James Milne with Oppy

“Europe remains an important area to source high quality produce items from”

The need for fruit and vegetable trade between North America and Europe has significantly changed in the past 15 to 20 years. "We used to source apples…

Varietal options help expand lemon category

Recent rains in California were a welcome development for the lemon crop. "Things had been dry in the fields there but the rain was a good blessing to…

DulceVida nectarine program earns unique PLU codes

In advance of the 2025 California stone fruit season, the Giumarra Companies announces the introduction of unique PLU codes for its exclusive…

Kinghaven Farms to launch commercial production of greenhouse-grown lettuce in Ontario

“Canadian buyers haven’t seen much of this particular product before”

Ontario-based Kinghaven Farms has completed final preparations to launch commercial production at its newly built, highly automated greenhouse, marking…

Looking ahead at Florida’s peak Mamey Sapote season

While there is some availability of the tropical fruit Mamey Sapote on the marketplace already, more intense harvesting will begin next month. "We don't…

Trump to end temporary suspension of 25% tariff on Mexican imports and 10% on Canadian products

President Donald Trump announced that tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico will commence next month, ending a temporary suspension. These tariffs,…

Partnership designed to deliver fresher, longer-lasting broccoli

Verdant™ Technologies and Indianapolis Fruit have partnered to elevate the broccoli experience with Verdant's HarvestHold Fresh® technology. By working…

NASA astronaut Jose Hernandez to deliver keynote at Viva Fresh

The Texas International Produce Association (TIPA) unveils this year's keynote speaker: NASA astronaut, engineer, and entrepreneur Jose Hernandez will…

New director of sales for Main Street Produce

Main Street Produce has appointed Steve Circle as the new director of sales. With an extensive background in sales, business development, and…

Dole reports strong operational performance and revenue growth

Dole plc has announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ending December 31, 2024, highlighting strong operational performance…

U.S. proposes up to $1.5M port fees on Chinese-built ships to curb China's shipbuilding influence

The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has proposed imposing fees on Chinese-built vessels entering U.S. ports. This move is part of an ongoing investigation…

Trump administration layoffs and funding suspensions disrupt California farm grants

The recent actions by the Trump administration, involving the mass dismissal of federal employees and the suspension of federal funds, have affected…

Certification and workforce development organization awarded $1.2M Walmart Foundation grant

Equitable Food Initiative has been awarded a $1.2 million grant from the Walmart Foundation. The funding marks the fourth grant EFI has received from…

Camposol reports record profit in 2024, driven by strong sales and debt reduction

Camposol Holding PLC, a multinational company specializing in fresh and healthy food production, has announced its preliminary financial results for 2024.…

USDA cites New York company for PACA violation

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has imposed sanctions on Marchella of NY Inc., Oceanside, N.Y., for violating the Perishable Agricultural Commodities…

Citrus consumption linked to 20% lower depression risk

A study led by Raaj Mehta from Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital suggests that consuming citrus could lower depression risk by 20%. The…

Arizona citrus growers adapt to water cuts, market shifts, and disease challenges

Mark Kuechel reflects on the transformation of the citrus industry in Arizona, reminiscent of past experiences in California. His family relocated to Arizona…

New Hampshire farmers battle crop losses as extreme weather disrupts growing seasons

Farmers in New Hampshire are experiencing "weather whiplash," shifting from one extreme to another, impacting fields and livelihoods, as reported by Concord…

Banana-derived lectin therapy shows promise against COVID-19 variants and future pandemics

In January 2020, a potential breakthrough in flu treatment emerged, only to be overshadowed by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. A therapy, H84T-BanLec,…

Cilantro gains popularity in cocktails with new bottled spirit and creative mixes

The cocktail resurgence of the early 2000s persists, with well-crafted cocktails now a staple on bar menus. Bartenders are known for using herbs and…

North Florida and South Georgia growers remove satsuma trees

Satsuma mandarins, known for their adaptability in cold-hardy citrus regions, face challenges in North Florida and South Georgia due to limited shelf life.…

Walnut Board opens nominations for board positions

The California Walnut Board will begin accepting nominations for its governing board, calling on established growers, handlers, and next-generation…

CBP seizes $930,400 of cocaine hidden in cucumber and jalapeño shipment at Texas border

U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations officers at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility intercepted $930,400 of…

"Decline in citrus consumption driven by factors beyond pricing"

"The drop in consumption is cause for concern, especially since it does not seem to be strictly related to economic factors. It is crucial to interpret…

Bulltec's innovations on the vegetable front: watch the video!

Guaranteed weight: we need technologies that minimize product giveaway

"2024 was a good year for us, with the set up of several lines. Operators in the fruit and vegetable sector are increasingly asking us for technologies…

Abrafrutas

"We firmly believe that Asia will be the fastest growing territory for Brazilian exports"

The Brazilian fruit export sector has achieved remarkable growth in the last decade, going from generating 500 million dollars to 1.3 billion dollars…

Esli Recinos, of H52:

"In the coming years, we are going to have major water shortages in many Latin American countries"

There has been a remarkable growth of berry trade at an international level, with demand steadily on the rise in key markets such as the United States,…

Roelf Nagel – Allways Fresh

After deluge, quick rise in tomato prices will circle out to all veg lines

Every day between 140 and 160 tonnes of bulk vegetables – potatoes, onions, butternut, tomatoes, peppers, sweet potatoes, beetroot, carrot, ginger, and…

"All the cherries must be re-exported or destroyed in China"

Chinese laboratory tests of the cherries from the 20 inspected containers, from the long-delayed Maersk Saltoro, have been returned and are said to…

Manfred van der Vlag, Sweet Fruits:

"Palmer mango makes a comeback on European shelves"

The mango market is currently developing positively, according to Manfred van der Vlag of Sweet Fruits' Dutch sales office in Emmen. "Supply has been…

Bert Lodewyckx of Fruit Layer:

"We believe fruit crisps are a perfect fit for the healthy snacking trend"

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a growing awareness of health and an increasing demand for healthy snack products. This trend plays…

Azienda Agricola Gioacchino Russo

Tomato specialties: every year, varietal selection is refined to satisfy the most demanding markets

Greenhouse tomatoes are becoming increasingly mass-produced, often including commodities that do not bring added value. So what is the strategy to…

Daniela Santos and María Isabel Gaviria, Coltrópicos Colombia:

"Our sorting system takes 150 photos per avocado to optimize selection and differentiate us from other packers"

"Our automated sorting technology is what sets us apart. We use a Tomra brand automatic optical sorting system called Spectrim (Machine Learning),…

Luis Alberto Jaramillo, Minister of Production:

"Ecuador must diversify its export basket beyond bananas"

Ecuadorian fruit and vegetable exports continue to grow. According to the Ministry of Production, non-oil exports grew by 10% in 2024, reaching $22.36…

"Compostable bags emerge as a key trend in fruit and vegetable packaging to meet market demand"

As consumers become increasingly conscious of health and environmental sustainability, governments worldwide are tightening regulations on single-use,…

Juan Jesús Lara, manager of CASI:

"Our tomato strategy has allowed us to cover exclusive market niches throughout Europe"

After three consecutive months officially rated as extremely warm from November to January, by February, Almeria's tomato production is said to have…

Italy

PHOTO REPORT Sana Food 2025

On February 25, 2025, Sana Food, the event dedicated to all aspects of healthy food from controlled and sustainable supply chains, came to an end. The new location in Hall 18…

Final harvests of the season for Moroccan nadorcott

The Moroccan mandarin season is halfway through. The campaign has been eventful, marked by production difficulties and fierce competition between…

Unijus

Fruit juice consumption declines as soft drinks and energy drinks surge

The Union Nationale Interprofessionnelle des Jus de Fruits (Unijus) is raising the alarm over a sharp decline in fruit juice consumption and is calling…

Natural gum and light technology extend fresh produce shelf life, reduce food waste

University of Queensland studies have explored the use of natural tree sap gum and light to extend the shelf life of fresh fruit and vegetables, aiming…

New bin tipper enhances cherry grading efficiency at Reid Fruits in Tasmania

A nearly 40-year collaboration between GP Graders and Reid Fruits has led to the introduction of a new gantry-style bin tipper as part of the AirJet®…

Dutch white asparagus season begins amid market challenges for fresh herbs

In the Netherlands, there's a saying: "When White Asparagus appears on menus, it's time to start planning your summer vacation" While the weather may…

German company sets the pace in packing French fries

French fries are on the rise: per capita consumption of frozen potato products has been increasing for many years now. As a result, potato processing…

British actress playfully urges shoppers to try cotton candy grapes

Joanna Lumley, 78, shared a humorous supermarket encounter where she lightly held two women by the neck while encouraging them to buy cotton candy…

Rabobank: Positive sentiment for greenhouse investments

A Rabobank survey among suppliers to the global greenhouse sector reveals a positive sentiment for further investments. Multiple global trends are…

18th Cambodian products, Fruits and Vegetables exhibition to start February 27

The Ministry of Commerce will organise the 18th Cambodian Products, Fruits, and Vegetables exhibition at the public exercise area facing the Siem Reap…

It's been a difficult season for Chilean table grapes, but things are expected to improve in April

The 2024-2025 season has been difficult for Chilean grape growers. There's hope, however, that prices will improve by April as the volumes arriving in the US…

Argentina exported a record volume of cherries this season

According to estimates made before the end of this cherry export season, Argentina exported more than 7,600 tons of cherries, setting a new record. This season…

South African citrus summit to tackle logistics, market access, and export growth

The South African citrus industry will convene at the fifth Citrus Summit from March 11-13 in Gqeberha, hosted by the Citrus Growers' Association of Southern…

Peruvian blueberry exports hit record $2.1 billion, driven by higher volumes and market expansion

The 2024/2025 campaign has marked a record for Peruvian blueberries. Since the commercial expansion in 2011, Peru's blueberry sector has faced challenges,…

New Zealand kicks off earliest kiwifruit harvest, projected to exceed 200 million trays

The 2025 kiwifruit season in New Zealand has commenced with the earliest harvest on record. Initiated near Edgecumbe in the Bay of Plenty, the harvest is…

UK extends seasonal worker visas and invests £110M in farm tech, but farmers remain concerned

Defra Secretary Steve Reed introduced measures at the NFU Conference to address challenges in British agriculture. Despite this, concerns persist among farmers…