G welcomes the direction of the legislation prioritising environmental enhancement but warns the prospect of trading arrangements allowing…

Daily hours spent with digital media per adult user in the United States

Let's unplug. ...After you've read all our articles.

Michel Martinez, Saint Charles Primeurs:

“Good trend for Spanish vegetables”

“The situation on the market is very good for Spanish vegetables,” reports Michel Martinez, sales manager at Saint Charles Primeurs. “Right now, zucchinis, cucumbers and eggplants are the products we sell the most, at high prices.” According to Michel, this trend is normal for the month of January. “It…

USDA Report:

National Retail Report: apples and bell peppers at the top

This week's ads were enough to put shoppers in a good mood despite the cold. Florida strawberries appeared, and with them the first Valentines Day ads. Roses, tulips, and the first daffodils added to the air of romance and offered a tiny hint of spring. With Lunar New Year just over a week way, colorful…

Jordanian vegetable growers increase sustainable production

In Jordan vegetables are grown in plastic tunnel greenhouses. A cheap solution. But the production per square meter is low, certainly when water consumption is taken into consideration. And Jordan has a shortage of water. The Greenhouse Horticulture Business Unit at Wageningen University & Research…

Berlin Agriculture Ministers' Conference wants to strengthen rule-based free trade

Julia Klöckner, Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture, welcomed 71 colleagues from all over the world and representatives of twelve international organisations to Berlin – to the Agriculture Ministers’ Conference during the ministry's Global Forum for Food and Agriculture entitled “Food for all! Trade…

Cultiv@te - Innovation for sustainable agriculture

The UNDP Global Centre for Innovation, Technology and Sustainable Development, in partnership with the government of Singapore – invites corporate partners to join the new initiative Cultiv@te to create opportunities in urban and rainfed agriculture, as well as livestock farming and aquaculture, in Asia,…

Iran, FAO launch joint program to help Afghan refugees

Iran’s Bureau of Aliens and Foreign Immigrants’ Affairs, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and World Food Programme established a greenhouse in Semnan province, located around 220 km east of capital Tehran, to help Afghan refugees. Financially and technically supported by…

Australia: Bushfire smoke haze results in late tomato season

It is a longer-than-usual wait for tomatoes in the Meander Valley, caused by the recent smoke haze and resulting cooler temperatures. Selbourne farmer Annette Reed of Tasmanian Natural Garlic and Tomatoes said a large amount of fruit appeared on their vines early in the season but was now taking longer…

Asaja, COAG and UPA announce new protests across Spain

The Spanish agricultural organizations Asaja, COAG and UPA have released a joint statement announcing a series of demonstrations across Spain. To safeguard the future of agricultural growers and cattle farmers, they want to give a clear signal to the various authorities and other players in the agro-food…

Afghanistan sees 'unprecedented increase' in vegetable crops

The statistic department of Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock of Afghanistan reported that there is a remarkable increase in vegetable crops in 1398. Vegetables such as potato, onion, carrot, tomato, pepper, okra, cucumber, cauliflower, pumpkin, and eggplant are the top vegetables in…

visit to Tomatoworld to learn from the Dutch

Japan to fund millions into modernizing horticulture

On Thursday January 16th, Tomatoworld received the Japanese ambassador Hidehisa Horinouchi together with members of the Japanese House of Councillors and the Ministry of Agriculture. They are engaged in the revitalization of agriculture and horticulture in Japan and the reconstruction of northeastern…

US (FL): Strawberry grower faces labor shortage

Gary Wishnatzki and his family-owned berry farm have made a home in Plant City since 1922, growing all kinds of berries year-round. But for the past 20 years, Wish Farms has faced a dilemma that could have major effects on future strawberry sales, and the amount shoppers shell out for produce. The manual…

High tunnel research increases profits for New York growers

According to the latest Census of Agriculture, there are nearly 8,000 U.S. farms growing tomatoes in protected settings including greenhouses or high tunnels with a total value of $419 million. How does New York rank? #2 in the U.S. for number of farms growing in protected settings with a total of 489 farms…

Piet Meerkerk, Angus soft fruits Europe:

"Too few raspberries, too many blueberries, and a calm strawberry market in the Netherlands"

Blueberries sales are difficult in the Netherlands at the moment. "In the sense of there being huge volumes, with sales not yet in balance," says Piet Meerkerk of the Dutch company, AngusSoft Fruits Europe. "There are a lot of blueberries available, mostly from Chile and Peru." "Prices are low. They have…

Ecophyto: farmers are confused and ask for a review of the indicators

Elisabeth Borne, Minister for the Ecological and Inclusive Transition, Agnès Buzyn, Minister for Solidarity and Health, Frédérique Vidal, Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, and Didier Guillaume, Minister of Agriculture and Food, presented on January 8th, to the Strategic Orientation…

Clip from Zambia goes viral

Elephant clambering over a wall to find mangoes

An unusually agile elephant was caught on camera while clambering over a five-foot wall in an attempt to steal mangoes from the Mfuwe guest house in Zambia. This happened in South Luangwa National Park in Zambia on Saturday. Ian Salisbury, general manager of the lodge caught whilst the giant was finding…

US: Newly updated Farmers’ Guide to the Value-Added Producer Grant Program published

In conjunction with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s recent announcement of at least $37 million in available grant support via the Value Added Producer Grant (VAPG)…

Liu He: "Agreement is rooted in equality and mutual respect"

US and China sign deal to ease trade war

The US and China have signed an agreement aimed at easing the trade war that weighed heavy on the global economy. Speaking in Washington, US President Donald Trump said the pact would be "transformative" for the US economy. Chinese leaders meanwhile called it a "win-win" deal that would help foster…

Iran: Aras FTZ greenhouse exports at $31m in 9 months

More than 15,500 tons of greenhouse products worth $31 million were exported from Aras Free Zone in West Azarbaijan Province during the first nine months of the current Iranian year (March 21-Dec. 21). “During the nine months, 18,000 tons of greenhouse products were produced from 106 hectares of…

Ellen van Kester (Horticola Guadalfeo) about new Maximo tomato:

"Besides blue and greenish-pink, we now have brownish-black tomatoes in our range"

Until Christmas, the Spanish greenhouse vegetable season appeared to be progressing normally. This is according to Ellen van Kester of Horticola Guadalfeo from Motril, Spain. "There were no large surpluses or shortages, and prices were reasonable. However, right before Christmas, production increased…

US (MN): Greenhouse industry contributes to Owatonna development boom

On Nov. 5, the voters of Owatonna approved a $104 million bond issue to construct a new high school. For this southern Minnesota city, the vote signifies something more than an up-to-date school building. It also represents a major investment in their community’s economic future. Bushel Boy Farms, whose…

Jim Westhoff, Valstar:

"Greenhouse vegetable market stable at too low a level for weeks"

The day trade in greenhouse vegetables has been going very smoothly over the last few weeks. "The hope is now mainly focused on the lower temperatures, causing production to decline and there would normally be higher prices in January and February, but for the time being it is calm and prices across the…

Olivier Barlaguet, Saveurs des Clos:

“The French lettuce production continues to decline”

As for the previous season, this year seems to be a good year for lettuce producers. “There is a very good flow for all species: lettuce, batavia, oak leaves but also chicory (curly/escarole),” explains Olivier Barlaguet of the cooperative group Saveurs des Clos. “Prices have been good since November.…

Sales of fresh fruit and vegetables are rising

The Dutch embrace sliced vegetables and fresh packages

During 2019, the Dutch bought 2 percent more fresh fruit and vegetables. This growth is mainly driven by sliced fresh vegetables and fresh packages. Especially the fresh food…

"Australian blueberry growers continue to miss out by not having market access to China"

The announcement overnight of a trade agreement between China and the U.S. in which China has agreed to finalize phytosanitary protocols for U.S. blueberries, highlights how…

US, China sign trade deal

The United States and China have reached an agreement on a Phase One trade deal that requires structural reforms and other changes to China’s economic and trade regime in the areas of intellectual property, technology transfer, agriculture, financial services, and currency and foreign exchange, according to the USDA. The Phase…

Iran: Pars province ranks first in Iran in terms of tomato production

This week, Director of the Pars Agricultural Department, Mohammad, Mehdi Ghasemi, announced that the province of Pars ranks second in Iran with about 10 percent share of…

Dutch Sustainability Group to help UAE achieve its Sustainability Goals

The newly formed Dutch Sustainability Group (DSG) signed a Memorandum of Understanding Tuesday to jointly help the UAE achieve its Sustainable Development Goals. The Memorandum was signed at the backdrop of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) in the presence of His Excellency Dr. Thani Ahmed Al…

Training over 100,000 farmers in Africa by 2022

East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer (EWS-KT) aims to directly train over 50,000 farmers in Africa in 2020 - with that target set to more than double by 2022. EWS-KT, which equips smallholder farmers with the information and skills needed to maximize their yields is already established in Nigeria, Tanzania and…

"Knowledge required to solve empty greenhouses"

Empty greenhouses in India are looking for Dutch growers

India is an upcoming horticulture country. One of the regions where cultivation has taken place since ages, is Goa, a state on the west coast of the country with more than a…

CAN (ON): Unprecedented greenhouse growth shows no signs of slowing down

After an unusual slowdown, hundreds of acres of vegetable greenhouses with a construction value of up to $420 million are expected to be added this year and next in the Leamington area. By the numbers, Leamington and Kingsville had permits with a construction value of more than $183 million issued in…

Ghana to boost vegetable and cut flower business with greenhouses

The government of Ghana has started constructing greenhouses to start the development of vegetable seeds to help boost the country’s vegetable and cut flower production sector. Three of the greenhouses are at various levels of completion, with the first one located at Akumadan in the Offinso North…

Canada import regulations for horticultural products updated

In Canada, current legal requirements come into effect from January 2020 with regulations for, among other things, permits, preventive controls and traceability requirements for horticultural products. The labeling and packaging are also discussed and the detailed requirements they must meet. The USDA has…

Channel hosts e-shops from 832 poor counties across China

E-commerce companies lend a helping hand to farmers

Chinese e-commerce sites are rolling up their sleeves to help farmers sell their agricultural products. This seems to be a combination of philanthropy and business that contributes to the nationwide eradication of poverty by the end of the year. Alibaba Group Holding Ltd is scheduled to launch its annual…

Turkmenistan increases production of fruit and vegetables

Last year, agricultural producers in Turkmenistan harvested a rich yield of cucurbitaceous crops, fruits, vegetables and leguminous crops. The private sector has played an important role in strengthening the potential of agriculture and in the realization of the Government programmes of import…

2019-2020 Australian bush fires tracked via satellite

Bush fires are sweeping through Australia. This video shows the devastating effects of these fires in December 2019 / January 2020. About 270.000 hectares (2,700 km2) have been destroyed in the Kanagra-Boyd National Park and surrounding areas. This is the same size as Hong Kong or Luxemburg. Photos from…

Overall vegetable prices in China lower than last year

Southern China is experiencing an exceptionally mild winter. In mid-December 2019, the temperature rose to 20° C, breaking the historical record, and again in early January…

US: $192 million in food and agriculture research funding now available

The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) is the largest federal agricultural research competitive grant program. In May 2019, AFRI released its fiscal year (FY) 2020 Request for Applications (RFA) for its Foundational and Applied Science Program, which was recently updated and re-released by…

App has already saved 28.6 million meals in Europe

Danish company ‘Too Good To Go’ to fight against food waste in the US

The Copenhagen-based company Too Good To Go, which connects users of its app with restaurants and shops that sell unsold food for a third of the price, is understood to be ready to expand into the US. The Danish company has been on a four-year mission to stamp out food waste in Europe, but now it wants…

A modern history of Nuffield Australia

The modern era of Nuffield Australia has been a time of great change. It has seen the organisation gain independence, corporatize its structure and provide unparalleled global…

European consumers prefer smaller tomato varieties

The European Commission has just presented its forecasts for the next ten years in the area of fruit and vegetable production and marketing, focusing on three groups of products: peaches and nectarines, apples and tomatoes. When it comes to tomatoes, Brussels analysts say that the European production…

Agricultural damages in Israel reached US$77 mln in 2019

Israeli agricultural damages totalled 265 million new shekels (77 million US dollars) in 2019, according to a government report that was published last Wednesday. The average annual damage over the last five years (2015-2019) has increased by 45.5 per cent compared to 2010-2014, said the report. Thus,…

Support available for farmers South Yorkshire, Gloucestershire and Midlands

UK: Farming Recovery Fund for flood-affected farmers open for applications

The Farming Recovery Fund is a £2 million fund to support farmers who suffered uninsurable damage to their property in the devastating floods in November has opened for applications on Monday 6 January. The Government confirmed in November 2019 that it would extend its Farming Recovery Fund so farmers in…

Turkey sees increased crop production compared with previous year

An increase was recorded in Turkey in the production of cereals and other crops, vegetables and fruits in 2019 with rates of 1.4%, 3.5% and 0.3% when compared with the previous year. Production quantities of cereals and other crops, vegetables and fruits, beverages and spices crops in 2019 became as…

The US wants to increase the tariff on Mexican tomato imports again

Mexican tomato producers are concerned as the US Chamber of Commerce has requested increasing the tariff on Mexican tomatoes to 22%, alleging unfair competition. If the…

Indian tomato company "has improved lives of 200 farmer partners"

Kagome Foods India is a Tomato Solutions Company, offering natural and customizable, base solutions to Indian food service. The company has a range of preservative-free tomato solutions that drive convenience, consistency, and customizability, offering an enhanced cooking experience to chefs. In a recent…

Exporter Guide Bulgaria - USDA

Tomatoes and nuts on the rise in Bulgaria

The Bulgaria import of horticultural products amounted to € 3.26 billion in 2018. Of these, € 5,959 million of nuts were imported from the US, Greece, Ukraine, the Netherlands, China, Argentina and Turkey. Tomatoes are number 6 of the 10 largest growth markets. The top 10 retailers: Kaufland (share of…

Comprehensive export guide to opening Chinese market's doors

China is the largest global exporter of, among other products, potatoes, apples, and peanuts. However, the Chinese market is open to importing overseas fruit (see our article of 15-1-2019). The country's middle class is becoming more affluent. The trend is, therefore, that they are no longer buying fruit…

Governments invest in enhancing commercialization to grow Ontario agri-food sector

The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing in a new project to further support innovation, commercialization and growth in the province's agri-food sector. Ontario…

Danish organic Ø brand celebrates 30 years; demand has never been this high

This year, the red ‘Ø’ organic label has been in existence for 30 years. This label can be found on an increasing number of products in Denmark. Since this brand's…

Seed Money Projects for international partnerships

The opportunities for the Dutch agri-food sector to cooperate with partners in Africa, Asia, and North and Central America have been explored in 16 Seed Money Projects (SMPs), financially supported by the Dutch Topsectors Agri & Food and Horticulture & Starting Materials. The results of these projects, carried…

"Know the rules when paying family for farm work"

Farming in Canada has always been a family intensive business, even on larger incorporated farm enterprises. Spouses in many cases are full partners in the process and chief bookkeepers for the business. Part of normal childhood education on the farm is an ongoing list of farm chores, which can include…

Tomatoes, peppers and avocados drive growth

Dutch export turnover for fruit and vegetables rises to € 11.9 billion

Dutch sales of fruit and vegetables abroad increased by four percent in the past year to € 11.9 billion. No less than eighty percent is sold within a radius of 1,000…

FAO supports development of aquaponics in Jordan

The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has signed an agreement with the Ministry of Agriculture to provide capacity building and technical support for the Integrated Agri-Aquaculture farming systems in Jordan. The Technical Cooperation Project (TCP) was signed by FAO…

Preliminary figures released

Russian greenhouse vegetable production continues to grow

Greenhouse vegetables production in the Russian Federation in the past few years have been showing positive dynamics. In 2019 the gross yield of greenhouse vegetables is forecasted to reach 1240 thousand tons, which is 14% higher compared to 2018 (1082.3 thousand tons) and 34.4% higher than in 2017…

“There is a lack of unity in organizations, but the field is united”

Produce thrown away in Almeria due to low prices

On Wednesday January 8, 2020, eggplants and tomatoes have been thrown away in La Cañada, Almería. “Eggplant and tomato continue to lose value. The Moroccan production is taking a negative toll on our products,” said the president of the Union of Independent Agricultural Producers (UAI), Joaquín López,…

Almeria's tomato production falls for fourth consecutive year

As revealed in the latest report of the Prices and Markets Observatory of the Government of Andalusia, Almeria's tomato production has fallen in the last four consecutive seasons. According to the figures in the document, the tomato production in the province stood at 1,090.79 million kilos in the…

Vietnam: Export of main agricultural products down 5.3 percent in 2019

According to Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the combined export value of main agricultural products was estimated at 18.5 billion USD in 2019, down…

Scientists aim to solve Egypt’s food crisis through bio-entrepreneurship

In Egypt, three passion-driven and dedicated women, Hadeer Osama, Eman Alaaedin and Mai Youssef Mostafa, are the founders of startup “From Organic to Mash” (FOTM), which merges the world of science and entrepreneurship. Unlike other businesses, biotech entrepreneurship is entirely academia-powered, and…

US (MI): MDARD announces specialty crop grant opportunity

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) announced a request for proposals through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Ag Marketing Services. The program is designed to enhance the competitiveness of Michigan’s…

USDA transitions to new data source to improve market news reporting accuracy

On Jan. 1, 2020, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) transitioned to a different system to more accurately capture specialty crops…

Peppers became leading vegetable in Almeria in 2019

The year 2019 in Almeria has been marked by a price crisis, the difficulties of the agricultural model and the weather adversities. In this period, there has also been a downward trend in the production of tomatoes, to such an extent that peppers have taken over the lead. For Andrés Góngora, secretary of…

"USMCA action is a welcome start to 2020"

“We are now one step away from unleashing the competitiveness of America’s farmers and ranchers with our two largest trading partners thanks to today’s Senate Finance Committee vote. The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement will protect our valuable trade relationships with our nearest neighbors and…

Irish growers bounce back in uncertain times

This season’s growing conditions in Ireland have been better for some crops than others. It was certainly a more favourable season than last year’s drought-stricken conditions. The looming uncertainty of Brexit and trading environment made it very difficult to plan for the future. Unfortunately, farm…

EBRD invests €15 million in Serbia’s agricultural infrastructure

Serbia’s agricultural infrastructure, which has suffered from severe floods and droughts in recent years, will become more resilient to climate change thanks to a €15 million investment supported by the EBRD. The Bank will finance the construction and rehabilitation of the primary irrigation…

Peru: Ancash blueberry exports doubled in 2019

The department of Ancash in northern Peru has 570 hectares of blueberries in full production, distributed in the provinces of Huarmey and Huaylas, the main varieties being…

Maharashtra - India

Plans for 18 clusters for export of chemical-free fruit and vegetables

The Maharashtra state government, along with APEDA, plans to set up over 18 clusters in the state for export of chemical-residue-free vegetables and fruits. The clusters will…

National Retail Report - Specialty Crops

US retailers focus on health and organics this week

This week, US retailers took multiple tacks to attract shoppers. Dia de Los Reyes (Three Kings Day) was promoted with avocados, Roma tomatoes, onions, and pineapples. Shoppers with New Years resolutions to eat healthier found what they were looking for; salad, cucumbers, carrots, yellow squash, zucchini,…

Roughly one third of food - about 1.3 billion tonnes - is lost or wasted

Combating food waste with a sticker

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, roughly one third of the food produced globally for human consumption every year — about 1.3 billion tonnes — is lost or…

Price at origin of Dutch lettuce is 759% higher than that of Spanish lettuce

According to the data from Faostat, the statistical agency of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), processed by Hortoinfo, in 2018, Dutch lettuce…

Israel: Research as peacemaker

Over 40 years ago, an artist in Israel wanted to grow tomatoes. The result was a greenhouse that has grown into a place of learning and a meeting place for young people - no matter what religion they belong to or where they come from. "About the size of a football field" - this is how Noam Geva describes the Ecological…

First shipment of fresh vegetables flagged off from India to Dubai via sea route

The first trial shipment of fresh vegetables was flagged off on Friday from India's northern city of Varanasi via sea route to Dubai. The shipment contained 14 metric tonnes…

Dominika Kozarzewska about the 2019 berry seasons

“Decreased availability of labor will limit growth of Polish soft fruit acreage”

Despite lower volumes of blueberries being sent to the United Kingdom, 2019 was a relatively good year for the Polish soft fruit. The industry was not without its challenges though, as acreage is increasing while labor is not available in the large numbers required for this kind of growth. 2019 was a…

US: Agriculture Workforce Coalition urges Senate action on ag labor crisis

Following on the heels of a government-mandated increase in farmers’ labor costs, the Agriculture Workforce Coalition (AWC), a diverse group of organizations representing the needs of agricultural employers across the country, urged the U.S. Senate to take up legislation to solve the agricultural labor…

845 million kilos in the 2018/19 campaign

Spanish province of Almeria achieves record pepper production

Greenhouse pepper producers in the Spanish province of Almeria have broken a production record in the latest campaign, having devoted the largest acreage ever to the crop, according to data provided by the Prices and Markets Observatory of the Government of Andalusia. According to a report issued by this…

Crop and Export Report 2020 - Week 1

Chilean blueberries: Crops still concentrated in the south central zone

The crops are still concentrated in the south central zone, where the volumes remain at the peak although the focus has moved towards the mid-season varieties, dominating Legacy and Brigitta, while the earliest varieties are already presenting a downward trend in their volumes. According to information…

IDF chooses Israeli tomatoes over Turkish ones

A discussion over tomato imports from Turkey that was going on last October will be resolved by a reshuffling of tomato purchase orders by the Israeli army. Under new…

Horticulture emerges as viable Plan B for marginal farmers in Punjab

The Punjab horticulture department has not only played a big role in diversification, but is also poised as a profitable alternative for landless and marginal farmers having less than one-acre land. Even small, medium and big farmers under huge debt can adopt new horticulture techniques available at the…

Ample supplies of raspberries in North America

Supplies of raspberries are strong out of Central Mexico and Baja California. “We are at peak production from Central Mexico and our Baja California program is starting strong and will peak weeks one to five,” says Janice Honigberg of Sun Belle Inc. in Oxnard, Ca. “We have higher volumes than last year.…

Victoria braces for record heat

The Bureau of Meteorology expects Victoria to experience the worst of the currents heatwave, with Swan Hill and Mildura in the state's north likely to reach 47oCelsius. Mildura could break Victoria's heat record for a December day. How hot will it get?In Melbourne, the Bureau of Meteorology says temperatures in the CBD are…

Spain, world power in fruit and vegetable production and export

Spain is a world agricultural power and leader in the production and export of different products. This is thanks to the quality of its fields and the great number of varieties produced. FruitsOranges are the most exported fruit in Spain, with three million tons sold in international markets per year. A…

"Regulations threaten Flemish leek farming"

Record sales of EUR 208 million for Belgium auction

REO Auctioneers are based in Roeselare, Belgium. They ended 2019 with record sales of €208 million. That makes last year the best the cooperative has ever had. For the second year running, tomatoes have been the most important product. It is followed by leeks, REO Auction's traditional showpiece. "We…

Bangladesh: Vegetable production rises by 32% in five years

According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), around 26.7 million tons of vegetables were produced across Bangladesh in 2018-19 fiscal year So although a very small portion of cultivable lands are being used for vegetable cultivation, its production has seen a significant rise - 37.63% - between…

Cambodia: Boosting domestic vegetable production to curb imports

The Ministry of Agriculture is taking action to grow more food domestically, hoping to be able to cut down imports. Cambodia planted a variety of vegetables covering a total 58,000 hectares of land nationwide by the end of 2019 that produced 68 per cent of local market demand, according to a Ministry of…

Jamaican workers headed to Canadian greenhouses

Close to 300 Jamaicans will be taking up employment opportunities in Canada under the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Programme (SAWP). The workers, 87 per cent of whom are returnees, will be deployed mainly to farms in Ontario. They began departing the island on Thursday (January 3). At a send-off…

Australian growers preparing for worsening of bushfire conditions over the weekend

Growers and farmers in Southern Australia are on high alert, with fire conditions predicted to worsen this weekend. For the third time this year a State of Emergency has been declared in New South Wales. It comes a day after Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews declared a State of Disaster for six Local…

Profitability and competitiveness: crucial concepts for Spanish greenhouse vegetables

The lack of profitability and competitiveness of the Spanish greenhouse vegetable production was one of the key points discussed at the meeting of the protected vegetable sector, held with the presence of the Director General of Agricultural Productions and Markets, Esperanza Orellana. She acknowledged…

Report of the Center for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries

Europe is the world's second-largest importer of dried chili peppers

According to a report by the Center for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries, CBI, the main importer of dried peppers in Europe is Spain. However, new…

Study finds climate change could reduce fruit and veg yields by a third

Researchers from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine have found that the yields of certain fruits, such as soft fruits, grapes, and bananas, are at risk of falling by almost a third due to the threat of climate change. Two of the most important factors are reduced rainfall and increased…

Got some Bitcoin lying around? Invest it in a farm

The rise of Bitcoin has left many investors sitting on large sums of cryptocurrencies. Harvest Returns is making use of that - they will now accept cryptocurrencies as form of payment for selected platform offerings. “Accepting cryptocurrencies is a natural evolution for us,” said Austin Maness, Harvest…

Agriculture Workforce Coalition demands action

US Senate urged to solve agricultural labor crisis

Closely following the government-mandated increase in farmers’ labor costs, the Agriculture Workforce Coalition (AWC), a diverse group of organizations representing the needs…

UK government earmarks £3 billion to cover loss of EU farm subsidies after Brexit

Chancellor of the Exchequer Sajid Javid has earmarked £3 billion to spend on farmers in 2020 to help them after Brexit. The cash - to be spread over two years - will be used…

The Mexican tomato export season to the US begins in Sinaloa

According to the manager of the Commission for Research and Defense of the Vegetables, IACHR, Mario Haroldo Robles Escalante, the strong export season to the United States…

"Vietnam's agricultural sector at a crossroad"

In 2018, Vietnam’s agriculture sector witnessed its highest growth rate in recent years — 3.76 per cent. Export revenue from the sector was US$40 billion, with a trade surplus of US$8.72 billion. by Nguyen Van Giap, lecturer at the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen…

APHIS 2019 accomplishments

Supporting American producers and protecting US agriculture

The United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is celebrating the agency’s many successful efforts over the past year. “It’s been a challenging but productive year, with our dedicated employees working tirelessly to meet our mission of protecting American…

US: Indoor lettuce growers find a wedge to market amid another E. coli outbreak

Another outbreak of E. coli in romaine lettuce has sickened more than 100 people nationwide and left others wondering if raw salad is safe. As food-safety investigators clear…

Murcia appealing against limited water transfers from other Spanish regions

The Government of the Spanish Region of Murcia has started the procedures for an administratively contentious appeal against the country's Ministry for Ecological Transition. According to the Councilor of Water, Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Environment, Antonio Luengo, "the Ministry has made an…

Ghana: Tomato farmers Tuobodom deplore Burkina Faso imports

Continuously importing millions of dollars’ worth of tomatoes from neighbouring Burkina Faso is taking a huge toll on tomato farmers in Ghana. The Federation of Tomato Growers…

CAN (BC): 2018 record year for food sales

B.C. growers contributed to a record-setting year in 2018, with annual revenue from businesses in those sectors reaching $15 billion for the first time. “It was an excellent…

your outlook for 2020:

Horticultural perspectives from North America, Russia, India, Australia

After a year full of hard work, the holidays are upon us - a perfect time to take a trip around the world. So get on board our HortiDaily cruise ship, kick back and enjoy a nice cocktail (eggnog, anyone?) as we visit professionals around the world to see how they're doing. First stop: the United States. US:…

Does Russia need a national brand: opinion of food producers

Main players of the food market of the Russian Federation have exchanged their opinions on the export perspectives of Russian produce. Top managers of the leading enterprises…

Azerbaijan continues to increase tomato volumes

Statistical data has shown that export volumes of tomatoes from Azerbaijan, also in Russia, continues to increase, while import is decreasing. Should the Russian Federation…

Sectors

Announcements

Job Offers

"Tweeting Growers"

Top 5 -yesterday

Top 5 -last week

Top 5 -last month

Market Information