Scientists have spent years trying to unravel the domestication of the humble banana. Thanks to their efforts we now know what their remote ancestor looked like from 7,000 years ago. A year ago, a group of eight researchers from France, Belgium and Papua New Guinea published an extensive study
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The global sweet potato market continues to widen its appeal, as interest in the product grows globally. In the Netherlands, the supply from Egypt is diminishing due to smaller exporters shifting to other products, resulting in a more stable market. According FreshPlaza report, Spain and
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As the South African citrus season in the US ends, the focus has now shifted to the 20th US-sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum (AGOA) in Johannesburg this week. read more

After a month of the new stone fruit season, United Exports looks ahead to a positive season with good yields, despite recent inclement weather in the Western Cape. read more

US president Biden has revealed plans to expel Uganda, Gabon, Niger and the Central African Republic (CAR) from a special US-Africa trade program. According to the president, these countries were either involved in ‘gross violations’ of human rights or not making progress towards democratic
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On Saturday, October 21, Noah and Lois Dekker officially opened Beemsterboer Coldstore Services Kenya's (BCSK) new cold store in Nairobi. That saw this Dutch family's fourth generation cut the ribbon. read more

Suspicions were already there, but officially, Morocco was still free of ToBRFV. An update from EPPO has now changed that. The European plant health authority is adopting a notification from Morocco's plant health colleagues. It states that in October 2021, Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus was
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The first South African stonefruit crop forecast has indicated a bigger nectarine export crop, a slight increase in plums, stability in peaches but a considerable drop in apricot volumes. read more

"Sanjorge will participate at the Morocco Berries Conference 2023, which will be held in Agadir on November 9, 2023. Our company will be one of the outstanding participants in the country's berry sector's most important event." read more

According to Market Development and Communications manager Mecia Petersen from the South African Table Grape Industry (SATI), the industry has always committed itself to expanding and growing its offerings for the Chinese market. read more

The Citrus Growers' Association of Southern Africa (CGA) calls on the South African minister of finance to make the financial recovery of Transnet a priority, says Justin Chadwick, CEO of the Citrus Growers' Association of Southern Africa. The Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, will deliver
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In line with its mandate, the Kenyan Horticultural Crops Directorate enforces sector regulations to ensure that quality produce is marketed locally and internationally. This includes ensuring that mature avocado is harvested and exported, in a bid to sustain and grow our international markets
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The Egyptian sweet potato season continues amid heated competition between exporters. As the season progresses, it becomes increasingly difficult to source good quality batches, which transfers the competition to the price front. Mohamed Maatouk, CEO of the Egyptian Emirati food industries,
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Defeder, which specializes in 100% organic agricultural products, has expanded its international expansion by making its first shipments to South America. The company, which is celebrating its 15th anniversary, exports more than 60% of its production to more than 23 countries on three
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The eagerly awaited Egyptian strawberry season is about to begin. Elsayed Elgohary, strawberry producer and owner of Marvel Farm, shares his insights on the season kick-off. read more

US freight forwarders have seen volumes and demand crash with no peak season to speak of. According to analyst Jon Monroe, forwarders are suffering because consumers are failing to spend and still elevated inventories mean that 2023 has not been conducive to a return to a pre-Covid demand
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Despite the cost of living crisis, the price of a bunch of bananas in British supermarkets is no higher today than it was three decades ago. Every country in the world with cheaper prices than the UK has its own producers of the fruit. read more

The Avocado Society of Kenya in collaboration with other regional and international organizations in the fruit and vegetable value-chain in Africa and beyond are pleased to announce to the third International Africa Avocado Congress (2024 Avocado Fruits & Vegetables Africa). read more

The Moroccan cultivated rosemary season is drawing to a close, with calendars available until December. Exporters continue to supply several markets on three continents. read more

The Spanish citrus season is now underway with a lower mandarin production and a great drop in the orange production across the country. There are hardly any overseas lots left and not much competition from Morocco is expected. Prices are higher but, for the time being, they are not making sales
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