Asia & Oceania

A new insect threatens agriculture and urban greenery in the province of Verona. It is the Popillia japonica, a Japanese beetle recently reported also in the provinces of Treviso and Verona, classified by the European Union as a quarantine pest of priority concern. read more

Since the beginning of 2026, Kazakhstan has supplied 630 tonnes of fresh cucumbers to Perm Krai, a sevenfold increase compared to 90 tonnes in the same period in 2025, according to the press service of Rosselkhoznadzor. On March 31, an 18-tonne batch underwent inspection by Rosselkhoznadzor and... read more

Producers in Israel are experiencing millions of euros in losses due to export disruptions caused by the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, as reported by Ynet News. They are seeking urgent assistance from the government. read more

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The fruit market in Thailand has entered 2026 in a more careful and cautious phase, with changes in trade dynamics occurring in both imported and domestic categories. read more

The New Zealand Apples and Pears (NZAPI) board has announced the appointment of Danielle Adsett as chief executive, effective immediately. read more

SOUTH KOREA: The fruit smoothie trend from Japan has now made its way to Korean convenience stores. Inspired by the popular practice at Japanese tourist spots where customers blend their own fruit cups, South Korea's largest convenience store chain, CU, has introduced the concept in their stores. The response has been extremely positive. read more

A fruit related to the kiwiberry, known as "Sarunashi" (Actinidia arguta), is being studied for its potential role in early cancer-related processes. Researchers at Okayama University investigated its effects in lung cancer models, where smoking-related compounds are a primary risk factor. read more

Z łagodnymi zimami i chłodnymi latami, hrabstwo Luquan Yi and Miao Autonomous w południowo-zachodnich Chinach, prowincji Junnan, zapewnia idealne warunki dla przemysłu kwiatowego. "Nasze róże są sprzedawane na terenie całego kraju i eksportowane do Wietnamu, Tajlandii, Rosji i innych krajów" - powiedziała Yang Guiying, szefowa jednego z przedsiębiorstw kwiatowych. read more

W lutym dorosły samiec brązowego marmurowatego stonki szarobrązowej (BMSB) został wykryty w pułapce w Ōrākei, niedaleko portu w Auckland. Odkrycie to spowodowało reakcję Biosecurity New Zealand, w tym rozmieszczenie dodatkowych pułapek w okolicznych obszarach. Nie wykryto więcej owadów, a sprawa została...

In February, an adult male brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) was detected in a trap in Ōrākei, near Auckland's port. The find triggered a response from Biosecurity New Zealand, including the deployment of additional traps in surrounding areas. No further insects were detected, and the case has... read more

Ukraine's vegetable market is entering an active phase in March 2026 with the start of early imports, mainly potatoes and onions from Turkey and Egypt. Domestic producers selling stored stocks are facing stronger competition, prompting adjustments in pricing and sales strategies. Imported early... read more

Mangos can soften and deteriorate within a few weeks at room temperature, with the fruit turning yellow, softening, and breaking down at the cellular level in warm conditions. A study on the "Tainong No.1" variety in China has shown that storage at 12°C can extend the shelf life to over three weeks. read more

An industry-first briefing that connects developments in the Middle East with potential impacts on the fresh produce sector has offered businesses guidance on how to prepare for continued geopolitical uncertainty. The International Fresh Produce Association Australia–New Zealand hosted a discussion on this topic. read more

Flooding in northern Australia has posed a challenge for mango grower Manbulloo, as managing director Marie Piccone describes an unusually rainy season that has drastically changed conditions in both the Northern Territory and Queensland. The Territory has been hit particularly hard. "We've had two fairly read more

The 2026 Alphonso season in India is shaping up as a year in which traditional buyers are still holding on to the genuine GI-tagged Ratnagiri Alphonso, but many customers are switching to cheaper alternatives, says Madhura Inamdar of Yashaswi Mangoes and Food. "Traditional buyers still value read more

The growing instability in shipping rates due to the Iran conflict is not on the same scale as the unprecedented rate hikes seen during the Covid era, reports Drewry Shipping Consultants. Data from Drewry Container Freight Rate Insight updated yesterday shows that spot ocean... read more

India's table grape season is now in its final stretch, with Maharashtra and the Nashik belt having completed around 85-90% of the harvest, says Shivam Gojare, founder of Nashik-based grower-exporter Sarvesh International. "Roughly 40% of the remaining fruit meets export-grade quality,". read more

Międzynarodowe stawki frachtu lotniczego wzrosły o nawet 95% między lutym a marcem, z powodu ograniczonej przepustowości i wyższych cen paliwa związanych z wojną w Iranie, co generuje ryzyko zbliżenia się cen do poziomów z okresu pandemii. Według Drewry Airfreight Insight, stawki z Shanghai do Dubaju wzrosły o

The international airfreight rates have surged by up to 95% between February and March, driven by reduced capacity and higher fuel prices linked to the Iran war, raising the risk of prices approaching Covid-era levels. According to Drewry Airfreight Insight, rates from Shanghai to Dubai have read more

Exporters in India are facing a second round of container freight rate increases, as carriers are implementing hikes of up to 40% from April 1. Shipping rates from India to Europe have seen increases of up to US$1,000 per container. Carriers such as Mediterranean Shipping Company and AP Moller-Maersk are among those implementing these rate hikes. read more

The National Farmers Federation (NFF) Horticulture Council has penned an open letter to Australia's major supermarket chains, calling on them to promptly and constructively address requests for price increases from fresh produce suppliers amid rising fuel and freight costs. read more