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Happy Easter from the FreshPlaza team

GLOBAL MARKET OVERVIEW LIMES

The main producer supplying the European market at this time of the year is Brazil, with smaller supplies from Peru, Colombia and Vietnam. Brazil has a new crop on the way…

Heavier domestic watermelon plantings could extend season into September

The Florida watermelon season may start a bit later in South Florida due to overcast days and temperatures. "We should get going about the third week…

Marcel van der Pluijm, Feeling Fresh:

"Early demand for Dutch bell peppers from North America following a successful Spanish season"

The export of Dutch fruit-vegetables to North America has begun again. Spanish bell pepper exports continued well this winter, too, says Marcel van der…

Produce podcast adds new show

The Fresh CrEd co-hosts, Craig Slate and Ed Bertaud, and their team are expanding their program to address the needs of today's evolving produce industry and bring continued…

"We have to find a market for avocados from Peru that are mainly medium to smaller sized”

Peru's avocado industry is seeing a predominance of medium to smaller sized fruits as the ongoing El Niño phenomenon causes hot weather, leading up to…

Weather causes slower start of Salinas lettuce season

Supply of Baby Gem lettuce has finished up harvest in Yuma, Arizona, and production has transitioned to Salinas, California where harvest has just…

Lineage expands in U.S. market with new facility near Phoenix

Lineage, a temperature-controlled industrial REITs and integrated solutions providers, announced the strategic expansion of its warehousing network…

USDA

Fruit and tree nut grower prices lower in early 2024

March 2024 U.S. citrus crop forecast at 4.85 million tons

The most recent U.S. citrus crop forecast (March 2024) for 2023/24 is 4.85 million tons, down 1 percent from the 2022/23 final utilized total of 4.9…

Latest PACA updates

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has filed an administrative complaint against Aggrigator Inc. (Amor Organics) for alleged violations of the Perishable Agricultural…

Global survey on the costs in produce production launches

The Global Coalition of Fresh Produce launched its second global survey into the costs of fruit and vegetable production and trading, and the prices…

East Texas farmers cautiously optimistic about this year’s peach harvest

East Texas peach producers are entering the current season with cautious optimism following several challenging years. Larry Stein, a professor with Texas A&M…

Georgia citrus industry focuses on diversity to combat disease

The citrus sector in Georgia is expanding, with the state's growers convening in Tifton for their seventh annual conference. This event is a platform for the…

USDA / NASS

Fresh orange juice scarce in Tampa Bay region

In the Tampa Bay region, the quest for fresh squeezed orange juice at local establishments has become increasingly challenging, a situation attributed…

US almond orchards: Promising progress in disease management ahead of summer

Orchards across various regions in the US have moved beyond the petal fall stage, with most petal fall sprays concluded. Growers are now focusing on disease…

British Columbia

Spotted Lantern Fly threatens Okanagan fruit cultivation

The Regional District Central Okanagan Board was informed about the potential threat of the Spotted Lantern Fly to the Okanagan's agriculture, particularly…

Michigan ag census reveals decline in national rankings for key crops

In the latest agricultural census, Michigan has observed a downturn in national ratings for nearly 20 commodities, according to Molly Sears, an…

'High demand and attractive market prices'

Southern cherry campaign concludes quite favorably

The recent campaign for southern cherries has concluded successfully. The campaign's success is reflected in the high demand and attractive market prices.…

Peruvian ginger exports soared in 2023

According to the Peruvian Commission for the Promotion of Exports and Tourism (PROMPERÚ), in 2023, Peruvian fresh ginger exports totaled $119 million, i.e.…

Delivering cherries with a predictable cold chain

There are very few seasonal treats as special as perfectly fresh cherries from Chile. Over the past few decades, these delicious red fruits have become…

Banana box shortage in Saint Lucia: a temporary crisis

In Saint Lucia, a shortage of boxes for banana exports has emerged, attributed to maintenance activities at WINERA, the primary supplier. Agriculture…

Robert Greeve, Anaco & Greeve International

"Organic and conventional prices differ much less than ten years ago"

Container ships are queuing off the coast of Panama, the northwest of South America is experiencing volatile weather, plant diseases are a constant…

"Trade with Egypt is extra slow due to Ramadan"

Importing Polish apples does not seem to be very popular at the moment. According to Mohamed Marawan, owner of Polish apple exporter Sarafruit, the…

“This an opportunity for our growers, and suppliers to find a new market in supplying directly to these customers"

This week saw the launch of a fresh produce sector area at the International Food & Drink Event in London. The fresh produce stands were organised by…

Water reserves in Spain stand at 57.8%

Spain's water reserves have decreased slightly and currently stand at 32,407 cubic hectometers (hm³), which is 57.8% of the total capacity. This entails a…

BayWa AG expects earnings to improve in the financial year 2024

After years of strong growth, the macroeconomic environment changed massively for BayWa AG in 2023, as reflected in the balance sheet for the most…

Giyora Marom, CEO Granot Fresh:

“Our commitment to the Kenyan avocado industry is unwavering”

The Israeli avocado grower, packer and exporter Granot Fresh is eager to see their newly planted trees in Kenya come into full production over the next…

"Europe takes over 70% of the market share for Kenyan avocados"

Despite the challenges with the Red Sea, the Kenyan avocado season has kicked off with a great start, says Paul Kyalo, Managing Director of Kenyan…

Mild impact of the Red Sea crisis on Egyptian garlic

With acreage cut by almost half this season, many growers having preferred to plant onions, the supply of Egyptian garlic has fallen sharply. Ralph…

Agung Pratama of Bejo South East Asia:

"The Vietnamese vegetable market is becoming a modern trade”

Bejo was one of the first breeding companies to initiate seedling production and research facilities in Vietnam, recognizing the country's potential…

COSCO Shipping Ports announces 2023 Annual Results

'In 2023, the company continued to further implement its strategy of lean operations'

COSCO Shipping Ports Limited has announced the annual results of the Company and its subsidiaries, ended 31 December 2023. 2023 FY results - highlights…

World Container Index decreased by 3% to $2,929 per 40ft container this week

Detailed assessment for Thursday, 28 March 2024 The composite index decreased by 3% to $2,929 per 40ft container this week and has increased by 71% when compared with the same week last ye…

Debunking misinformation: the safety of grape consumption

A recent viral video caused concern by showing grapes soaked in pesticides and chemicals, allegedly causing health issues like sore throat, cough, and…