Japanese fruit imports have dropped to their lowest levels in five years with rising production and freight costs and a weak yen contributing to a challenging environment for importers. read more

New Zealand food exports grew by over NZ$8bn in 2022, but there was a decline in trade value for some of the country’s key fresh produce lines. read more

The Californian strawberry industry is counting the cost of recent storm damage with hundreds of acres of property damaged. read more

While South Tyrol’s apple orchards enjoy a welcome rest, one of its leading brands, Marlene, continues to engage with consumers via a series of international marketing initiatives and sponsorships, each designed to highlight its close relationship with sport and the mountains. read more

The Global Coalition of Fresh Produce (GCFP) has released a report analysing the current global trading environment for fresh fruits and vegetables. read more

The Fairtrade Foundation has been awarded Superbrand status for 2022/23 in recognition of the strength of its brand and public perception in the UK. read more

Social retail enterprise Community Shop has urged the food and drink industry to maximise the value from its surplus stock after revealing a doubling in demand for its services. read more

Reports of a single strain blight pathogen in Denmark – where some samples were shown to be resistant to the CAA group of blight fungicides – has reinforced advice for growers and agronomists to prevent it occurring in the UK. read more

Eurofins Food & Water Testing UK has announced the acquisition of a micro testing business in Scotland.  read more

Fresh Inset and Janssen PMP have signed an evaluation and standstill agreement to test and develop Fresh Inset’s Vidre+ technology on fresh produce and ornamental plants. read more

The Board of Appeal of the European Union’s Community Plant Variety Office (CPVO) has confirmed the Community Plant Variety Right No. 14.111 for the Nadorcott mandarin variety. read more

Malaysia’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (Mafs) has revealed its plans to focus on growing the country’s fresh produce exports in 2023. read more

Flexible packaging and lidding films supplier KM Packaging has officially set up an Australian business entity. read more

Technology solutions to the irrigation crisis are up for discussion at an event on innovation in water and agriculture, hosted by AgriTechE. read more

UK vegetable producer Riviera Produce, located in Cornwall, is adapting to the increased likelihood of summer heat waves brought on by the climate crisis and has warned the UK of the dangers of depending on food imports in future. read more

The African Development Bank (AfDB) and the UN’s International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) have signed a letter of intent in support of the pan-African Mission 1 for 200 (M1-200), a joint initiative to “reduce Africa’s food import dependency, and build sustainable, inclusive
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Spanish biotech company Kimitec has teamed up with Biome Makers, a California-based ag-tech company specialising in the analysis of soil biology and microbiology, to research the composition and behaviour of soil microbiota with the aim of developing a new generation of probiotics adapted to the
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As if the past season has not been tough enough, Southern Africa’s citrus growers face the mother of all consultations over the next two months. read more

Bakker Belgium has announced that for the first time, an e-truck will transport fresh fruit and vegetables to retailer Delhaize. read more

PML Kenya has invested US$300,000 in a new vacuum cooler system at the Mitchell Cotts Air Cargo Terminal at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi, with the aim of providing customers with an affordable and highly efficient temperature control measure to improve cool chain management. read more