UK farmers, frustrated by low supermarket prices and the influx of cheap food imports following post-Brexit trade agreements, are gearing up for a series of French-inspired tractor protests. Andrew Gibson, a prominent figure in the movement from Kent, has announced plans for further
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A varietal management company has a front-row seat on the upheavals and the settled periods in commercial fruit genetics. read more

The vibrant logistical situation surrounding the Red Sea has meant that Turkish apple exporters have had to plan accordingly so as to not run into any surprises. According to Aysel Oguz, commercial manager for Turkish fresh produce grower and exporter Anadolu Etap, despite these challenges
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Lei Mattheijssen bought the first crate of greenhouse asparagus of the new Dutch season on February 15. ZON will donate the €500 proceeds to KidzBase. This foundation adds color to the lives of children who, due to a disrupted home situation, can no longer live with their families. read more

Normec Foodcare will host a blueberry symposium, a free online event, on Friday, March 22. read more

The year 2023 was a successful one for Moldovan fruits. Cherries, plums, grapes, and apples produced in Moldova found their way to an increasing number of consumers in the European Union and on such distant markets as Gulf countries and Asian regions. Moldovan producers adjusted their production
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The Ozark Mango™, the seventh nectarine introduced by the Arkansas Fruit Breeding Program, is a yellow-fleshed and standard-acid-level nectarine tailored for growers in the Southeast or Mid-South of the United States. read more

The Dutch Seed Potato and Seeds General Inspection Service (NAK) recently announced that in 2023, 38,776 hectares of seed potato acreage were registered for inspection. That is six percent less than the previous year. Acreage in Germany and France is shrinking, too. That brings about an
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The Australian Government has issued QUT a licence to commercially release QCAV-4, a genetically modified (GM) variety of Cavendish banana designed to help save the world’s Cavendish banana production. read more

Almost 3.4 million hectares of land were planted to fruit in the EU in 2017, representing 1.9 % of all utilised agricultural land. Nut orchards accounted for one third (33.8 %) of the total area of fruit, pome fruit orchards (apples and pears) a further one fifth (19.2 %) of the total, stone
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After much consideration and deliberation, the Peace River Valley Citrus Growers Association’s board of directors has decided to close the association. read more

The South African Table Grape Industry (Sati) body said their season is expected to end earlier than last year, which concluded in Week 14. By Week six the SA table grape industry had passed the three-quarter mark of its packing season, with 78% (59.5 million cartons) of its estimated volumes
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An Ecuadorian delegation is set to head to Russia to address challenges concerning banana exports, the Ecuadorian Foreign Ministry announced. The mission aims to tackle phytosanitary issues flagged six months prior, affecting the trade flow of bananas to Russia. read more

Drewry’s World Container Index dropped by 1% to $3,733 per 40ft container this week. read more

The Philippines has made a significant move to double the import volume of chipping potatoes to 60,000 tons under the Minimum Access Volume (MAV) scheme, aiming to bolster the local snack manufacturing sector with a reduced tariff. This adjustment is in response to the escalating demand for
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The Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce has announced the appointment of Tammy Dawson–Doughty as the new Head of UK Fresh Produce Network (UK FPN). Joining the team in late 2023, Tammy brings a wealth of knowledge, enthusiasm, and dedication to the growth and development of agrifood businesses in
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In Europe, the farmer protests may have pushed the campaign somewhat into the background, but from February 1st to 7th, Flanders once again celebrated the Week of the Belgian Chicory. That is when this 'Belgian glory' is highlighted, yet it provided much food for thought, says Charles Cattoir of
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The export of Polish apples picked up again in the new year, after a slow period at the end of last year. According to Karol Osior, Export Manager of Polish apple exporter Fruit Active Sp. z o.o., demand is on a good level right now: “After the demand slowed down at the end of 2023, at the
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The world's leader in cherry production and exports, Chile, has overcome early spring rains at the start of the season to reach their second biggest export crop of just over 415,000 tons. They also exported their second biggest crop to China, reaching more than 376,000 tons. The Chinese New Year
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According to EastFruit, Egypt is expanding its export markets for vegetables and fruits, and Brazil is one of the most promising destinations. In 2023, Egyptian exporters doubled their shipments of fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables to Brazil and gained a strong foothold for some products. read more