Last week's heat accelerated the flowering, although the extra early fruit campaign is still behind in Murcia

The days last week with temperatures that reached 30 degrees Celsius have accelerated the growth of the fruit, as well as the flowering of later varieties; however, the extra…

“Joy Wing Mau focuses on quality not volume for fruit sourced from Latin America to China”

The Chile based office of China’s Joy Wing Mau Group (JWM), importers and distributors of over 2 000 containers of fruit from South America to China and the rest of Asia, are looking for more suppliers to meet the insatiable demand in that region. María José García, and her colleague Claudio Salas in…

Season-to-date

Chilean plum shipments to North America 50 percent higher than same time last year

Plum supplies continue to be steady from Chile though other stone fruit varieties such as peaches have finished for the season. Nectarines: Through week 10, 22,014 tons/2,446,003 cases of nectarines have been shipped to the U.S. and Canada which represents a nine percent increase over the same time last year.…

The Region of Murcia's extra-early stone fruit harvest is expected to be 15 days delayed

Pascual Hortelano of FECOAM, the federation of horticultural cooperatives of Murcia, confirmed that the production of extra early stone fruit, which has already suffered…

Retail campaign in UK highlights the best of South African stone fruit

Extensive promotional activity has put South African stone fruit at the front of consumer and retailer minds and highlighted both the quality of product and consistency of supply. Suppliers of South African stone fruit have been carrying out a wide range of activity in recent months across a number of UK…

Europe undersupplied with stonefruit

While shipping challenges remain, due to wind and the concomitant delays all along the logistics chain, the European stonefruit market is definitely not oversupplied, says Jacques du Preez of Hortgro. “Stonefruit shipments from Chile are considerably down, as are shipments from South Africa, and…

Hungary expects normal 2023 cherry harvest season

As relatively good, warm spring weather continues across Hungary, producers in the country expect a normal 2023 cherry harvest of about 10 000 tons again. The harvest is due to start with the early greenhouse-grown cherries from May 10. According to Peter Kelemen, from the Medifruct cooperative in Hungary,…

Climate change threatens cherry harvest in Manisa, Turkey

Many of Manisa's famous cherry trees remain barren and fruitless in the Aegean region due to inadequate precipitation. The cherry trees are also being hit hard by global…

New cherry production line launched in Washington

FirstFruits Farms has introduced the construction of an advanced cherry production line at its facility located in Prescott, Washington. The production line will feature advanced technology offering total automation which results in the ability to provide customers with high-quality fruit. “We are constantly…

Angry Orchard Hard Cider is picking up the tab for drinkers who complete this classic bar trick

Can you tie a cherry stem with your tongue?

For decades, bargoers have been impressing friends and strangers alike by completing classic bar tricks. One of the most popular (and impressive!) is the ability to tie a cherry stem into a knot using only your tongue – which is easier said than done. In fact, only 15% of people possess this…

Second season of exporting to the US

Expansion of South African plum portfolio

Oppy, a grower, marketer and distributor of fresh produce, plans to continue energizing the plum category in its second season of shipping South African plums to North America. The Black Pearl plum. The opportunity emerged when U.S. authorities tightened 2021 Chilean plum import regulations following…

51.7 tons of substandard Chilean cherries blocked at Taiwanese border

According to Taiwan's Food and Drug Administration, a 51.7-ton shipment of Chilean cherries stopped at the border due to excessive levels of pesticide residues is to be…

The number of new hectares planted in 2022 is greater than the total cherry area in 2009

Chile has multiplied its cherry area by 19 in just two decades

The latest fruit land registers presented by the Office of Agricultural Studies and Policies (Odepa) reveal that the area devoted to cherry production in Chile has multiplied…

'Dovcha'; Green apricots on offer in Uzbekistan

The first dovcha is now available in the retail of Uzbekistan’s capital city of Tashkent. So far it is offered only in one store of the Korzinka supermarket chain and costs 99…

Abnormally early flowering of apricot in Moldova is a big risk

Unusually warm weather for March has set in Moldova since the beginning of this week. In the south of the country, the temperature maximum during the day approaches +15-17…

North Carolina peach growers keep close eye on spring temperatures

North Carolina peach growers are on freeze-watch until the end of April. “We’re about 20 days ahead this year compared to last year which was quite a normal year. So we’re pretty much on the backside of the blooms now--the ground is warm and there’ve been some warm rains so there’s no stopping them,”…

Funding for growers affected by February weather

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…

Zhanggezhuang cherries are emblematic of China’s rural revitalization

Zhang Huichen, a cherry farmer in Zhanggezhuang township in East China's Shandong Province, owns about ten cherry greenhouses, equivalent to approximately 20 km2 of cherry…

Chilean cherry season was one of great challenges

This cherry season has had it all, starting with the good news for the producers in the earliest areas of Chile, who obtained the highest prices per kilo in the last five…

Monika Kujundzic, French Fruit Lovers:

“The Lovita plum from South Africa has arrived in Europe!”

Lovita®, the red-fleshed, heart-shaped plum, is entering its third South-African season. “It has already arrived in Europe, and the quality promises to be very good this year, with a high sugar content,” explains Monika Kujundzic, communication manager for Lovita®. “We are now very close to what we get…

Chileprunes organizes the 10th EXPO Ciruelas Secas

Economic outlook for Chile and the D'Agen plum

“The projection of the exchange rate is one of the most relevant macroeconomic elements for the entire export and import industry,” stated Juan Pablo Subercaseaux, a fruit…

Chilean stone fruit and grapes front and center at SEPC

The Chilean Fresh Fruit Association will showcase Chilean grapes and stone fruit at Booth #721 at Southern Exposure. Visitors are welcome to stop by and see the new marketing tools available for the season and discuss what is happening in table grapes and stone fruit. In grapes, the Chilean Fruit…

Michael Oosthuizen

Carmingo apricots: beacon of light for struggling South African stonefruit sector

At a time when new stonefruit plantings have largely come to a halt in South Africa, the establishment of new Carmingo apricots still generates enthusiasm. Right: Carmingo Farlis, the variety currently croppingThe reason is strong demand and pricing in the market, says Michael Oosthuizen, manager of the…

A product that Granfrutta Zani specializes in

Off-season red plums under the spotlight

The first red plums from South Africa have started arriving in Italy, and Granfrutta Zani continues to import larger volumes every year. "We are satisfied both with the varieties and with the response of the supermarket chains. Plum is a niche product at this time, an item that is intended to complement…

Snow on apricot trees in Romagna

It does not happen everyday to see apricot trees in bloom covered in snow on the first of March. However, this is exactly what happened on the hills in the Ravenna and Bologna provinces. Snow on Wondercot apricot trees in Riolo Terme (Ravenna), 1 March 2023 (photo by the Vignoli company) "It snowed the whole morning and started…

Alabama peach growers facing uncertainty

Peach farmers in central Alabama will likely see a longer bloom period and a smaller-than-usual crop at each harvest for peach varieties with moderate or high chill…

Chile set a new record for plum exports, and Uzbekistan jumped to the top-4 globally

In 2022, Chile updated its own global record in fresh plum exports of 2019, EastFruit analysts report. Chilean fruit exporters supplied 158 000 tonnes of fresh plums worth…

Lohan Marais – Icon Fruit

USA is a meaningful destination for South African stonefruit this year

Icon Fruit, a joint venture between the Unlimited Group and Cape Fruits Produce, has a good mix of everything stonefruit, says Lohan Marais, commercial director. Right: Ruby Crisp plums“We’re seeing good Brix on stonefruit. It’s been one of the better Brix years on all varieties, especially on plums and…

"The quality of Chilean peaches and plums is good, but the purchasing power of the market is insufficient"

After the Spring Festival, imported peaches and plums have been on the market one after another, becoming the most important import category after cherries. Among them, Chilean prunes and nectarines account for a large proportion. "In recent years, the sales of Chilean peaches and plums in the Chinese…

Serbia hopes to have plant protection rights in place to export fruit plants to EU region

Ivica Djordjevic, from the family nursery ‘Kalem Djordjevic’ based in central Serbia, hope his government will conclude negotiations with the European plant protection authorities that will enable them to export stone fruit and grape plants to the EU region again. Kalem Djordjevic currently exports table…

New packing line allows expansion of cherry production by 30 percent

Superfresh Growers® is proud to announce that it will expand its sweet cherry production by 30 percent this summer, thanks to the addition of a state-of-the-art packing line. “Freshness and speed to consumers is the key to success in the cherry category,” said Robert Kershaw, CEO of Superfresh Growers. He…

Grower-shipper highlights U.S.-grown fruit offerings at SEPC

Superfresh Growers® looks forward to seeing industry friends at the Southeastern Produce Council (SEPC) Southern Exposure this week. It will display its year-round Pacific Northwest apple and pear offerings and discuss its upcoming cherry and blueberry harvests. Using the latest technology and growing practices,…

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…

Lack of chill hours might impact Georgia peach harvest

California annually produces the majority of the peaches in the US. In 2017, the Golden State produced 56 percent of the county’s fresh peach crop and more than 96 percent of…

"Cherry cultivation in Peru will be successful"

In the last edition of Fruit Logistica in Germany, Peru officially announced that it is about to enter the cherry business. According to Promperú, this fruit started to be…

Spanish nursery sells more than 400,000 bare root plants

If Viveros Hernandorena is a reference in potted stone fruit trees, it is also a reference in bare root plants in species such as almond, kaki, kiwi, quince or pomegranate, crops where monovarieties predominate and reduced variety-pattern combinations, which allows for better management of the nursery…

Cold snap could have impact on Okanagan cherries

A cold snap is on the way for the Okanagan with temperatures expected to dip into the negatives as early as today. The colder weather could put crops at risk, including…

Lack of snow to lead to lower stone fruit harvest in Himachal, India

Due to the lack of snow and rains, apple and stone fruit producers in Himachal, India are likely to have a lower harvest this year. The insufficient cold units and delayed…

FAO assists Guyana to increase cherry production

According to the United Nations (UN) organization, the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) is helping Guyana improve the output of West Indian Cherry (Acerola) and…

"In only a few hours, 100 pieces were delivered to Emilia Romagna, Sicily and Calabria."

Professional cordless thresher, an essential tool around this time of year

In some production areas, stone fruit trees have already started blossoming. There are many plants where it's in full swing, but there are also several hectares from northern to southern Italy that are about to blossom in the next few days, also thanks to the ongoing high pressure. Therefore, it is…

Week 7 Wholesale Fruit Market Report

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…

Anna Lambourne - New Zealand Apples and Pears

"The impact of Cyclone Gabrielle has been immense"

Cyclone Gabrielle has hit New Zealand farmers hard, some have lost everything. Some apple growers has just started the harvest and the orchards were full of trees with apples…

First flat peaches and nectarines harvested on Italian soil

Greenyard Fresh Italy, a company that imports and exports fresh fruits and vegetables globally, joins the Ondine Club to be one of the first to harvest the new Ondine flat varieties of peaches and nectarines on Italian soil. Flat nectarines Greenyard focuses on a close collaboration with growers. By…

Greenfields pomegranate farm in Peru to benefit 100 small farmers

Tacna in southern Peru, close to the border with Chile, is where an ambitious new pomegranate farm and pack house has been built. This will benefit 100 small farmers in this fruit fly free area in Peru says one of the founders of Evergreen Agro Farms (EGA Farms) Roberto Persivale. Aldo Fuster and Roberto…

New cherry trademark names unveiled

International Fruit Genetics (IFG) has announced three new trademark names for its growing Cheery Cherry™ line which currently includes the Cheery Moon™ and Cheery Glow™ cherries. IFG introduces Cheery Cupid™, patented as IFG Cher-ten. This is a heart-shaped fruit with a sweet-tart taste that will help usher…

"The overall market performance of Chilean imported cherries this season is better than last year"

In the imported fruit market, before the Chinese New Year, Chilean cherries were the most popular item. In this production season, under the challenge of a 25% year-on-year increase in the import volume of cherries and an early Spring Festival, what is the sales and market feedback? Freshplaza spoke to…

Week 6 Wholesale Fruit Market Report

Chilean prunes volumes exceeded last year's, volume of red grapes in Peru has increased significantly

As the production season of imported cherries draws to a close, Chilean stone fruits and imported grapes have taken over the market one after another. Imported durians have gone through the peak sales period before the Spring Festival, and prices have begun to drop. Imported blueberries have decreased in…

South African stone fruit back on track after port issues are resolved

South Africa’s stone fruit industry is back running at full speed and exporters say they are in a stronger position following last year’s port strikes. A port and rail worker strike last October caused holdups in fruit sendings out of South African ports, however with the industrial action now resolved and…

Will there be a harvest?

February frosts in Moldova could cause the loss of 30-40% of apricot tree buds

The atmospheric temperature in the north of Moldova dropped to – 5-6°C during the day and to – 9-11°C at night this week. It was a few degrees warmer in the south. However,…

Canadian fruit cooperative and cherry grower form strategic partnership

BC Tree Fruit Cooperative and Mangal Capital Inc. are excited to announce a strategic partnership for the packing of export cherries grown in the Okanagan, Creston and…

California’s early outlook sees above-average cherry season

Optimistic. That’s the view right now of the California cherry season that will get underway at the end of April. “We’re optimistic based on a very good chill season,” says Nick Lucich of Delta Packing Co. “We’ve accumulated above what we had last year on chill in all the major growing districts. There…

Hein Punt – Sawmill Fruit Packers

“This is going to be a busy packhouse”

“I’d say fruit packers are actually in the service industry,” maintains Hein Punt, general manager of Sawmill Fruit Packers, a new packing facility for its stakeholders Boschendal and Lona Citrus, whose core commodities – stonefruit and citrus – dovetail perfectly.The packhouse is situated close to the…

Argentina sends its cherries from southern Patagonia to Canada, the US, and China

The National Agri-Food Health and Quality Service (SENASA) controls and certifies the production process of cherries in the towns of Gaiman and Sarmiento, in Chubut, and Los…

123 tons of tainted Chilean cherries intercepted at Taiwanese border

Some 123 tons of Chilean cherries were denied entry into Taiwan after food safety tests showed they contained excess levels of pesticide residues, the Taiwan Food and Drug…

Chilean cherries, blueberries and plums have returned to the Chinese market

The first shipment of Chilean cherries were unloaded at the Nansha Port of Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province, on December 22. Chilean cherries, blueberries and plums…

SPM Bio, an 1-MCP exporter: "These fruits are very popular in the Chinese market"

"We are very optimistic about the 2022/23 plum and prune season in the southern hemisphere "

The 2022/23 plum/prune season in the southern hemisphere has started. With the changes in China's pandemic control policies and the drop in shipping costs, SPM Bio, the company focusing on 1-MCP is very optimistic about the 2022/23 plum and prune season in the southern hemisphere According to Debby, from…

Naturitalia's IFG club varieties

New varieties of grapes, peaches, and flat nectarines to reach other EU countries

Naturitalia's portfolio has recently expanded to include peaches, flat Ondine nectarines and three varieties of IFG grapes. "We always look for products that can meet the needs of both markets and consumers and that are economically sustainable for all operators in the supply chain," says managing…

China, US and Europe market performance:

Chile and Peru cherries, grapes and blueberry January 2023 market feedback

Chilean and Peruvian cherries, blueberries and table grapes have done well in key markets of China, the US and Europe during January 2023. The Chinese Golden week during week 4 was indeed golden for the Chilean cherry industry with a record 415 289 tons equivalent to over 82 million boxes delivered…

Tasmanian grown cherries marketing campaign runs again in Taiwan

Following a very successful 2021-22 promotional campaign, Fruit Growers Tasmania is running a second marketing campaign in Taiwan for Tasmanian cherries. Last season the digital marketing campaign achieved over 3.2 million views of the video ads on Facebook and You Tube as well as 8,500 engagements and…

Chilean cherry volume up 58 percent over last year

Chile has shipped 58 percent more cherry volume to the U.S. compared to the same time last year and Chilean cherry promotions have been in full swing since late December. In addition to point-of-sale material, videos, new recipes, custom digital ads and in-store merchandising support, the Committee has…

“Weather from February to April will have deep impact on cherry quality and volume”

Hopes are high that the weather in Turkey will play nice over the next few months, in order to have a good cherry season in 2023, says Alanar’s marketing coordinator Yigit Gokyigit: “We expect to harvest early cherry varieties in late May and the peak volumes are foreseen to be cultivated in late…

"It's all about being diverse and trying other things in the business because you can't stand still"

The Victorian stone fruit grower selling main orchard to focus on other 'exciting' opportunities

A Victorian fruit grower is in the process of transitioning out of growing, which will see the company sell its main orchard to focus on other opportunities within the produce industry. The Manto Produce & Providore business has three parts; a fruit-growing orchard, dried fruit manufacturing and a…

TR Turoni

Measuring flesh firmness has never been easier for cherries and blueberries

Cherries and blueberries have become more and more popular over the years, so much so that they have become important for international trade. As they are sold at a significant price/kg for the chain, they need to reach the final market at the right ripeness level to please consumers. For both fruits, the…

Nico van Staden – Core Fruit

Early lemon and avocado campaigns expected for South Africa

Core Fruit CEO Nico van Staden hopes that the export company, which ships a wide array of fruit to 120 ports, can catch up with grape volumes from the Western Cape; they received around a fifth less grapes from Limpopo and the Orange River Valley than usual.Core Fruit usually handles between 4.5 million…

Logistics improvements tested as Chile ships greater volumes of stone fruit

Chilean stone fruit has just begun shipping to the U.S. via vessel a couple of weeks ago. “The season was seven to 10 days early this year. We started receiving early…

Frosts affect more than 40% of the extra-early fruit in the Murcia region

The Secretary of Agriculture of the Union of Small Farmers (UPA), Antonio Moreno, estimated that the repeated frosts of the last days in large cultivation areas of the Region…

“On April 20, we'll be able to label our Baby Gold 6 and Romea peaches with an international quality label”

"The PGI Cieza peach is already a reality thanks to the government of Cieza"

"This is a very important week for agriculture and for farmers; the PGI for Peaches of Cieza is already a reality," stated the Department of Agriculture of the City of Cieza.…

Chile exported 67,000 tons of prunes in 2022

Chilean prunes exports, during 2022, reached US$ 256 million, equivalent to 67,000 metric tons (MT). China, Mexico and the UK have become the three main importers of this…

Fruit shipper introduces new specialty imported plum program

Pacific Trellis Fruit unveils four new imported specialty plum varieties. The company is gearing up for the high-flavor arrivals from Chile and South Africa beginning next month. The plums will be unveiled in two-pound clamshells under the premium Dulcinea® brand. The new high-graphic labels will pop on…

Melt van Schoor – Good Hope Fruit

Some Witzenberg apple orchards sustained 50% hail loss

Weather conditions over the last couple of months have had a severe impact on the 2023 season in the Witzenberg valley. "Multiple hail storms have had an impact on our growers, resulting in up to 50% losses on certain varieties," says Melt van Schoor of Good Hope Fruit in Ceres. "With a challenging 2022…

Campojara joins the Ondine club

Huerta Campo Jara joins the Ondine project from the heart of the region of Valdejalon, Zaragoza, in La Almunia de Doña Godina, adding to its extensive production of stone fruit species the Ondine flat nectarines and donut peaches, a portfolio of high-quality flat fruit varieties that only authorized operators can access. Alfonso…

Claudia Soler, Chilean Cherry Committee: "85% of cherry exports arrived in time for CNY"

Chilean cherries reach 24% increase in tons

Claudia Soler Bottinelli, executive director of the Chilean Cherry Committee and the entire industry have reason to celebrate the Chinese New Year – they reached a 24% increase in tons with solid sales in this period. This caps a near flawless export season from Chile, after a couple of challenging years,…

Campaign celebrates apples, bananas, strawberries, pineapples, peaches and more

Dole kicks-off 2023 with new Fruit Love stories

Inspired by classic Disney characters, Dole’s Fruit Love campaign launched with recipes, digital downloads and social interactions celebrating apples, bananas, strawberries,…

Northern Bangladesh

Rajshahi District guavas and green plums set to go to Italy

Farmers of the Bagha administrative division in Rajshahi District have learned technology-based farming, which has increased production as well. The divisional DAE office is…

Leonard Droomer - Dreemfruit

“We chose stonefruit because it’s difficult”

Ten years ago there was almost nothing but wine grapes in the Breede Valley, but growing for the wine industry is a difficult business in which, Dreemfruit’s managing director Leonard Droomer quips, “we’ve been practising how to farm without money.”Whereas the wine industry is difficult, it is not at all…

Euro-Atlantic

“Sustainability is one of our main goals”

As a leading importer and distributor of specialty fruits, vegetables and marine produce in Malaysia, Euro-Atlantic trades fruits from all over the world each year. At this moment, imports account for 90% of its business and domestic sales account for the other 10%. For Euro-Atlantic, in recent years,…

Isabel Quiroz, iQonsulting Chile:

“Most successful season for Chilean cherries in China”

“Today Thursday, January 19, 3 days to the end of pre-Chinese New Year sales, we can say it has been a great season in China for Chilean cherries and the most successful in terms of the volume placed, rapid movement and attractive prices. Until week 3 in 2023, there are more than 55 million boxes 5 kg…

Jeff Chambers - PurePac

Early CNY good for New Zealand cherry exports, but challenges ahead

The New Zealand cherry harvest is well underway, the first harvest for the domestic market took place on 15th of December at PurePac, based in Cromwell, Central Otago. This was followed by the first picking for export on 23rd December. “A cold snap in November meant we were around a week later than normal…

The Chinese port of Dalian opens a direct sea route to import cherries from Chile

The Xinhua Agency has reported that the GSL Tinos ship, loaded with 616 TEUs of Chilean cherries, docked at the container terminal in Dalian after a 22-day journey. 592 TEUS…

Asoex and Alibaba release 2022 Chilean Cherry Trend Report:

"Good opportunities for enormous future growth of Chilean cherries in China"

The Chilean Fruit Exporters Association (Asoex) and Alibaba Group’s B2C Fresh Business Unit released this year’s “2022 Chilean Cherry Trend Report.” The report showed that Chile is the world’s largest cherry exporter in terms of volume. Despite a recent decrease in the export volume of Chilean cherries…

Michael Oosthuizen - International Plant Selection

Momentum builds with more adaptable Carmingo & Rubyngo apricot cultivars

The first of the Carmingo® apricots varieties grown commercially in South Africa, Faralia, is already off the trees and flown out to the United Kingdom where there is a shortage of apricots and prices are high. Right: Michael Oosthuizen, left, with Arthur Bois, Carmingo breeder and Pierre Burger, the…

Tony Coad - Reid Cherries

Recent good weather means plenty of Tasmanian cherries for Chinese New Year

The weather in Tasmania was cold and overcast a lot through late November and December which delayed the start of the cherry harvest by about a week to 10 days. Tasmanian cherry grower Reid Fruits started picking cherries in the first week of December with some small volumes of a Japanese variety which…

More NZ exports flown out to Asia for Chinese New Year

As more flights are going out to Asian destinations just before the Chinese New Year, Christchurch Airport chief executive Justin Watson says it’s a peak period for exports:…

Queensland growers are looking at bumper stone fruit crop

NSW stone fruit harvest hurt by disease and floods

Consumers in New South Wales can expect to see a rise in the cost of stone fruits following a poor harvest brought on by record rainfall in late 2022. The flood-affected Central…

South Africa's electricity tariff hike will hinder agriculture

South Africa's National Energy Regulator (Nersa) announced that a tariff increase of 18.65% has been granted to the energy provider Eskom for the 2023/24 tariff year. Although…

Penny Reidy - SA Produce Market

Late South Australian cherry harvest wrapping up

It was a difficult start to the South Australian cherry season due to the weather, which resulted in a late start and much reduced volumes. "Most of the SA growers are wrapping up the season with the Tasmanian cherries now servicing the domestic market," explains Penny Reidy, SA Produce Market, Marketing…

Cherry packer and exporter goes for blueberries, kiwis, grapes, apricots and pomegranates as well

“In the next couple of years we’ll be the largest blueberry exporter in Greece”

The cherry season in Greece has been good despite lower demand, says Levent Sadik Ahmet, CEO of cherry packer Yaka IKE: “We had quite a successful cherry season in 2022, although the global markets were reluctant and demand was lower compared to previous years. Our important markets in central Europe are…

ASOEX signs MoU with the operator of the Port of Dalian and Maersk:

A new route for Cherry Express and other Chilean fruits in China

As part of the celebration of the first arrival of a Cherry Express to the port of Dalian in China, ASOEX signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the operator of the port of Dalian, Liaoning Port Group, and the shipping company Maersk to improve the import of Chilean cherries and other fresh…

Versatile peaches and nectarines from South Africa focus of UK campaign

South African producers will be highlighting the versatility of nectarines and peaches as they look to excite UK consumers about new-season stone fruit – but it comes with a warning that returns must match investment on farm if the sector is to grow. A 13% increase in nectarine exports is forecast for this…

Chilean cherries in China see smooth sales and container movement

As this year’s very early Chinese New Year celebration draws near, on Sunday 22 January, Chile has seen very good sales and movement of hundreds of containers per day since the end of December last year. According to Hernán Garcés Gazmuri, from the Garces Fruit office in Shanghai, China: “The first half…

Pietie Wolfaardt – Ceres Cascade Farms

South African stone fruit looks to make up lost ground

In the orchards of Ceres Cascade Farms in Prince Alfred Hamlet, where it is not unusual to see all manner of wild buck undisturbed by orchard activities, the stone fruit harvest is firing on all cylinders for the next two months, says Pietie Wolfaardt, owner of Ceres Cascade Farms.They’ll be picking…

The experience of an Apulian producer

Super-early blooming nectarine trees at least 25 days earlier in Italy

Southern Italy has so far lacked the right number of hours of cold weather for peach and nectarine plantings, and higher than average seasonal temperatures have pushed plants of super-early varieties, such as Early Bomba, Flariba, Patagonia and Zincal, into even earlier flowering. Flowering Early Bomba nectarine trees…

Raphaël Martinez, AOP Peaches and Apricots of France:

“We start the year with interesting and highly motivating dynamics”

The organization of producers Peaches and Apricots of France mobilized its technical network last week at the Chamber of Agriculture of the Gard department in order to take stock of topics of interest to French producers of stone fruit and also to prepare the upcoming season. This year, nearly 50…

The price of Indonesian mangosteen has increased 30% comparing to Dec

This year, the Chinese New Year will take place from 22 January which is much earlier than in previous years. "Approaching the Chinese New year, the demand from China for Indonesian mangosteen has started to increase. We hope that demand will continue to increase in the coming 2 weeks." Chintya Tjoeng,…

Ota Market, Tokyo

Yamagata cherries fetch record-breaking price at first auction of the year

In the northeastern “Fruit Kingdom” that is the Yamagata Prefecture, the most perfect cherries are being grown in local greenhouses; sweet and sour Sato Nishiki cherries are…

Mattina Fresh Stone Fruit - Tom Panna

"We are sustainably sharing the costs with our customers and supply chain - everyone is invested together."

A Victorian stone fruit grower says it has been fantastic to see a balance across the supply chain between the cost of production and keeping prices affordable, in a year of looming challenges on multiple fronts. One of the biggest concerns from a wide range of fruit and vegetable producers, not just…

"Ondine's size profile and unique flat shape make it an ideal snack fruit, being easier to hold than conventional round peaches or nectarines"

New flat peach and flat nectarine series launches in select Australian retailers

WA Farm Direct and N&A Group have launched the Ondine™ series of flat peach and flat nectarine varieties in the Australian market this week with larger volumes available through select retailers for the first time this year. The Ondine™ series is an exciting new addition to the stone fruit category, with…

Baden-Württemberg and Lower Saxony produced around two-thirds of the apples harvested in Germany

Dreamstime

Above-average apple and plum crop

The apple is by far the most harvested tree fruit in Germany. As reported by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) on the basis of final harvest results, around 1.1…

Plum yield 5.6% above average of the years 2012-2021

German apple yield in 2022 was 10.3% above average of the last ten years

Apples are by far the largest group of orchard fruit harvested in Germany. Based on final harvest results, the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) reports that approximately…

Taiwan rejects 8.4 tons of Chilean cherries over chemical residues

Taiwan's Food and Drug Administration has ordered four shipments of Chilean cherries -for a total of 8.4 tons- be returned or destroyed after failing border checks due to excessive…

NZ cherry growers to bounce back after several rough years

New Zealand cherry growers are hoping to put a couple of tough years behind them as they eye a more positive growing and export season. The past two years had been challenging…

Jon Clark- FGA Farming

“With an early crop and large volume it has been a blessing that CNY is early"

The Chilean cherry harvest got off to an early start last year, more than week earlier than the previous year. Jon Clark Managing Director at FGA Farming, the UK/European arm of Chilean producer Gesex and San Clemente, “It has been a very early season, 7+ days ahead of last year. Harvest is finishing a…

January sees multiple arrivals of southern hemisphere cherries each week

The outlook for this year’s South America cherry season is bright. Chile, the world’s largest cherry growing country, is expected to see a production increase of about 25 percent compared to last year and Argentina’s production is forecast to be similar versus last year. “We are shipping from both…

US experts concerned about the impact of warm winter weather on fruit crops

Nikki Rothwell with Michigan State University Extension oversees the Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Center in Traverse City, which experienced several days near or…

"We have rescued plums from going to landfill and we have put them in a delicious sorbet"

The Australian frozen treats saving imperfect plums and reducing food waste

A new partnership between a leading Australian stone fruit grower and one of the country’s most popular ice cream brands has helped save imperfect premium plums that were destined for landfill this summer. Montague and Peters Ice Cream have launched frozen fruit sorbet sticks called Rescue Pops-Plums Up,…

Delegations of US retailers and wholesalers visit Chilean cherries and stone fruit farms

Several delegations of US retailers and wholesalers have made full use of being able to travel again to visit Chilean cherries and stone fruit farms over the past few weeks. The delegations were hosted by Asoex, the Chilean Association of Fruit Exporters as well as their US based team. Gesex showing…

The first chartered ship arrives at the port

Joy Wing Mau and China Eastern Air Logistics assist the China-Chile cherries trade

On January 4th, Beijing time, the refrigerated cargo ship Regal Bay, loaded with more than 4,300 tons of cherries, arrived at Shanghai Nangang Port successfully. This batch of cherries was the first time in the fruit industry that the entire ship has been refrigerated and transported to China in the mode…

Week 1 Wholesale Fruit Market Report

Imported cherries dominate the market, and durian prices continue to rise

It is the peak period of fruit sales from New Year's Day to the Spring Festival. The fruit wholesale market is full of people, and the types and quantities of imported fruits continue to increase and Chilean imported cherries are the leading the pack. With the successive arrivals of sea freight, Chilean…

Hong Kong: Port handles record reefer boxes on Hapag-Lloyd's Cherry Express Service

Hapag-Lloyd's Manzanillo Express arrived in Hong Kong Port from Valparaiso, in Chile with a record number of 1,222 reefer containers onboard, which were discharged in Hong…

Moldovan plums expand their foothold on the German market

Thanks to the partnerships established between Moldovan producers and German importers, Moldovan plums are gaining an increasingly high share of this market, and importers are looking for new suppliers of Moldovan plums every year. According to Iurie Fala, CEO of Moldova Fruct, the country’s fruit growers…

“Brazil will import about 700,000 boxes of Chilean cherries in this campaign”

Three days before the start of the new year, Chilean cherry shipments registered a rise in the Brazilian market. “To date, Brazil has imported 630,000 boxes of cherries. By…

Record number of Chilean cherry containers in a single stopover at the port of Hong Kong

Manzanillo Express, a Hapag-Lloyd ship and part of the Cherry Express service that operates from November to February, arrived at the Port of Hong Kong from Puerto Valparaíso…

Iván Marambio: President Asoex, Chile

Chilean cherries, table grapes and blueberries ready for 2023

The year 2023 will be a year of adaption and adjustment to new conditions says Iván Marambio, President of the Chilean Association of Fruit Exporters (Asoex). With cherries, table grapes and blueberries from this South American country being shipped in boat loads to world markets, the recovery of the…

South Australia: Cherry season extended with fresh produce still available

In South Australia, the cherry season is still going strong and will continue to see a prosperous harvest in the remaining season. We are very blessed in SA to have fresh…

South Island delicacies flown to Taiwan from Christchurch Airport

China Airlines has scheduled eight dedicated B777F freight aircraft between Taipei and Christchurch during January. The services will transport 800 tons of high value exports,…

100% increase in early exports compared to last season

Over 200,000 tons of Chilean cherries exported in first two months of 2022/2023 season

Global Chilean cherry shipments this year are estimated to reach a record high of 447,000 metric tons, a sharp increase of 25% over the previous season. At the same time, factors such as an early Chinese Spring festival in 2023 have brought many new changes to the market. In order to help cherry distributors…

Aerolineas Argentinas will acquire freighters for the first time this year

This year, Argentina-based airline Aerolineas Argentinas will acquire freighters for the first time. The government-owned airline, based in Buenos Aires, currently has a 100%…

TCO golden nectarines are bigger in size than last season

The 2022-2023 production season of The Chosen Ones (Tianjiao) starts smoothly

The picking season for The Chosen Ones® (TCO) golden nectarines begins in the third week of December. The taste and quality of the TCO stone fruit this season has consistently exceeded market expectations. Despite a late start to the Australian stonefruit season this year, the TCO golden nectarines are…

Stefano Lugli

Stoneless cherry varieties are the new frontiers of breeding

The next edition of Macfrut (May 3-5, 2023) will host the Nursery and Varietal Innovation Salon, an occasion to assess the current situation on a global level. FreshPlaza has therefore decided to interview research experts on the different fruit species. Today, we are discussing cherries with Stefano…

Cherry pickers have been working hard in Central Otago

Labor troubles are easing slightly for NZ fruit growers

Labor worries seem to have mostly disappeared in Central Otago. While fruit had been left to rot in some parts of Central Otago over the past couple of years due to heavy rain…

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