Worse than running out of potatoes on supermarket shelves, potato processing factories can't afford a stock-out. Yassen Abdelhay, export advisor at Arafa Group, reports on the crucial period for European factories from February to May 2023, and how Egyptian producers played a key role during
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The Parliament's rejection of the proposed Regulation on the use of phytosanitary products is evidence that food production and safety are beginning to be taken into account, according to FEPEX. read more

In the Netherlands, Oxin Growers and its broccoli growers recently reviewed the past season and looked ahead to next year. "We concluded that, generally, it's greatly challenging. Growers face substantial cost increases, the weather significantly affects production, and there's limited available
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It has been a good year for Tipo persimmons when it comes to prices, although there have been a few issues with quantities and quality. Antonio Zani, sales manger at Granfrutta Zani, reports that "we have registered a 25% drop in production due to the flood, frost and hail, the lack of rain
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Adrian Scripps, one of the most important growers of apples ever to the farm in the UK, died last weekend aged 86. read more

Zespri, the world’s largest kiwifruit marketer, has established a US$2m fund to support industry innovation and partnerships. read more

Despite talking a good game on sustainability and encouraging growers to reduce the use of pesticides, UK supermarkets have so far been slow to embrace PCN-resistant varieties of potato. read more

South Africa’s final export figures for 2023 put the industry behind its projection to reach 260m cartons within ten years. The Citrus Growers’ Association (CGA) said the final figure for 2023 was substantially below the anticipated growth curve based on plantings. read more

Despite enormous international competition, hazelnuts are increasingly becoming the focus of German producers. The first Thuringian Hazelnut Day at the Teaching and Research Centre for Horticulture (LVG) in Thuringia focused on the opportunities and pitfalls that this special crop can bring in this country.
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These checks are carried out in addition to the regular system audits by the certification bodies. This year's store checks from summer 2023 show that the blue QS certification mark was visible to consumers in all of the food retail outlets inspected and that fresh and pre-packed
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For her, there is no question: "If the law is consistently developed further, it will strengthen the position of small and medium-sized producers in particular and help to limit the market power of food retailers." read more

"The SUR is dead as a doornail and this also means a missed opportunity for European harmonisation," comments IVA Managing Director Frank Gemmer: "Starting with a poorly crafted proposal from the Commission and the excessive tightening in the Environment Committee
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SAHYADRI FARMS, India’s largest Integrated fruits & vegetables project, to host an extraordinary event that promises to redefine the future of the Indian Fresh and Frozen Fruits & Vegetable industry – the “Fresh India Show 2024.” Set against the stunning backdrop
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The European Parliament has rejected a Commission proposal to cut the use of chemical pesticides by a large majority after a backlash from farmers. read more

This decision comes after months of work to make the European institutions aware of what this draft legislation could entail for the fruit and vegetable sector if certain critical issues were not adequately addressed. read more

The Chilean Cherry Committee has cut its forecast for the 2023/24 season following recent adverse climatic events. The new estimate pegs the export crop at 81.478m cartons (5kg), 14.6 per cent down on the first forecast in October and 1.89 per cent lower than last season’s shipment total. read more

Shipping giant Maersk has clarified its position on the inclusion of Cape Town on its schedules following congestion at the South African port.  read more

"Blanket bans and impractical requirements that would have jeopardised the existence of many farms were clearly rejected by a majority of MEPs. We continue to favour the cooperative approach, i.e. cooperation between nature conservation and agriculture.
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Chilean Federation of Fruit Producers (Fedefruta) president Jorge Valenzuela said that the scenario looks “complicated for fruit producers in the country” and that growers are focusing on salvaging as much fruit as possible. As for the impact on export volumes, Valenzuela said that damage
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In 2022/23, the total was 131,252 tons, according to a recent USDA report. The United States remains the largest supplier of apples by volume but the market shares of Japan, New Zealand, and Chile are all extremely close behind. New Zealand’s tariff-free access and Japan’s high reputation
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