Maritime UK, the umbrella organisation for the UK’s maritime sector, has appointed Chris Shirling-Rooke MBE as its new Chief Executive Officer. He will move over from Mersey Maritime to Maritime UK in the early summer and we thank Mersey Maritime for helping to facilitate a seamless transfer. read more

When Michele Bernocco, an entrepreneur from Ruvo di Puglia (BA) who, over the past few days, uprooted his cherry orchard covering one hectare, it was an act of despair. read more

Not waiting for better prices has proven to be the winning strategy of the Portuguese avocado season, says Rocio del Pilar Rodrigues, sales director of Portuguese avocado exporter Global Avocados: “Our avocado campaign has evolved very positively. Fortunately, last season we decided to follow
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Delays at the border are being blamed for a halving in exports of British fruit to the EU, as well as impacting other sectors such as dairy and flowers. Data from HMRC shows that in the year to 31 March 2021, the UK sold £248.5m worth of fruit to the EU, which dropped to £119m the next year,
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In the Netherlands, Polder Potato's Anton Riezbos has managed to get his hands on the first cold-soil Frieslanders. The early potatoes come from the De Jong company. read more

Frutura, a global sales and marketing network, will begin marketing its Hass avocados in North America under the Frutura brand, beginning in the 3rd quarter of 2023. read more

Winds exceeding 100 km/h hit western, northern, and central Sicily on May 19th and 20th. Greenhouses covered in (old) plastic films and polytunnels were damaged, as well as many blossoming citrus fruit groves and orchards in full production. The immediate effects were apricot and peach drops, as
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Zespri International is funding research to understand the lifecycle of the brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) on organic and conventional kiwifruit in China, part of its native range. Now, Chinese scientists are making progress which could help prevent the brown marmorated stink bug
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The benefits of brackish soil for crops are well known by now but never before have tomato plants been seen on the seafront. It happens in Bari where - as reported by Corriere del Mezzogiorno - the fruits grow among the accumulations of posidonia (an aquatic plant, ed.). read more

"Vegetable production in Ukraine in 2023 will not return to pre-war 2021 production volumes, and the overall market decline is estimated at 25-30%, although this percentage differs for different crops"- Ivo Kyumyurdjiev, director of Rijk Zwaan Ukraine. read more

They not only feed entire communities but also help save lives. The role, too often mistreated, of agricultural producers is back in the limelight in these days of climate disaster in Emilia-Romagna. read more

Eating foods like apples and blackberries may help lower your chances of developing frailty. Frailty is generally characterised by issues like reduced muscle strength and fatigue. Now, new research suggests plant-based foods that contain dietary compounds called flavonols could potentially be
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Dole Food Company Hawaii, part of Dole plc, has launched a hands-on, behind-the-scenes agricultural tour of the original Dole pineapple farm on Oahu in Hawaii. For visitors and locals wanting an authentic, small-group, locally guided tour, it’s the only experience of its kind on Oahu. read more

The potential of artificial intelligence (AI) is an important key to reducing food waste. That's why a total of 31 partners from industry, trade, research as well as associations and NGOs have joined forces in the
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For more than half of the Dutch, meeting their daily O+G needs is a challenge. Every week Albert Heijn offers O+G (out of season), fresh packs with many seasonal varieties and of course the price favourites. Now the supermarket chain is going even
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The cedar from Santa Maria del Cedro has finally entered the European Register of Protected Designations of Origin and Protected Geographical Indications (see Official Journal of the European Union, 17/05/2023). read more

UK: Asda extends popular £1 kids café meal deal this May half term read more

The cultivated mushroom sector is looking back on an eventful year due to inflation and cost increases since the start of the Ukraine war. "The harvest volume of organic mushrooms from our exclusive supplier Bio Pilzhof Leipzigerland has been stable and is still around 14 tons a week, but the
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Cooperativas Agro-alimentarias Castilla-La Mancha and Globalcaja have re-signed their collaboration agreement with the aim of continuing to strengthen ties between the two organisations and to carry out training and promotional activities, with a focus on internationalisation, among other initiatives. read more

"The Ministry of Agriculture has earmarked EUR 100 million for compensation for agricultural companies and a further EUR 75 million from the innovation fund for the purchase of machinery for damaged companies.   read more