The South African Citrus Growers’ Association (CGA) has called on the country’s president Cyril Ramaphosa to intervene to persuade the EU to change its rules on fungal disease on citrus, which it terms “unfair” and “discriminatory” with relation to citrus black spot (CBS). read more

South African avocados have been granted access to China after a new agreement was signed at the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) summit. read more

After a long and cold winter, peppers are pricey. Green peppers are significantly more expensive than usual, trading at R23(1.1 euro) per kilogram, close to the average market price for red peppers. Yellow peppers are almost R40 (1.93 euro) per kilogram. read more

A calm citrus demand is typical in August, says Eddy Kreukniet of Exsa Europe. "Many people are on vacation, and then consumption drops, despite promotions. It hasn't been more or less than other years, though," he begins. read more

The Egyptian sweet potato campaign has just begun and will last until February 2024, in a context of lower volumes than in the same period of the previous season, and strong demand. Ayman El Sayed, Sales and Export Manager at Fresh Zone, gives an overview of the campaign kick-off. read more

Along with other destinations, Morocco has been actively increasing its avocado exports to Germany, reports EastFruit. The exports to the German market have more than quadrupled since the MY 2016/17 (Jul-Jun) and reached 5,000 tonnes valued at $17 mln. read more

Like many other crops in other parts of the world, the pomegranate sector in Egypt is suffering this year from the effects of constantly rising temperatures and heat waves. Mina Antony, CEO of E2M, reports a difficult start to the campaign. read more

The new school year has begun in some regions of the Netherlands, so demand for fruit is also starting to pick up. "That often happens first and foremost with mandarins, as a typical school fruit, these sales are a bit up," says Pieter de Ruiter of 4Fruit Company. read more

Recently, there has been fewer imported fruit categories in the Xinfadi wholesale market in Gaobeidian. The best sellers are South African citrus, Thai durian, and young coconut. There are also a small amount of American cherries, Peruvian blueberries, and New Zealand apples. The easing of the
read more

Last week, South Africa’s Standing Committee on Finance, Economic Opportunities and Tourism met with key stakeholders in the citrus industry at Market Demand Fruits, Stellenbosch. The meeting focused on the detrimental impact on citrus exports to the United States should South Africa not be
read more

The world’s first methanol-powered container ship docked in Egypt last week (15 August) en route to Denmark from South Korea. read more

Along with other destinations, Morocco has been actively increasing its avocado exports to Germany, reports EastFruit. The exports to the German market have more than quadrupled since the MY 2016/17 (Jul-Jun) and reached 5,000 tonnes valued at $17 mln. read more

Several citrus exporters to China have told FreshPlaza they have found it difficult to procure South African citrus for Asian markets. In a season of large fruit and lower than expected yields, citrus producers were under pressure to service their European programmes, given high black spot
read more

American cherries by sea have arrived on the market. According to merchants, the market was relatively good when they first came into the market. The price of some early sea freight was basically the same as that of later air freight. In recent days, the market has dropped, and the price varies
read more

Across South Africa, avocados registered a price reduction year-on-year. Hester Vermeulen, economist at the Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy (BFAP), explained that when consumer budgets were strained, they tended to limit their spending on high-value items, such as avocados. read more

Egyptian strawberry growers are gearing up for the coming season, with high spirits and the hope of reviving the sector after a difficult season. read more

Egypt’s Mansoura University has conducted a study in which researchers discovered that fertilizers rich in calcium, magnesium, and zinc can significantly boost the growth of potatoes and other tubers. The research, recently published in the Journal of Plant Production, was led by M.K.F.
read more

The Egyptian garlic campaign is due to end in mid-September. According to Mohamed Shaaban, General Manager of Garlico Egypt, exporters are delighted with an exceptional season. read more

In their push to dethrone the US dollar as the world’s largest reserve currency, the BRICS nations - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - have been talking up the idea of a common currency for years. But Jim O’Neill, the veteran economist who coined the term BRIC criticized this plan. read more

African Blue is one of the largest producers of blueberries in Morocco. Its majority owner is Costa Group, Australian grower and marketer of fresh fruits and vegetables. African Blue is a supplier of premium blueberries for European markets, with farms in the Moulay Bousselham, Larache and
read more