Using computer vision, feedback control and learning, “Foodly” is an RT Corporation robot that is able to adapt to various challenging and novel environments. The robot is the focus of Yi Zhang’s PhD research project titled Data-driven autonomous robotic food handling. read more

According to EastFruit analysts, in connection with attacks on civilian ships, allegedly by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, the world’s largest shipping company, Maersk, has suspended all shipments through the Red Sea. Vessels already on their way are waiting to continue their movement in roadsteads
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UK: Asda reveals higher finance costs as boss defends debt structure read more

Christmas time is herb time: in week 51 in particular, weekly markets, restaurants and supermarkets are trying to stock up on fresh cut herbs from all over the world, says Ahmed Bouklata, Managing Director of Kräuter Express and herb trader at Cologne's wholesale market. "It was still
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On Monday, the pound rallied as the dollar struggled against most currencies except the yen. Currently, it seems like more and more investors are seeing the Sterling as a good prospect for next year. Britain's currency was last 0.71% higher against the dollar at $1.2737. The euro was down 0.19%
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According to Svetlana Plotean, marketing coordinator for OctoFrost, the year 2023 has been important for the confidence in frozen fruit and vegetables: “The consumption and interest in frozen foods is growing strongly. We see that the need for convenient, high-quality food and aspiration to
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The blueberry market is currently led by Peru in this period of supply to the UK soft fruit industry, however, due to poor weather conditions in Peru over the growing and harvest period, exports have been down between 40-60%. This development has enabled South Africa to firmly establish a
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The current very high demand for Medjool dates will continue into about next year in April, 2024. Israel as one of the main Medjool dates producers and exporters, has finished packing with export volumes being shipped now in the peak period until the end of December says Gal Twig, from the
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Producers in Huelva have devoted a total of 11,243 hectares to berry production for the 2023/2024 campaign. That is 4.75% less than the 11,802 hectares of berries planted last year. read more

This winter, more Coöperatie Hoogstraten growers are growing TOVs under lights. Last year, there was hardly any lit cultivation due to high energy costs; this year, the lights have been switched on again in many places in Belgium. "It's certainly not at the level it was before the energy
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The new FD Berries US Farm in Sebring, Florida has started with their first harvest to supply a market in high demand. The new US farm of 100 acres (40 hectares) of blueberries and strawberries was started by Sam Ahilan, CEO of FD Berries and his team following successful farming operations in
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The Apulian clementine campaign is now in full swing, and the positive trend in sales has so far brought together operators and producers, after years in which discouragement seemed to have prevailed. read more

The Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, is pushing for a bill that would legalize around 30,000 migrant workers to address labor shortages in the country. The proposed legislation, which is expected to be voted on in the Greek parliament on December 20, has stirred tensions within
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Next year is an election year in South Africa and the minimum wage is under its annual review. The state is proposing the consumer price index (CPI) plus 3% (effectively 9% in toto) while the business lobby would prefer a minimum wage increase equalling the CPI (5.5% in November). read more

The combination of drought, water irrigation limitations and abnormally high temperatures during flowering and fruit-setting phases have limited the EU’s citrus production potential in MY 2023/24, which is projected to stay at similar levels as the also short MY 2022/23 crop. The increase in
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"Due to the war in Ukraine and the subsequent domino effect of the energy crisis, inflation crisis, etc., there is uncertainty among the population. Consumer reluctance and a more frequent choice to buy cheaper products became particularly noticeable at the beginning of 2023." says Charlotte
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According to EastFruit analysts, Ukrainian farmers have made incredible progress in restoring vegetable production, which was previously concentrated in the southern regions of the Kherson region but is now occupied by Russian invaders. Despite the fact that the Russian occupiers almost
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Noureddine Hajjout used to work from the Barendrecht trading center in the Netherlands. However, several years ago, he moved to France for his wife. There, he has been active in the Rungis market. "Around 2012, I founded the company 'de Gezonde Box'. Originally as a company that sold fresh
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Garlic and ginger are expensive, and in the Netherlands, Bert van Gelder from Sawari Fresh does not anticipate a significant surge ahead of the festive season. "These products store quite well, so our biggest holiday rush was over the past two to three weeks. Our focus this week is on reordering
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It's currently all hands on deck in the Egyptian strawberry sector. Insufficient Dutch and Belgian supplies means the United Kingdom has turned to Southern Europe and Egypt for produce. "The days are long and the nights short, but if the strawberries don't come now, they never will," begins
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