A ceremony was held on Wednesday at China’s port of Tianjin to welcome the first Cherry Express carrying more than 2,500 tonnes of Chilean cherries. The arrival of the vessel marked the first trip of this new direct route for Cherry Express vessels to the northern Chinese port. read more

Spar Slovenia has become the first retailer in the country to phase out single-use plastic bags completely from its fruit and vegetable departments. read more

Asia Fruit Logistica is going deeper into markets across Asia with content-backed regional networking events to connect with leading players and build even greater momentum for the show’s return to Hong Kong on 4-6 September 2024. read more

ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA has selected four key markets for its Business Meet-Up series - Indonesia, India, Thailand and China - to deepen engagement with the diverse and dynamic fresh produce communities. read more

In 2023, the market shares of supermarket chains in the Netherlands have shifted, according to NielsenIQ. Albert Heijn has further strengthened its leading position. In contrast, Jumbo, the second-largest player, has declined. Despite a decrease in the number of supermarkets that Superunie
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Domestic offers dominated the apple market: Elstar, Jonagold, Boskoop, and Wellant were predominant. Pink Lady, Granny Smith, and Red Delicious were primarily sourced from Italy. France mainly contributed with Pink Lady and Jazz. Dutch shipments completed the range of goods. Jonagold-Decosta
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The supply of avocados is increasing fast, but the European market can still take on higher volumes. The healthy nature and multiple uses of avocados result in strong consumer demand. France and Scandinavian countries are already very mature markets, while Germany and Italy still have room for
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Egypt achieved a remarkable increase in its fresh table grape exports to the EU countries in 2023, reports EastFruit. However, this success was tainted by scandals involving the illegal use of protected grape varieties in the country. Despite this, the Egyptian products reached a historical
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Despite a significant decrease in wholesale prices for tomatoes in Ghana, retail prices remain high. From Q2 to Q3 2023, the cost of a box of imported tomatoes fell by 43% from GH¢3,000 to 1,700, while locally produced tomatoes saw a 47% drop from GH¢1,500 to 800. However, consumers in Accra
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The rosy-cheeked pear FRED® from Varicom has gradually established itself since its successful brand launch in 2018. The Swiss club pear is now cultivated in all the traditional pear-growing regions of Western Europe - whether in France, Switzerland, Italy or Belgium - and the harvest volume
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That between Germany and fresh fruit and vegetables remains an unbreakable bond that is celebrated every year during the Fruit Logistica trade fair hosted in Berlin. read more

A failed field test has led to a major discovery about Asian citrus psyllids (ACP). According to new research, the bacterium that causes HLB disease can interfere with ACP’s sense of smell, rendering some kinds of insect traps useless. The work is currently available as a preprint. read more

The Picodi South Africa analyst team conducted a comprehensive review of changes in minimum wage across 67 countries. The study also evaluated the price fluctuations of basic groceries and compared the cost of a "survival basket" to the minimum wage. The analysis was based on net wages to
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Last week, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo led a diplomatic mission to China. A Memorandum of Understanding for pork exports and principle agreements for importing Belgian chicory and bell peppers were signed. It seems apples, too, will soon be able to enter the Chinese market soon.
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On Monday, Hessing told its employees about its intended decision to close its production location in Zwaagdijk, the Netherlands. By mid-2024, the VersFabriek's doors - where the fruit and vegetable processor produces things like stir-fry vegetables and salads - will close. That work will be
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New Zealand: Statement of Preliminary Issues released for proposed Foodstuffs merger read more

Spain's avocado campaign is currently in full swing with the harvest of the Hass variety. The drought and lack of water resources in Malaga have led growers to diversify their production in other regions, such as the Region of Valencia, where FreshPlaza visited the facilities of Grupo
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High temperatures dominated the first part of autumn - in October and November - with direct repercussions on seasonal products such as vegetables. Production calendars between northern and southern Italy overlapped, causing confusion in the market and only today demand
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Morocco continued to consolidate its position in the fresh blueberry market in Southeast Asia in 2023, reports EastFruit. Moroccan blueberry exporters not only broke their previous record of shipments to this region, but also expanded the number of countries that import their berries. read more

Arrigoni S.p.A., Group leader in the production and distribution of technical solutions for active crop protection, has completed the acquisition of Financiere European Trade S.A.S. and indirectly of its subsidiary European Trade S.A.S. ('Emis'), a French company based in
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