Thursday, October 11, 2018
	NORTH AMERICA

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Date harvest yields close to expected results

The date harvest in California has wrapped up for the year and growers are now busy sorting and preparing to pack the desert-loving fruit. This year's summer conditions were close to the average, with sufficiently hot temperatures and low humidity for the most part. "We're done with picking and we are currently sorting the dates…

Argentinian blueberries just beginning imports

Imported blueberries are getting a slightly late start this season. “There have not been any blueberries last week because the cold weather and a little bit of rain pushed things back a couple of weeks,” says Jim Gatter of Glassboro, NJ-based Sunny Valley International. “However we received some product late last week by air…

Production thins on imported calabaza

The calabaza market is taking a turn. “Right now, the market is finally on the upswing for calabaza after being really bad for a really long time,” says Alan Goldberg of A&B Tropical Produce in Miami, Florida. “There was heavy production which is usual for that time of the year. But this year we had a prolonged period of overproduction…

New tomato brand to be launched December 2018 in Western U.S.

Flavorful Brands and The Produce Exchange / Lipman Family Farms are partnering to expand Tasti-Lee® tomatoes to the Western U.S market. According to the company, Tasti-Lee tomatoes have enjoyed success with consumers and retailers in the Eastern U.S. Tasti-Lee® is now expanding nationwide, and through the new…

United Fresh to present Lifetime Achievement Award to Ron Carkoski

United Fresh Produce Association will present its Lifetime Achievement Award to Ron Carkoski, Chief Executive Officer, Four Seasons Family of Companies, at Fresh Start 2019, the United Fresh Start Foundation’s annual conference, golf tournament and Gala Dinner January 15, at the La Quinta Resort & Club, La Quinta,…

Nonprofit certification and skill-building organization elects new chair and vice-chair

Equitable Food Initiative held elections to select a new chair and vice-chair at its fall board meeting held in Washington on October 2-3, 2018. EFI announced that Ernie Farley of Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce was elected as the new board chair, and Carol Schrader, a technology consultant and former software…

Organic Grower Summit announces second education session

The second of six educational sessions finalized for the 2018 Organic Grower Summit will focus on managing the challenges of plant health in organic production systems. “Managing Organic Production Systems to Promote Plant Health” will feature organic industry experts in plant health offering a discussion on…

Onion market and crop update for October 11, 2018

MARKET Washington: Brenden Kent with Sunset Produce in Prosser, WA, reported on Oct. 10 that Sunset’s harvest is complete. “We are finished up with everything dry and in the barn,” Brenden said. He noted that demand on yellows has been so good that on some days, demand has exceeded supply. “Demand has picked up this week, after…

Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico

An image of Hurricane Michael

What began as a tropical disturbance in the Caribbean Sea on October 2 went on to graze the Yucatan Peninsula and then grew into Hurricane Michael. The storm continued on its way through the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. After slamming Florida and lashing Georgia, Michael is now threatening the storm-weary Carolinas. The Carolinas…

Special PMA

Self-assembly greenhouse to be launched in USA

“North America is looking for better solutions for local produce, so-called farm to table produce”, says TAP’s CEO, Avner Shohet. “People are looking for fresh products that leave less of a carbon footprint.” He says there is a lot of effort going into urban farming in that country. “The TAPKIT is another solution. It…

Mushroom grower to unveil new packaging

Giorgio Fresh is celebrating its 90th anniversary by unveiling its new packaging at this year’s PMA Fresh Summit in Orlando, Fla. The company started with a packaging refresh, as they said it is the first interaction the consumer has with the brand. According to Giorgio, consumers are looking for clean, simple labels in bold…

Global Focus Top Fruit

Climate change might change UK apple production

The home production of internationally-bred apples favoured by UK consumers might be increased in Britain in future due to climate change. A warmer UK climate has already resulted in earlier apple flowering and harvest, and is enabling late-ripening apple varieties to be produced across more of the UK. Now, one of the…

Dole launches partnership for new product development

Dole Fresh Vegetables has joined forces with Vineland, N.J.-based Safeway Fresh Foods to develop fruit and vegetable products. “Through our collaboration, Dole Fresh Vegetables will expand our portfolio of offerings to include items such as a full line of ready-to-eat salads, snacks, fresh-cut platters, value-added…

US: North Carolina farmers fear impact on sweet potato crop

According to the North Carolina Sweet Potato Commission, this state produces the most sweet potatoes in US. It will provide nearly 60 percent of the nation's supply, and there is concern this supply will be impacted with more rain from the remnants of Hurricane Michael. Farmers in the east have already been hit hard once this…

US: Semi crash spills cranberries along Washington State Highway

A semi truck crashed and rolled over Wednesday morning on a rural Western Washington highway. According to the Washington State Patrol report, tons of cranberries spilled along the roadside. Troopers responded to the scene, on Highway 105 about 12 miles north of Raymond in Pacific County. Once at the scene, the semi rig was…

New plant-based dip product line launched

Good Foods has announced the launch of its plant-based dip line featuring five new products. Designed to be an extension to its recent plant-based dressings, the company said the dips are in response to consumer trends to help retailers meet a growing demand for alternative food products. The dips are made from plant sources like…

Organic specialty salad producer to launch new products at PMA

Misionero will unveil its new salad kits, bowls, and washed-and-trimmed lettuces at PMA Fresh Summit. The brand will showcase all of its innovations at the show including items such as Sweet Earth Taco Salad Kits, Asian Salad Wraps, and Earth Greens and Garden Life Single Serve Bowls, along with previously launched items like the…

Eastern US States: Grape growers combating spotted lanternfly

While the dreaded spotted lanternfly has mostly been seen in the counties of eastern Pennsylvania, it is spreading quickly and is feeding on orchards and vineyards. "Right now, we are seeing spotted lanternfly feeds heavily on grapevines and apple trees," says Heather Leach, the spotted lanternfly educator for Penn State Cooperative Extension.…

US: Most agricultural commodities neutral to profitable

Northwest Farm Credit Services, the Northwest’s leading agricultural lending cooperative, has released its quarterly Market Snapshot reports, looking at the state of major agricultural commodities in the region. Industry teams working throughout Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington monitor conditions and report…

Pro-Plum (part of the OrganoGroup) embarks on expansion into organic vegetables and lemons

The only organic stonefruit this time of the year comes from South Africa

The organic peach and nectarine season has just started at Pro-Plum, part of the OrganoGroup, on the Waterberg highlands of Limpopo Province, flown out to primarily Canada and Europe, with some smaller volumes to the Middle East. Organic stonefruit harvesting at Pro-Plum, in Limpopo, South Africa (Photo courtesy of OTC Organics) “The…

Chile is starting to use bees to increase the flowering of almond trees

Chile is starting to use bees to increase the flowering of almond trees The trial use of a bee attractant on almond trees in 10 orchards in October, was a success. This innovative technology, which is widely used in California and widely recognized in the United States, had not been used before in Chile. However, the…

Nariño is the main producing department

Colombia: National coconuts cover 80% of domestic demand

Coconut palm cultivation is one of the crops with the greatest growth potential, especially in the Pacific and Caribbean, and one of the most recognized tropical fruits thanks to its refreshing taste, and nutritional and medicinal properties. Despite being the most cultivated palm in the world, especially in Asian countries, its development…

From January to September

Colombia: More than 200 tons of citrus have been shipped out through the port of Barranquilla

The Port of Barranquilla is Colombia's outlet to export sweet citrus. According to the Health Information System for Import and Export of Agricultural and Livestock Products (Sispa), between January and September of this year, 212,08 tons of Tahiti lime and orange fruits were shipped through the Port of Barranquilla…

How organic agriculture in Cuba saved its population from hunger

Cuba's example shows that sustainable development isn't only possible, it's necessary. This country was forced to abandon its sugar monoculture and has survived thanks to organic agriculture. The fall of the Soviet Union left Cuba in a dire economic situation. Cuban citizens started to grow crops on their balconies…

Chile as an example for fruit and vegetable bilateral agreements

Marco Rivoira is the manager of a leading group within this sector and he stated, “The European Union should take Chile as an example when it comes to stipulating fruit and vegetables free trade agreements”. According to the manager, Chile actualizes agreements on the basis of the ‘mirror method’, which indicates a full…

Bananas, toilet rolls, stuffed animals...

Chinese are slapping fitness trackers on all kinds of things

In China it’s trendy to strap fitness trackers to all kinds of inanimate objects. Interestingly, placing fitness trackers on toilet paper rolls, bananas and even stuffed animals will actually yield a heart rate reading. After quite a bit of research, Chinese tech site Abacus reported that Xiaomi Mi Band 3 fitness trackers will display…

Five lessons from the Australian strawberry needle crisis

Australia is in the grip of a food contamination crisis, after metal needles were discovered in strawberries. The fruit sabotage has spread to at least six brands in four states and has resulted in Coles and Aldi supermarkets pulling the product from their shelves across the country. Additionally, New Zealand food…

The Kumato® proving to be a major hit with consumers

One of Australia’s new tomato varieties is quickly gaining traction with consumers, according to one of the growers. Kumato® grower Andrew Potter, who produces 450,000kg each year, says interest in the fruit is growing steadily. “Australians enjoy the unique taste and colour changes of the Kumato®,” he said. “They are less acidic than your…

Israel: “Higher prices due to high quality and demand”

It’s early in the season, but citrus fruits in Israel are being harvested and the first wave of produce is finding its way into the supermarkets. Betsalel Ohana from Planet Israel Export claims the season is looking good, with good prices and great quality. For Planet Israel, the Star Ruby Red Grapefruit is the main product, though they’ve rebranded it…

"One-bite is a healthy, convenient alternative when hunger pangs strike"

Now available in a range of sizes and colours, the snack tomato has established itself as a healthy alternative for traditional snacks such as potato crisps and nuts. And it has now been joined by a fresh, crunchy mini cucumber that can be eaten whole. One-bite looks similar to a regular snack cucumber, but is even…

Bertus Schipper, Zoutewelle:

"Cantaloupes not touching the ground, but there are plenty of yellow melons"

A few weeks ago, the Brazilian melon season started at Dutch produce wholesaler, Zoutewelle. "This season, we have again received a wide assortment of melons. These include yellow honeydew, Cantaloupe, Galia, and Piel de Sapo melons, as well as seeded and seedless watermelon", says Bertus Schipper, an account manager…

Greece: “Our aim is to double our kiwi capacity”

The new season of Kiwifruit will start in a few days' time. Mitrosilis will start harvesting the Hayward variety between 15-20 of October. The season looks promising, as sizes and quantities are looking to meet the standards. For Greece there will be a slight decrease in volume this season, according to Irini Mitrosilis: "There is…

Carla Vercher:

"Customers want year-round supply of Bollo fruit"

When José Vercher Cuñat started selling fruits in Valencia in 1922, he couldn’t have imagined that, almost a century later, the Bollo brand would be known worldwide in the global fruit market. Now the company is managed by the third generation and the fourth is also at the company. Carla Vercher, is employed as…

Avocado growers Australia:

‘Avo prices have hit their peak, supply continues to skyrocket’

There is good news for avocado lovers: They have likely paid the most they will ever pay for an avocado during summer, and the popular fruit will keep getting cheaper. Over the past decade the avocado supply in Australia has skyrocketed, with production increasing by nearly 60 percent, according to Hort Innovation Australia. But up…

Conference will be held from November 14 to 16, 2018

‘The Hybrid Solution’ presented at BioControl LATAM, Medellin, Colombia

At the upcoming BioControl LATAM Conference in Medellin, Colombia, November 14 – 16, 2018, STK bio-ag technologies Country Manager for Colombia & Ecuador, Jose Antonio Estevez will present “Increasing Yields by Providing Current Non-Biological Users with an Easy Bridge for Using Biologicals: The Hybrid Solution”. STK…

Primland acquires IFS BROKER certification

In response to its customers’ legitimate expectations in ensuring the quality and food safety of its fruit, in 2011 Primland implemented a certified quality management system in accordance with the ISO 9001v2008 standard. Initially, this system optimised the organisation of the firm’s services in this context of strong growth. In…

Pieter de Ruiter, 4Fruit Company:

"People are only now discovering the kaki"

The Spanish kaki season has burst forth again at Dutch produce wholesaler, 4Fruit Company. This company from Ridderkerk is a distributor for the Spanish cooperative, Anecoop. Anecoop grows no less than 25% of the kakis in Spain. Currently, the fruit's coloring is disappointing. The kakis' imperfect color is due to the…

Herbs are sold in recycled pots

Gartenbauzentrale now uses 100 percent recyclable plant pots

Gartenbauzentrale eG, headquartered in Papenburg, now sells garden herbs such as basil, sage, rosemary and the like in blue, 100 percent recyclable plant pots. The product packaging consists of high-quality, recycled granulate pots. The pots were produced by Pöppelmann GmbH & Co. KG. With these blue pots, PÖPPELMANN…

Omni-channel retailing opens floodgates of produce marketing issues

Last week it was announced that branding and packaging expert Lisa Cork will take to the stage at this year's Amsterdam Produce Summit on November 13 at the KIT, Royal Tropical Institute. Lisa will take a deep dive into online food shopping and give attendees a unique insight into an ever-changing digital world and the opportunities and…

New from freshfrombelgium.com: 14 new websites under one roof

From now on, foreign trade contacts can find suppliers of Belgian fresh products using a new platform. To that end, VLAM completely renewed their export platform www.freshfrombelgium.com , which coordinates 14 different production websites. Each product website’s starting point is the story of the sector involved, as…

Vers+ kicks off with a special personalized dinner based on DNA analysis

Horticulture initiative focuses on nutrients: "Healthy food makes you feel better"

Not invited to the special tailor-made dinner with which the horticultural initiative vers+ (fresh+) was started? Not to worry, because if it is up to the initiators, this is the future. A future in which everyone in time will receive tailor-made nutrition based on personal dietary needs. The Dutch (greenhouse)…

Apofruit Italia starts the campaign

Italy: Fewer persimmons but good quality and better prices

The harvesting of the Tipo persimmon variety has just started in Emilia Romagna. The Apofruit Italia marketing manager Mirco Zanelli observed that the outlook is good for both the quality and the prices – this latter because there is a decrease in the quantity. The manager stated, “The plants have fewer fruits compared to last years. But the…

Photonics: New laser scanner to detect carcinogenic chemicals

Last year, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) issued a warning about eating over-fried potatoes, burnt toast and crisps that can contain cancer-causing chemicals such as acrylamide. They are deeming them a serious health threat to billions of consumers. At present, raw potatoes that produce an excess of the carcinogenic chemical acrylamide…

Durian potato chips appearing in China

Food brand Lay’s has recently joined the trend of combining durians with all kinds of things, with their durian-flavored potato chips, which are now available in China. The snack food company introduced the limited edition item last month with the name “Little Durian Monster, characterized by a cartoon-like face printed over the…

Arctic journey of Maersk vessel

On 22 August 2018, Maersk Liner vessel Venta Mærsk left the port of Vladivostok in Russia. Instead of taking the usual route through the Suez Canal, the container ship was heading to St. Petersburg via the Northern Sea Route (NSR). For the first time, Maersk was going to test the cold water of the Arctic but thorough planning and careful preparations were…

Omani women use cherimoya to develop remedy against hair loss

Three women from Oman claim to have successfully developed a hair cream that reduces hair loss and thinning of the scalp. They used their uncles as guinea pigs to ensure that the cream works. The women students from the Higher College of Technology, Heba Al Ghafri, Sharifa Al Qaitaiti, and Faiza Al Khatiri, helped create the cream…

Sainsbury’s UK: 'Brussels sprouts' and 'pigs in blankets' flavoured teas

Sainsbury’s has just launched a range of 'Brussels sprouts' and 'pigs in blankets' flavour teas. Yes, you can now drink meat or vegetable flavoured tea and we’re not quite sure what to think. In hopes of helping anyone looking for unusual gifts, Sainsbury’s decided to create a green tea which is made using actual Brussels sprouts, as well as…

Lady, moped and fruit. Lots of fruit.

This old lady had more than enough for her five a day. Watch how she crammed all her fruit onto her moped.

Australia partitioned into areas with same population as New Zealand

When you've got too much time on your hands...

Village Super Market: Q4 sales up, comps dip

Meijer: sustainability moves awarded as both supplier and carrier

US: Grocery co-op’s big plans for expansion GreenStar Natural Foods Market co-op in Ithaca, New York State, is offering its members the chance to invest in its future as it plans a huge expansion that will create 40 jobs and offer customers a more culturally diverse product line, with more local, organic, and Fair…

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