SWISSCOFEL, the Swiss Fruit, Vegetable and Potato Trade Association, celebrated its 25th anniversary on Friday, May 9, at its 25th General Assembly. Several elections were held due to personnel changes on the board. To mark the anniversary, this year's General Assembly was held on a Friday as an... read more

Last week, the first avocados of the season from ZZ2, a Limpopo-based enterprise, arrived in Shanghai before Peru. South Africa's shipping time to China is at least five days shorter than from the South American country. Despite a positive response from the market, they are still. read more

Genetics plays a crucial role today in building efficient horticultural supply chains oriented towards consumers: it impacts production margins, logistical efficiency, supply continuity, and most importantly, perceived quality and customer loyalty. read more

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released its 2024-2025 Florida all-orange production forecast, estimating a total of 11.6 million boxes. This represents a slight increase of less than 1% from the previous forecast but a 36% decrease from last season's final production figure. read more

Walter Gubbels, a Dutch asparagus grower, reflected on the excellent start to the greenhouse asparagus season in early April. "We took a big risk by focusing on greenhouse cultivation, but we began early in our two-hectare greenhouse and really worked hard. This year, it has paid off as the prices are excellent," he said. read more

The American Floral Endowment (AFE) is inviting the floral community to once again R.I.S.E. to Support the future of floriculture. The annual fundraising campaign runs from May 15 through June 30 and encourages the floral community to come together and give back to the industry. R.I.S.E. stands read more

Join Koppert at GreenTech Amsterdam from June 10-12 – the global gathering for professionals in horticultural technology. This year, the company will be showcasing a new innovation: Natutec Airobreez, a handheld blower designed for the efficient and delicate dispersal of natural enemies. read more

Saudi Arabia: Lulu's 'Australia Week' showcases growing bilateral trade. Running until May 17, Australia Week 2025 features over 960 high-quality Australian products from 129 top brands. Shoppers can discover a curated selection of premium meats, fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products, frozen goods, and more. read more

Chiquita Panama, a subsidiary of Chiquita Brands International, has halted production at several banana farms due to a strike that began three weeks ago and has resulted in approximately $10 million in losses for the company, according to a statement by the company. The workers initiated the strike after Panama's congress approved a... read more

The average wholesale prices of bananas from Latin America and the Caribbean exhibited significant fluctuations between week 17 (ending April 27, 2025) and week 18 (ending May 4, 2025) in different European countries. In Greece (EL), prices slightly decreased from €121 per kilogram in week 17 to €123. read more

The story of the rose is one of beauty, evolution, and mystery. Researchers in China have made a groundbreaking discovery that traces the modern red rose back to a 30-million-year-old yellow ancestor. This finding sheds light on the evolutionary journey of one of the world's most beloved flowers. read more

Gardeners are encouraged to offer ripe bananas to birds, especially during the warmer months when birds need additional energy and hydration. Bananas provide essential nutrients such as potassium, vitamin B6, and carbohydrates. To serve, slice or mash the banana and place it on bird feeders or scatter it around the garden. read more

The main agri-food markets in Northern Italy closed 2024 with solid balances, expanding projects, and a common re-launch strategy based on sustainability, innovation, and connection with the territory. Padua, Verona, and Udine, reference entities in the Italmercati network, are read more

The development of the current berry season in Huelva has been affected by adverse weather conditions, but the Cupla variety has still been producing good results. Despite strawberries being the most prominent product in terms of volume for Cuna de Platero, the company, which works with [...] read more

With IPS Small, TopControl is introducing an innovative solution designed specifically for the needs of the berry industry. This intelligent system combines automatic checkweighing, fast and precise weighing stations, labeling, and data networking to create a highly efficient packaging line that... read more

The beating heart of the tenth edition of Think Fresh was not only the workshop, rich in data and strategic reflections, but also - and above all - the networking moments that animated the event. Encounters with old and new friends among the main players in the supply chain. read more

Recent price data indicates a significant increase in the prices of bananas from Colombia and Panama. In Colombia, the average price of bananas has risen from £1.04 per kilogram in the previous week to £1.10 in the current week, representing a £0.06 increase, which is roughly a 6% rise. This upward trend has been observed. read more

Sustainability has emerged as a key aspect of responsible floriculture in the last decade, with growing expectations across the supply chain. The Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association (EHPEA) and MPS have been actively involved as creators and promoters of certification standards. read more

The commercial launch of a new table grape variety involves approximately 10 to 15 years of research and trials. "About 10,000 initial plantings are narrowed down to 5,000 and then to 1,000," says Ben Taieb, Licensing Manager at Sun World. The remaining varieties are then transferred to test blocks for further evaluation. read more

The demand for domestic pears appears to have decreased slightly, which could help prolong the availability of the short 2024 Pacific Northwest crop. "The late-season sales are currently slow, likely due to the influx of South American imports into the United States, Mexico, and Canada." read more