We are pleased to present to you the latest issue of "The Blueberry Grove", which, just like the beginning of the new growing season, has been a time filled with challenges, changes, and important decisions. The recent months have clearly shown that the production of berries is entering a new phase. read more

Following the journey of an apple, the symbol of Val di Non, to find oneself, as if by magic, in a space as original as it is suggestive: the deep heart of the Dolomites. It's not a dream but a concrete proposal that guarantees an unforgettable experience for visitors. read more

Social media and digital food trends are influencing the popularity of potatoes, as reported by Bord Bia. Online content showcasing dishes like loaded jacket potatoes and cheese-stuffed sweet potatoes has played a role in raising their visibility. Bord Bia references research showing that younger consumers are particularly influenced by these trends. read more

The World Processed Tomato Council (WPTC) estimates global production of processed tomatoes to be around 40.4 million tonnes in 2025, which is a decrease of 12% compared to the previous year. This decline is primarily attributed to a significant drop in Chinese production by 53%. Conversely, Italian production in 2025 surpassed 5.8 million tonnes. read more

Egypt has doubled its export of frozen strawberries to Poland, setting a new record and strengthening its dominance in the European market. In 2025, Poland imported 62,200 tons of Egyptian frozen strawberries worth over 70 million euros. This represents a volume 2.2 times

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Ukraine's vegetable market is entering an active phase in March 2026 with the start of early imports, mainly potatoes and onions from Turkey and Egypt. Domestic producers selling stored stocks are facing stronger competition, prompting adjustments in pricing and sales strategies. Imported early... read more

Egypt's National Food Safety Authority (NFSA) reported export activity between March 28 and April 3, 2026, with a focus on fresh produce shipments. During the period, Egypt exported 5,065 consignments totaling around 230,000 tons, handled by approximately 1,400 companies and covering nearly 730. read more

The merger of wholesalers Gebr. van Hezik and Robert Vissers resulted in the formation of AGF Kerkdriel 20 years ago. Each day, Robert Vissers drives to the Brussels import center to procure imported fruit for his customers. "We stumbled upon it by accident once and enjoyed it so much that we continue to go there." read more

In week 12, the first spears of this year's season were already harvested at the Kallen farm. The Prius and Rakete varieties marked the "record-early" start to the season, although they could have started even a week earlier, notes Helena Kallen, who runs the Dormagen-based asparagus farm. read more

Supermarket Piccolo (VéGé) arrives at the Vulcano Buono shopping center in Nola (Na) with a 2,500 square meter superstore and a team of 100 employees. The adopted format reflects the formula already tested with fresh departments and laboratories with visible production, a bar area, and a bistro area. read more

Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. reported results for the third quarter of fiscal 2026 and updated its full-year outlook. "Driven by continued solid performance in our North America segment, we delivered another quarter in line with our expectations," said CEO Mike Smith. He added that the company is read more

Mangos can soften and deteriorate within a few weeks at room temperature, with the fruit turning yellow, softening, and breaking down at the cellular level in warm conditions. A study on the "Tainong No.1" variety in China has shown that storage at 12°C can extend the shelf life to over three weeks. read more

Spring has officially sprung and the fruit and vegetable sector is filling up with colors and scents ready to conquer the consumer. This vitality is also reflected on social media, where Focaccia Art has emerged as the creative trend for those who want to combine culinary inspiration. read more

The data released by ISTAT regarding retail sales in February show a year-on-year increase in value of +1.6%, accompanied by a slight decrease in volume of -0.1%. In the food sector, a more pronounced negative trend in volumes of -0.5% is recorded. read more

The fruit and vegetable sector is getting ready for one of the most ambitious editions ever with Macfrut 2026. Under the guidance of Patrizio Neri, president of Cesena Fiere, the event is undergoing a profound transformation, significantly defined by Neri himself as "Macfrut 2026". read more

Onions from Spain have become one of the preferred options in many Moroccan markets, primarily because of their lower price. While domestic onions cost around 18 dirhams (approximately 1.67 euros) per kilogram, imported ones are priced between 8 and 10 dirhams, making them more attractive to consumers. However, some individuals believe... read more

An industry-first briefing that connects developments in the Middle East with potential impacts on the fresh produce sector has offered businesses guidance on how to prepare for continued geopolitical uncertainty. The International Fresh Produce Association Australia–New Zealand hosted a discussion on this topic. read more

An experiment conducted in the fruit-growing area of Saluzzo (Cuneo) evaluated the effectiveness of Fomet products in the foliar nutrition of the Angeleno plum cultivar. The objective was to understand if the targeted use of Vigoramin® Power, Kick Extreme®, and Kappabrix® could have an impact on read more

Dutch horticultural automation specialist Gearbox has expanded its management team by appointing Kees de Jonge as Head of Commerce. De Jonge brings over 25 years of senior leadership experience to the role, including a stint as Director Food & Agri at Rabobank. read more

At the end of the first week of April, both the last winter cucumbers and the first spring cucumbers from the island of Crete are available on the market. However, I believe that after Orthodox Easter, the winter season will come to an end, while spring cucumbers will enter full production. read more