Peru's 2022/23 blueberry season exports to China increases by 38%

Peru’s blueberry exports to China, its third biggest market, have increased by 38% in the 2022/2023 season compared to the last 2021/2022 season. “China is very close to exceeding 37 thousand tons, by the end of its campaign, shipments to China accumulated 36,973 tons, representing 13% of total exports,”…

"Easter demand for Dutch strawberries picking up well"

In Europe, soft fruit sales have a very positive outlook as Easter nears. "There's plenty of movement in the market. That's a good thing. The volumes from Southern Europe and Morocco are also slowly becoming available, so we have plenty of product to sell," begins the Dutch company Frankort&Koning's…

Strawberry patent infringement unsuccessful for Driscoll’s

A strawberry patent infringement lawsuit against the former chief of a breeding institute hasn't borne fruit and is running out of steam. The case stems from an underlying…

South African blueberry growers determined to bounce back after a challenging 2022

South Africa's blueberry season will kick off in a few months, and farmers are determined to bounce back after a challenging 2022. The country usually exports berries…

"We are looking forward to further volume growth over the next few years with some more growers/orchards coming on board"

Maungatapere Packing (MPL) is now in it's second full packing season, set up in 2021 the facility packs blueberries for the Australian export market with the very latest in blueberry packing machinery.  "Volumes have increased in our second season, although not as much as we had originally planned due to a…

Three countries account for 92% of Peruvian fresh blueberry shipments this campaign

In week 11, Peru exported 1,072 tons of blueberries, i.e. 20% more than in the same week last year, which brings the cumulative total of the current campaign (two weeks before…

Strawberry production costs in Egypt have doubled this year

Egyptian strawberry growers are complaining of unfavorable weather conditions this year, resulting in higher production costs, lower volumes, and a switch in the strawberry varieties adopted. Emad Mahdy, owner of Al Fayruz Nurseries and a consultant specializing in strawberry production, comments on this…

Bumblebees overcome pollination challenges of outdoor crops

Pollinating outdoor crops, such as orchard fruits and blueberries, can be challenging for a host of reasons, says Biobest IPM and Pollination Specialist - Spiros Kavouras. By employing bumblebees, growers can upgrade production, boosting fruit set and size and therefore yields while also benefiting from…

"In Europe Ukrainian blueberries will gain momentum"

There was a time when blueberries were a sensation for Ukrainian berry growers. Today, interest in blueberries has noticeably decreased, and there are several reasons for…

Germany: Consistent greenhouse strawberries over a long period of time

Since spring 2021, the strawberry variety 'Rendezvous' from the house of Hansabred can be found in cultivation. It is already successfully produced in the Rhineland as well as in southern Germany, but also in the entire federal region, as well as in Austria, Eastern Europe, and the Benelux countries in…

"More people are getting to know exclusive products like Spanish wild strawberries"

This month, Spanish wild strawberries appeared again in herb and edible flower merchant Van Laethem's assortment. "These have been an established part of our range for several years. As soon as the first ones are ready for harvest, we offer them," says Niel Van Laethem of this Belgian company. "Also,…

"When there are large supplies, blueberries are increasingly sold in 700 g-1 kg packs"

There were vast amounts of blueberries available during the overseas season. The volumes coming from Morocco and Spain are considerably lower, says Harm Valckx of Berry Packaging in the Netherlands. "We don't trade but pack for various customers, and most of the berries coming from Morocco have already…

Romanian organic blueberry farm launches new global brand

Făgăraș-based organic blueberry farm Dealul cu Afine launched a new global brand amid plans to reach several international markets in the next 12 months. UAE, Saudi Arabia,…

South African growers regroup after last year’s blueberry crucible

The start of the new blueberry harvest is a few months ahead and South African blueberry farmers are regrouping and looking ahead at new strategies. Managing director of Rainbow Superfood Tiaan Rossouw says he’s been pleasantly surprised by what he’s hearing within an industry that, he says, hit…

Oppy adds North Carolina to its blueberry program

Bridging the gap between Mexico and the Pacific Northwest blueberry seasons, Oppy, a grower, marketer and distributor of fresh produce from around the world has cemented its position as a year-round blueberry supplier by adding North Carolina to its mix. Oppy’s Eastern U.S. customers can look forward to…

First Scottish strawberries already at the retailers

The first of this season's Scottish strawberries were picked last week at Seahills Farm just north of Arbroath. Owned by Peter J Stirling, the farm is one of the biggest strawberry producers in Scotland. The strawberries are grown in over 10 hectares of heated tunnels. "Growers who have glasshouses…

Focus on all aspects related to quality and condition of Chilean blueberries and cherries

The postharvest of Chilean fruit is a vital stage for the export fruit industry in its competitive level and its value in world markets, especially the most important and…

US robotic company focuses on strawberries and tree crops

After successfully developing a robotic harvester for strawberries, advanced.farm co-founder Kyle Cobb and his team are already seeking out other crops that could benefit from this type of automation. Cobb: “You know, in the history of time, every piece of fresh fruit and veg that’s presented to you in…

New cart to harvest soilless strawberries and berries

Combimetal Carrera, a leading company from southern Italy specializing in the production and setting up of steel structures and manufacturer of innovative systems for the production of soilless strawberries, has developed a new cart for the harvesting of strawberries and berries.  FreshPlaza has talked about…

USDA

Movement of blueberries through Arizona, California, and Texas is expected to increase

Californian growers are fighting another round of devasting storms flooding thousands of acres in the Salinas Valley. This is happening as California farmers were getting ready to kick off the spring growing season. This will impact the U.S. agricultural market economically, and farmers are now left to…

EastFruit

Demand for offseason strawberries keeps growing in Georgia

EastFruit analysts note that Georgia is importing increasingly more strawberries. In January and February 2023, the country imported 420 tonnes of fresh strawberries – 3 times more than in the same months last year. Georgian strawberry season peaks in May and June then the supply falls off quickly. In…

Mass sales of strawberries began in Moldova

Large volumes of Greek strawberries have become available on the wholesale and retail markets of Moldova this week. The wholesale price is quite standard – 80 MDL/kg…

Total harvest of berries in 2022 amounted to 579,000 tons

In 2022, the total cultivation area (in the ground and under cover) of all berry species was 130,300 ha, while in 2021 it stood at 130,200 ha. This amounts to an increase of…

"Our goal is data-driven and sustainable strawberry production"

Crisp, fresh strawberries from local cultivation all year round: this is what the Witten-based start-up vGreens, founded in 2022, achieves thanks to sophisticated vertical farming technology. In the enclosed space of around 50m2, the popular red fruit grows and thrives in a vertical arrangement, on…

"Growing white strawberries organically leads to higher market returns"

White strawberries have been a new product on the Chinese strawberry market in recent years. They have attracted attention because the color and taste are different from traditional red strawberries, and the market price is relatively high. "Because of their special appearance, white strawberries have…

New project of gothic macro tunnels for strawberry cultivation in Spain

A new model of installation for strawberry cultivation called Berryfesta has been launched by the Spanish company J. Huete. The intention is to provide a new solution to the producers of this demanded fruit. These are gothic macro tunnels with a reinforced structure inspired by greenhouses that, at the…

Florida’s blueberries make for a tasty treat

As we enter the heart of Florida’s blueberry harvesting season, you can now enjoy the yummy fresh fruit during its finest hours, say University of Florida experts. For about…

British Columbia berry farmers concerned about cool spring

According to Meteorologist Michael Kuss, the spring forecast for the end of March and beginning of April should be average or even below average and will stay that way until…

Prices strengthening on Mexican raspberries

The supply of raspberries has been good for the past few weeks and as April approaches, it looks to be increasing. “The supply is comparable to this time last year and the season also started on time,” says Ryan Lockman, vice-president of sales and procurement for grower-owned cooperative North Bay…

"Leek prices dropped sharply last week, but they won't be cheap this season"

For many of the vegetable prices, the peak seems to be finally behind us. Products like leeks have been dropping visibly in recent days, according to Guy De Meyer of Demargro. "This week the price level has dropped some 50 eurocents to a price level of around €1.20 per kilo. That is already a lot better…

Australians invest $11.5 mln to create bot-ready strawberries

Strawberries specially bred for automated picking will soon become a reality in Australia. Scientists will naturally meld together the desired flavor, color and aroma traits.…

French blueberry sector continues to develop

Last year, the total blueberry acreage in France continued to grow at a moderate rate of 6%. Although still minor compared to other crops, this progression is atypical in the…

South African growers hope to survive slow blueberry market

Three years ago, few would have foreseen that blueberry prices would plunge by more than 50%, forcing many investors to the brink of collapse. Berry farmer Luan Swart of…

Egyptian strawberry growers complain of adverse weather conditions

The strawberry sector in Egypt is suffering disruptions due to unfavorable weather conditions, according to Mohammed Ezzat, CEO of the producer Green Nile. Ezzat explains: "The season started with a cold snap that affected the Ismailia region in particular, and damaged the strawberry crops. Later on, the…

"Our preservative pad can prolong the fresh-keeping period of blueberries by about 30%"

Blueberries are a perishable fruit, which are easily to damage during processing, and are also prone to mildew and dehydration in storage and logistics. This also brings great…

Peru will export an estimated 280,000 tons of fresh blueberries this campaign

According to Fernando Cilloniz, the president of the consultancy Inform@ccion, up until January of this year, Peru had exported 269,920,357 kilos of blueberries for…

Huelva's blueberry and strawberry production decreased by 25% and 30%, respectively

The Association of Strawberry Producers and Exporters of Huelva, Freshuelva, has calculated that, as the strawberry campaign nears its midpoint, production is 30% lower than on the same date last season and that it will be very hard to recover from this fall in the rest of the campaign. According to the…

How record rainfall is impacting California’s strawberries

Watch and wait. That’s where California strawberry growers are at following late last week’s record rainfalls and subsequent flooding in the Salinas-Watsonville region. Now, growers are still waiting for the waters to recede before potential damage can be assessed. “It’s too early to tell the number of…

EastFruit

Raspberry price cycles and forecasts for 2023

On March 16, 2023, the EastFruit project held the first online conference on the current developments in the market of frozen fruits, berries, and vegetables. The video of the conference “Shock freezing of berries, fruits, and vegetables 2023." One of the most urgent problems of the event was the…

Scenic Fruit Company recalls frozen organic strawberries and frozen organic tropical blend

This press release is updated to include the states that Aldi sold Simply Nature frozen organic strawberries. Scenic Fruit Company of Gresham, Oregon is recalling frozen organic strawberries sold to Costco, Aldi, KeHE, Vital Choice Seafood, PCC Community Markets and frozen organic tropical blend sold to…

"With the help of UAV protection technology, orchard operations have been greatly improved"

In agriculture, UAV plant protection technology is mainly used in field crops or plantations with wide and flat terrain, but less frequently in citrus orchards with hilly terrain. Recently, in an exchange with Linhai Chunshu Fruit Professional Cooperative, we learned that the cooperative pays attention…

New raspberry to extend harvest window

EarlyBell™ (‘N1237.057’) is the latest release from Pacific Berries, a joint breeding program between Plant & Food Research in New Zealand and Northwest Plant Company in…

Moroccan raspberry exports to the EU are booming

Morocco is recording a sharp increase in its frozen raspberry exports to the European Union, rising from 3,600 tons in 2020 to 16,700 tons in 2022, a fourfold increase in just…

Strawberry fields flooded in California’s Central Coast communities

A broken levee is having a huge impact on California's farming communities in the Watsonville and Salinas areas. This region is estimated to grow about one-third of California's strawberries. A levee that ruptured in the nearby Pajaro river last Friday caused more than 8,000 people to evacuate and…

Average production of 'Fortuna' strawberries has increased by 10% this season

Egypt is the world's largest exporter of frozen strawberries, and producers are increasingly replacing their traditional strawberry varieties with varieties suitable for freezing, according to Khaled Radi of the Egyptian agri-fintech company Mozare3. "Egyptian producers are now focusing on other…

Naturipe Farms hires new director of premium products

Naturipe Farms is pleased to announce John Johnston has joined its team in the newly created position of director of premium products. This new position aligns with Naturipe’s…

"While volumes are short most fruit will go to European markets where they traditionally pay more than the UK"

There has been a lot of cold weather in Spain, Morocco and Portugal which has affected the supply of fruit and vegetables but the weather is starting to get back to normal now. “Things are starting to warm up again, but Spain did have some rain causing humidity which is not good for strawberries,” said…

"Convenience remains highly valued, in the Peruvian season's last weeks too"

Despite the Peruvian grape season nearing its end, sales are still going well at Dijk Foods in Belgium. "We're currently working exclusively with those grapes. There's enough…

EastFruit

Morocco has overtaken the US in blueberry exports to become the world’s fourth largest exporter

In 2022, Morocco became fourth among the largest exporters of fresh blueberries in the world, leaving behind even the United States, where, in fact, blueberries were first cultivated, EastFruit reports. In total, exporters from Morocco exported 53 000 tonnes of fresh blueberries last year, and only three…

More than 250 million strawberry plants sold this campaign in Spain, Morocco, Greece and Italy

With more than 250 million plants marketed in this financial year 2022/2023, (15% more than the previous period), El Pinar has served in Spain, Morocco, Greece and Italy, more than 8 million plants every day, from five centers, a challenge for the company. El Pinar supplies strawberry varieties in the Mediterranean…

“The acreage for blueberries has doubled yearly over the past few years”

Blueberry acreage in Turkey has rapidly increased over recent years, says Halil Oymak of Fall Creek. Growing the soft fruit gained popularity due to the solid returns it provided: “Blueberry cultivation is a very new industry for Turkey. The acreage for blueberries has doubled yearly over the past few…

More details unveiled on berry-forward Chef Invitational event

California Giant Berry Farms shared further details about its upcoming Chef Invitational. Now in its 5th year, the event is a nationwide culinary competition that calls upon chefs to think outside the box and create innovative, original dishes featuring fresh strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and…

A look at the widespread flooding in California's Salinas Valley

On Friday, March 10, the floor of the Salinas Valley received nearly three inches of rain, while as much as six inches fell in the mountains on both sides of the valley. Additional rains were forecast in the Salinas Valley on March 13 and 14. Markon Cooperative has taken to the fields for a first-hand…

Mexican berry exports outperformed beer and tequila exports in January

In January 2023, Mexico's agri-food product exports were led by berry exports, which surpassed beer and tequila exports, which normally lead this segment. According to the…

New varieties and logistics issues top agenda for blueberry convention

The second annual South American Blueberry Convention will be held at the Monticello Conference Center in San Francisco de Mostazal, Chile on April 18, 2023. The event is organized by the International Blueberry Organization (IBO) and sponsored by ProArandanos from Peru, ABC from Argentina, Upefruy from…

Strawberry volumes in Morocco are down due to cold snap, raspberry volumes resist

After a slowdown in Moroccan soft fruit exports at the end of 2022 due to inflation in Europe which disrupted consumer behavior, the cold snap in Morocco in early 2023 dealt…

Blueberry growers should change their methods

The 11th International Blueberry Conference gathered over 500 participants from numerous European countries. There were visitors from Ukraine, Lithuania, Belarus, Germany, the Netherlands, Romania, Croatia, Great Britain, Spain, Italy, Slovakia, Georgia and even distant Jordan. Many topics were discussed…

Egyptian blueberry producers set to fill the gap in the far east market

After a harsh winter that worried blueberry growers in Egypt, they are now pleased with the increase in temperatures that coincides with a shortage of blueberries globally. Mr. Karim Fayed, operations manager of the Egyptian producer Fayed Agricultural Development Company (FATA), comments on this…

How did California’s wet winter impact Florida strawberries?

The strong supplies of Florida strawberries could slow down soon. “It has been a good high-priced season until about when the Valentine’s Day pull ends around February 9-10. Then the brakes hit just as the volume comes up. However that happens every year, though it’s worse when California is in the mix,”…

Florida strawberry farmers say imports from Mexico threaten their livelyhoods

Florida is the second largest strawberry-producing state in the U.S., after California, at a value of more than $300 million, according to the University of Florida Institute…

China Strawberry Brand Conference 2023 held in Shanghai

On March 9, the China Strawberry Brand Conference 2023 and the China Strawberry Exhibition kicked off in Shanghai. The meeting was guided by the Strawberry Branch of the Chinese Horticultural Society and the Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, hosted by the iFresh Asian Fruit Association and…

Spanish strawberries hit by cold, rain

This year's Spanish strawberry season is undoubtedly unusual. "By now, we could write a thick book about it," says Filipe Ravazzini da Silva of Wilkofruit in the Netherlands. "This year's season has been highly erratic. The first supply arrived late, and the quality's been far from optimal, partly due to…

Blueberry has become the main product in Peruvian agricultural export basket

The exponential growth of the Peruvian blueberry industry may slow down at some point, but it seems almost impossible for the production and export of Peruvian blueberries to…

"Perfect storm results in huge blueberry shortages"

In Europe, this year's blueberry supply is way down. "It's a 'perfect storm,'" says Harro van Dam of Carsol Europe in the Netherlands. "The Chilean season ended earlier than usual, while cultivation in Morocco, Portugal, and Spain are far behind due to cold. There aren't any market alternatives either,…

Southwest Japan: Growers start harvesting white strawberries

Currently, growers in southwestern Japan are busy harvesting a strawberry variety that comes in white. Five farms in Karatsu City in Saga Prefecture grow the prized fruit. The…

"Strawberry prices eventually falling depends on if people can/will pay"

The Spanish strawberry supply is struggling. As widely reported, the cold weather continues to grip that country. And, supply from the Low Countries remains limited for the time being. Still, in Belgium, Frank Valckenier of Groothandel Michel is looking forward to a nice summer. "I assume the Belgian and…

"So far we have picked twice the number of strawberries compared to last year"

"This year, because of the mild weather from fall until ten days ago, we picked larger amounts of early strawberries. However, now the colder temperatures of the past ten days have slowed down the harvest. We are still continuing the harvest, and we have already picked more than double the number of…

Nova Scotia sets aside $15 million for fruit growers who lost crops during extreme cold

Grape and other fruit growers whose crops were affected by the extreme cold weather in February will soon receive additional support to help them recover as Agriculture…

EastFruit

Morocco is a successful example of diversification of fresh strawberry exports

Exports of fresh strawberries from Morocco in 2022 set a historical record, and the country kept diversifying supplies, EastFruit informs. Fresh strawberries in Morocco, although their export volume is lower than that of frozen strawberries or of fresh raspberries and blueberries, are still one of the…

New jumbo strawberry brand launched

Strawberry season just got a bit sweeter with the debut of Naturipe Farms’ Mighty Reds™ jumbo strawberries, which come in a bigger size with more taste and sweetness. With wash away labels, sustainable packaging was created to hold up to 15 berries. “These delicious berries are so big, we can barely fit two…

“We commercially harvested the first blueberries in less than two years’ time”

It’s always exciting for a company when they decide to branch out and add a new product to their portfolio. Yigit Gokyigit, marketing coordinator for Turkish fresh produce exporter Alanar, states that for the Turkish exporter their choice for a new product had fallen on blueberries: “We had been…

US (DE): Could disused chicken houses be used to grow strawberries?

“We’re just starting,” said Gordon Johnson, a University of Delaware Extension fruit and vegetable specialist. “Come back in two months, and we should be able to tell you whether it’s working or not.” Johnson said there are an estimated 2,400 old or abandoned houses in Delmarva, meaning there’s plenty of…

Cold snap causes Moroccan blueberry volumes to drop by more than 60%

The cold snap that Morocco has been facing since the end of 2022 has severely impacted several crops, including blueberries, which have been missing from the shelves and whose prices have reached unprecedented levels. Hiba Saoudi, a Moroccan exporter of berries and red fruits, comments on this situation.…

No limit to Peru’s blueberry market expansion as it reaches the Maldives

As the Peruvian blueberry season starts to wind down there is no end to the country’s ambitions of reaching new markets with the latest being the Maldives Islands. Peru’s blue gold reached the Maldives for the first time during week 5 of the current 2022/2023 campaign. The 2022/2023 campaign of the production…

vGreens Holding GmbH

"We have built a completely separate ecosystem here"

Thanks to a sophisticated vertical farming system, Witten-based start-up vGreens can produce strawberries all year round. The plants are grown on just a few square meters, arranged vertically in the racking system, without any sunlight or other external environmental influences. "We have built a…

“We don't expect the strawberry supply to fully recover for the next 3 to 4 weeks”

Huelva's berry campaign is advancing with much lower volumes than usual due to the delay of the harvests caused by the different consecutive cold waves. Temperatures are rising again, but production is not expected to fully regain its capacity until week 13 or 14. "We are collecting many fewer kilos than…

Baja California is one of the US market's leading suppliers of berries

Mexico's blueberry production generated an economic spill of 15,000 million pesos in 2022. This success in the production of berries has occurred mainly in the state of Baja…

Cuna de Platero organizes an open day to publicize Cupla blueberries

On March 8 and 9, Cuna de Platero will hold open days aimed at the berry sector's farmers and technical personnel to publicize the Cupla blueberry variety. The attendees will be able to visit different farms that are growing this blueberry variety that was developed by Cuna de Platero's R+D+i department,…

Good feedback for Melissa and Marimbella strawberries

Thanks to the NSG Network project, Nova Siri Genetics - a research and experimentation company for new strawberry cultivars - contributes to the planning of productions between the winter months and well into summer. The subjects part of the Network use the results from the NSG research and experiment…

"We should be picking 200 and up to 300 grams of strawberries per plant, but our average now stands at 70"

In the first part of the campaign, strawberry productions have been affected by significant delays, which have become especially noticeable this past week, in which another cold snap has slowed the fruit's ripening down. "Right now, there are varieties that should already be yielding 200 and even 300…

Lower strawberry yields imminent in Benguet municipality

The Benguet municipal government admitted that the sustainable production of quality strawberries is threatened by land conversion projects in various parts of the…

Peru strengthens Forex position with 2022 record exports

Peruvian exports have grown steadily over the last two decades thanks to the joint and coordinated work of the public and private sectors. In 2022, Peru achieved a record US…

Blueberry “superusers” emerging as a growing demographic

Supplies of blueberries are on the slim side right and will likely stay that way through March. “It will be a tight month but April will be easier from a supply standpoint,” says Luciano Fiszman of Gourmet Trading Co. Florida: Gourmet Trading will begin this month with the first U.S. blueberries in 2023…

“It all started in Chile”

Peru's blueberry industry is as recent as it is successful. According to Carlos Gereda, the founder of the company Inka's Berries, a reference in the production of blueberries in the country, “Peru…

"After this year's hiccup, I expect Dutch year-round strawberry cultivation to resume"

The new Dutch strawberry season has begun at Dutch Berries. "We canceled two lit crops because of the energy crisis. Fortunately, that's over, and, in consultation with our customer, we've restarted a lit crop. Last week, we picked the first strawberries, and with that, spring has begun for us," says…

USDA

Movement of blueberries through Arizona, California, and Texas expected to increase

Of the 10% of disposable income Americans spend on food each year, 46% is for food eaten at home, and 54% is for food eaten away from home. Americans also throw away about 25% of the food they purchase for at-home consumption. Unfortunately, a whopping 40% of all food grown and produced in the U.S. is…

European strawberry season off to a challenging start

The extreme climatic development in the southern hemisphere is causing great difficulties for strawberry producers in Spain, Italy, and Greece. The frost in mid-January interrupted the sensitive fruits in their ripening period. However, the quantities are expected to be available in good quality reports…

USDA

Nearly 60 percent of Canadian fruit growing area dedicated to blueberries

Canada grows both wild (low bush) and cultivated (high bush) blueberries and blueberries are Canada's top fruit commodity by growing area and farm gate value. Blueberry acreage has expanded over the last decade with blueberry acreage experiencing sustained growth year-over-year. Wild blueberry acreage…

5th Annual Chef Invitational call for entries open

California Giant Berry Farms is accepting entries for its annual Chef Invitational. Now in its 5th year, the California Giant Chef Invitational is a nationwide culinary competition that calls upon chefs to think outside the box and create innovative, original dishes featuring fresh strawberries,…

Peruvian blueberry exports to the US grew by 31% in volume last season

The US is clearly the main market for Peruvian blueberries. Last season, Peruvian blueberry exports to the United States grew by 31% in volume and 53.9% of total Peruvian…

"We've never had a Spanish strawberry shortage in late February before"

This winter has surprised even an experienced specialist like Miguel Gonzalez of the Dutch company MG Fruit. "These sky-high prices, and for such a long time, are insane. That includes Spanish strawberries. I don't think I've ever experienced a shortage of these strawberries in late February. But…

Zimbabwe: Horti sector continues to bloom

In Zimbabwe, more hectares have been put under horticultural crops this season, and a significant jump is expected in harvests. The area under emerging crops such as…

"Swamped with requests for Top Quality Candonga strawberries"

"Demand for strawberries from Basilicata is high, but, at the moment, the most appreciated variety on the domestic market remains Sabrosa-Candonga, the cultivar selected by the Planasa nursery that has found its ideal habitat in the Metaponto area. We harvested the first Candonga strawberries already in…

How did California’s crops fare following the snow, rain, and cold?

California's weekend saw several weather events make their way through Southern California, from snow to rain to ice. How did things affect the ag industry throughout the weekend? To begin with, it did mean, at times, a closure of the "Grapevine," also known as Interstate 5, which connects Central…

Ample strawberries put pricing on promotable levels

An ample volume of strawberries is available right now. “Most of the volume we’d been expecting and waiting for came right before Valentine’s Day, with the bulk of the product coming now. So we’re in the midst of the peak of fruit down in Florida. The quality is good as well,” says Gus Pappas, Co-CEO and…

In January, blueberry shipments from Ñuble grew by 3% in volume and by 26% in value

In January, Ñuble's fresh fruit exports totaled 29.8 million dollars and experienced a 72.9% year-on-year increase. Blueberry exports stood out as they increased by 3% in…

"Strike in Peruvian production areas leads to higher domestic blueberry prices"

Judging from the data released by the origin of Peru, from January to October 2022, the export volume of Peruvian blueberries exceeded the total export volume of 207,000 tons in 2021, a year-on-year increase of 36.4%. The current production season is drawing to a close. Li Donglai, Manager of the…

Irrigación Olmos contributed 65% of Lambayeque's agro-exports in 2022

At the end of 2022 and for the third consecutive year, Lambayeque's agro-exports grew steadily, driven by agro-industrial companies installed on new land belonging to…

USDA

Peruvian blueberries through Philadelphia and New York City area ports expected to decrease

The California strawberry industry tallied up the storm damages caused by multiple atmospheric river storms from December 31, 2022, to January 25, 2023. From Ventura County in the south to Santa Cruz County in the north, the onslaught of rain, wind, and flooding caused an estimated $200 million in…

"The season will start again properly for us at the start of March"

After a long winter period during which Coöperatie Hoogstraten worked with 10 percent of volume compared to other years, the first larger volumes of Hoogstraten strawberries are slowly but surely coming back into sight. "We have one grower harvesting now, but at the beginning of March, the season can…

International Blueberry Conference in Poland addresses changes in the European blueberry market

In many countries, the costs of blueberry production have recently increased drastically. This is due to the inflation in all components related to fruit production: fuel,…

Fortuna and Rociera continue to be the most planted strawberry varieties in Huelva

As highlighted by Ifapa's estimate of the varietal composition of Huelva's 2022/2023 strawberry campaign, there is a significant decrease in the planting of the Fortuna…

"I have never experienced such high prices for Moroccan raspberries before"

In the wake of the tomatoes and cauliflower, the soft fruit supply is now also lagging far behind. "Supply is very low, and demand is very high," observes Maxim De Roeck of Fruitful- Berries from Venlo. "The Chilean blueberry season is mostly over. We will receive the last blueberries from Chile this…

Strawberry harvest prediction increasingly accurate: growers test model for kilogram prediction

Strawberry production continues with peaks and troughs. That makes accurate harvest forecasting a challenge. To date, a margin of error of about 30 to 50 percent has been accepted. Not surprising when you consider that growers still count manually and often not on a daily basis, Pieterjan Oomen points…

"Such a shortage of goods as now is only known from the past"

The cold snap in the important growing regions of Morocco and Spain, as well as the early end of the season in Chile, have led to a supply shortage on the blueberry market. "There is no question of empty shelves, because we are still able to supply the food retail sector in line with demand. However,…

Japanese Berry Pop fresh strawberry seeds now available for global markets

The Miyoshi Group from Japan has recently released two new Japanese strawberry varieties of F1 strawberry. Now, excitingly, Japanese strawberry seeds can be exported to the global market. Yuki Otsuka works in the sales department of the Miyoshi Group. The company recently exhibited at Fruit Logistica to…

Competition in the world market of berries requires quality

The Ukrainian Association 'Berry Production of Ukraine' took part in the international exhibition Fruit Logistica 2023. Because a sufficient number of exhibitors was not…

New Zealand’s kiwifruit growers begin referendum vote

From 23 February until 24 March, New Zealand’s kiwifruit growers are invited to participate in a postal and online referendum for a compulsory levy on kiwifruit exports except Australia. NZKGI Chairman Mark Mayston (L) and CEO Colin Bond (R). The proposed levy would continue to fund NZKGI’s activities…

How will abnormally low prices for strawberries in Moldova in winter affect the 2023 season?

From the very beginning of January of this year, fresh strawberries are sold in supermarkets and fresh boutiques in Chisinau. There are both imported (Greek), and local (grown…

"Smaller sizes are currently selling a lot better than thicker pears"

The pear market seems to be running smoothly during the second half of the season. "There is really nothing really holding back the pears at the moment. Trade is flowing in all directions and the markets we serve are running well," says Wendy Bangels of BP Fruitcraft. The Kortenaken-based trading…

Peach grower adopts shelf-life extension solution

Titan Farms announced a new partnership with Verdant™ Technologies to bring the post-harvest solution, HarvestHold Fresh®, to the peach industry. Titan Farms is a vertically integrated peach operation with more than 6,000 acres. Through rigorous testing, the company plans to use HarvestHold Fresh to…

Chilean blueberries did well during Chinese New Year

Chilean blueberries have performed well in the Chinese market in the 2022/23 season, especially during the run-up to the Spring Festival, since early January, and during the…

How a New Zealand grower has built and is expanding a successful multi-fruit orchard

A New Zealand fruit grower says that, while it was as challenging season weather-wise for its blueberry crop, they were still able to produce strong volumes. Pahoia Orchards is a family-owned and operated multi-crop operation situated 15 minutes north of Tauranga CBD, growing three crops currently,…

India’s first commercial exports of Purandar figs arrive in Hong Kong

The first commercial shipment of 550 kg of GI-tagged Puranadar figs from India was successfully sold to Hong Kong by a farmer producer firm in the Purandar taluka of…

Australian berry grower trials robot harvester

Fruit farmers are turning to robots to help with harvest amid a human worker shortage. One Tasmanian soft fruit farm is using 16 robotic harvesters to help pick its fruit this…

Full berry line in spotlight

With Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure: The Final Frontier fast approaching, the California Giant Berry Farms’ team is eager to showcase its offering of high-quality strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries. Berries in tow, the fruit purveyor plans to focus on its year-round supply of sustainably…

USDA announces appointments to the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has appointed 28 members and alternate members to serve on the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC). Members and alternates will serve a…

China: Avocado prices rise sharply, Australian prune market hit by Chilean stonefruit

The imported fruit market has recently been dominated by imported stone fruits, among which prunes account for the largest proportion. Due to the late arrival of Australian prunes this year, the sales have been directly impacted by Chilean prunes. The arrivals of imported avocados have been low in the…

Great blueberry development in Zimbabwe

The mission to South Africa and Zimbabwe for the presentation of Macfrut 2023 was carried out last week by President Renzo Piraccini, accompanied by Chiara Campanini of the foreign office of Cesena Fiera. Besides the official moments, it was the occasion to visit some fruit and vegetable companies and…

Jaouda Agri starts the blueberry campaign in Morocco with Blue Manila®

The blueberry campaign in Morocco started a few weeks ago with the first fruits of Blue Manila (from Planasa) produced by the African Growers Cooperative in the Jaouda farms located in Agadir and Kénitra. The extra-precocity of Blue Manila has also been favoured by the climate of the area and by the…

"In the absence of Dutch and Belgian strawberries, people are reaching for Spanish offerings for Valentine's Day"

Strawberry prices have been very high in the weeks leading up to Valentine's Day. Valentine's is obviously the best time for strawberries, but Dutch and Belgian supply is, as we know, extremely limited. "Add to that the fact that the Spanish supply also became scarcer and it results in high prices.…

Planasa inaugurates an R&D center in Mexico to launch new berry varieties in Latin America and the US

Planasa is launching a new research and development center in Jacona (Michoacán, Mexico) with the aim of obtaining new berry varieties for farmers in Latin America and the US. This new center will have a staff of 80 highly qualified employees and it's the company's fourth center worldwide, after the ones…

The delegations of France, Italy, Portugal, and Spain agree to invite Greece to join the Strawberry Contact Group

The Spanish-French-Italian-Portuguese Strawberry Contact Group recently met in Huelva. The group analyzed the impact of the increase in production costs, climatic adversities,…

La Trinidad farmers urged to adopt elevated strawberry farming

The municipal government of La Trinidad has urged farmers to produce three times their regular yield and battle the effects of land conversion by adopting elevated strawberry…

New Zealand’s 2023 kiwifruit harvest starts amidst bad weather, lower volumes expected

New Zealand’s 2023 kiwifruit harvest has kicked off amidst adverse weather, which is a challenge for some growers, while a lower volume of kiwifruit will be produced than in the previous year and the new red variety is the first to be picked. The first crop was picked this morning in Pukehina, outside…

Hi-Cane use on kiwifruit remains safe for people and the environment

This week NZKGI responded to the Environmental Protection Authority’s (EPA) Social Impact Assessment (SIA) report on the effects of their proposed hydrogen cyanamide ban, a…

Polish blueberry growers are getting ready for a tough season

The situation in the European market for fresh blueberries remains tense due to the very limited supply. After the continuous flow of large volumes of Peruvian blueberries,…

Transnet strike was disastrous for South African blueberries

South Africa’s blueberry season has come to a close, and it is one that many farmers would prefer to forget, with the negative repercussions expected to be felt for years to…