Wednesday, March 6, 2019
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Rungis, 50 years on: meet the wholesalers

At the beginning of 2019, the world’s largest market for agricultural products will celebrate its fiftieth anniversary. Rungis covers an area of 234 hectares, a total of 1,200 wholesale companies, with 40,000 employees working every night on site. A true “city within the city”, a modern version of the…

Vacancies:

Clementines: the season is over in Italy, but still going on in Spain

Returning from a recent trip to Spain, to some of the most important production areas in the citrus sector, the agronomist, consultant and Citrus specialist Dr. Francesco Perri reports to FreshPlaza on the current situation of clementines and mandarins: "I have travelled a lot both in Andalusia and in the…

Delays at French ports due to "Brexit strike"

Yesterday saw long delays at Calais and Dunkirk ports as French customs workers went on strike to demonstrate what it would be like after March 29th when the UK leaves Europe. The strike was called for by the CGT and Unsa. According to reports trucks were backed up for several kilometers at the ports. The customs officials were…

Israeli grapefruit season has picked up again

The South African grapefruit threw a real monkey wrench into Israel’s exporting plans. After overflowing the market with all of their grapefruit, the demand for grapefruits from Israel was basically non-existent. Luckily the South Africans ran out of the fruit a while back and the season has recovered. The start of the Israel grapefruit…

John van Lieshout, Jongfresh:

"Rainbow radishes brighten up the shelves"

"Radish production is always low in the winter," says John van Lieshout of the Jongfresh radish nursery. This farm is located in the Dutch town of Monster. "However, the radish market is beginning to gain good momentum as spring approaches. This is mostly thanks to the unusually good weather in recent weeks. This means…

German importer stocked with potatoes from Egypt and Israel

"Demand for imported new potatoes is high"

"The import season of Egyptian new potatoes has begun and they have been on the market for about a week, both in Germany and neighboring EU countries. These potatoes are currently being marketed at high prices, as the drought of the summer of 2018 made potatoes in northern Europe scarce and the demand for…

Spain: Investors show interest in Agrupapulpi and Bollo International Fruits

The fruit and vegetable sector continues to be very attractive for venture capital investment. According to sources close to the operation, Magnum Industrial Capital Partners, the private equity fund of Angel Corcóstegui and Enrique de Leyva, is finalizing talks to acquire Agrupapulpi, the largest Spanish…

Cauliflower and broccoli trends have improved from the start of the year

Last year ended rather normally for cauliflowers and Romanesco broccoli, with standard prices during early January 2019, but things have dramatically changed since. "Cauliflowers did particularly well until mid-February with prices abroad of €10 per crate (6-8 heads) and €1.60-1.70/kg on the domestic market. Prices have then dropped to…

Paul van der Linde:

"Carrot trade's high expectations not met at all"

There were high expectations for the carrot market last year. This was after the hot, dry summer. There was supposed to be a significant shortage of carrots and prices would not rise. A few months down the line and these expectations seem to have been too high. "If there were shortages, we would have been in full swing…

Apricot tree blossoming delayed in the south but early in the north

The weird weather of the past few weeks has meant apricot trees are not yet blossoming in the south while they are actually blossoming early in the north (i.e. Emilia Romagna). No particular anomalies have been reported for peach trees. Andrea Grassi, technical manager at Apofruit, explained that "if we analyse the situation…

Special Australia / New Zealand

Positive trends for apple and pear sales in Australia

The data for apples and pears is now available on the Harvest to Home website, with the data revealing some positive trends for both industries. Apples The value of apple sales for the 52 weeks ending 1 December 2018 grew by +4.7 per cent compared to the prior year. Compared to other fruit categories monitored, apple dollar…

Global Focus Grapes

Corne van de Klundert, Origin Fruit Direct:

"This year, for the first time, we will offer Indian grapes in 250g packs"

The first Indian grapes have arrived in a relatively difficult market. "Especially the red, seedless grapes have to contend with a large supply from South Africa. Prices are already low and will not improve," says the Dutch company, Origin Fruit Direct's, Corne van de Klundert. "The supply of white grapes has been much…

How one discounter changed the way Britain shops

The Aldi effect

When Aldi arrived in Britain, Tesco and Sainsbury’s were sure they had nothing to worry about. Three decades later, they know better. On a Thursday morning in April 1990, in the suburb of Stechford in Birmingham, a strange grocery chain started trading in the UK. It only stocked 600 basic items – fewer than you might…

"We will have the capacity to handle 240,000 kilos of cherries daily"

Cherry bloom starts 15 days earlier in Tarragona and Lleida

The cherry trees of Tarragona and Lleida are already in full bloom. It has happened between 10 and 15 days earlier than in the previous season. "About 80% of the earliest cherry varieties are already in bloom. If the temperatures continue to be good and no adverse weather phenomena are recorded, we expect to harvest the…

“It is difficult to react to the increasing potato prices”

“Thanks to the low yields this year in Europe, the potato season is ending quietly,” according to Hervé Lecouffe of Maison Lecouffe. “Many producers had contracts, and there are very few volumes left on the free market. At the same time, the demand is good and regular on the domestic market, and prices are…

Sales of Norwegian fresh produce generally stable

According to figures of the Norwegian Agriculture Directorate, the sales of white cabbage are higher than in the previous two years, while stocks are lower and import prices higher. The first months of 2019, prices of white cabbage were even higher than target prices. As for Norwegian carrots, both sales and…

Increasing interest in purple carrots

Massimiliano Ceccarini, manager of Sipo, reports that there are over 10 hectares of purple carrots and that retailer demand is increasing. Purple carrots from Sipo "It is still a niche product, but operators are rather curious. What is more, a piece on purple carrots by Elisa Silvestrin was broadcast by Buongiorno Benessere on Raiuno, which…

“Quality Assessment Saint-Charles Report 2017/2018”

As every year at the “Quality Assessment Saint-Charles” convention, a delegation of representatives of the Administration, led by Mr. Joël Bonaric (Director CCRF and Metrology of the Direccte Occitanie) communicated, on Wednesday, February 27th, 2019, the “Quality Assessment Saint-Charles” report for 2017/2018.…

Fresh Produce Technologies becomes stronger and consolidates its business in Spain

Fresh Produce Technologies, the post-harvest division of JBT (formerly FMC), is growing stronger, consolidating its business in Spain and the Mediterranean countries. JBT FoodTech (formerly FMC - Food Machinery Company), is an American company that was founded in the 1880's, when John Bean designed and built the first…

Swedish retailer ICA turns fruit and vegetable waste into plant feed

As a trial, a branch of ICA Maxi in Stockholm is selling environmentally friendly plant feed made from fruit and vegetable waste. Earlier, the organic waste was destined for the production of biogas. Now, the unsold fruit and vegetables are fermented in cooperation with ETC Näring, and sold as plant feed. It…

European potato market (week 10)

Highest volumes of French export potatoes since 2014

Belgium Fiwap/PCA market message: Industrial varieties: the weather was again unfavorable making the markets more stable. Offer and demand remain very low but balanced. Globally low industrial demand, with some variation depending on buyers/factories. Fontane: 30.00 to 32.00€/q, stable; Challenger: 30.00 to 32.00€/q, stable; Bintje: “friable quality”: max 15%…

Waitrose supermarket to introduce hanging veggie gardens

Is the end of packaged salads in sight? By the end of the year, British supermarkets want to have picking gardens and ‘vertical farms’ in their stores. Companies including Waitrose already have definite plans for this. Lettuce in an old railway tunnel Bioengineers have revealed plans to place hanging vegetable gardens in…

Estelle and Stanislas Henriot take over Dynamis

Founded in 1991 by Elodie and Markus Zeiher, two pioneers of biological agriculture in France, Dynamis is now a key wholesaler on the organic market. The company has since specialized in the commercialization…

Lidl Switzerland responds to customer demand

"We abstain from air shipped imports all year round"

Through large advertisements, Lidl has guaranteed not to import fruits and vegetables by plane. The online platform Infosperber asked Migros and Coop if they will now also refrain from flying in goods. At the request of…

Spain demands additional measures for garlic in face of rising tariffs in Brazil

The European garlic sector is highly concerned about Brazil's recent unilateral measures against European garlic imports. The country has proposed a 19% tariff increase in the main export market for Spanish…

Netherlands interested in Serbian soft fruits

According to an article on agroberichtenbuitenland.nl , every fourth kilo of raspberries worldwide is coming from Serbia. Besides Chile and Poland, Serbia is globally the most important player in raspberry…

Spanish region of Castile-La Mancha presents Organic Agriculture Strategy

This Monday, the Government of Castile-La Mancha presented the Organic Agriculture Strategy for Castile-La Mancha, which will be in force for five years. This strategy entails the granting of a permanent priority position to…

Global orange production increasing to 51.8 million tons

In the 2018/19 season, the world's orange production will increase by 4.2 million tons compared to the previous year and reach 51.8 million tons, mostly due to the favorable weather conditions that have led to greater harvests in Brazil and the United States. This is reflected in the latest report from the United States…

Spain: Davila Reefer Terminal plans Marin port expansion

The Port Authority of Marin (Autoridad Portuaria de Marín y Ría de Pontevedra) has approved a proposal by Davila Reefer Terminal. Davila Reefer Terminal is a limited company of the Davila Group: a refrigeration company dedicated to the logistics and storage of fruit, located on the Atlantic sea routes to…

How did avocados and kale become this popular?

Some foods get more buzz than others, bringing in billions of dollars and shaping our daily diets. But why are some products so much more popular than others? Avocado toast. Kale shakes. Goji berry smoothies. Quinoa bowls. If foods were celebrities, these would be just a handful of the treats that have received the red-carpet…

The dry weather could bring the season to an end in East Gippsland for some vegetable growers

With a large part of Australia experiencing drought, there is no doubt that water security is one of the major issues facing East Gippsland farmers. This week FreshPlaza is visiting vegetable growers in Gippsland, and learning the normally busy summer season could be coming to an end for some, despite having some produce…

US blueberry growers preparing first shipments to Vietnam

The news that Vietnam has opened up its doors to blueberry imports from the US has been welcomed by blueberry growers and shippers across the country. Suppliers are very positive about the new development and are looking forward to shipping the first berries to the country. Jeff Malensky of Oregon Berry Packing said that…

Artichoke crop in good shape as California spring season begins

Artichoke growers in California are feeling very positive about the prospects for the upcoming spring season. The growing areas - most of which are located in the Castroville area - have received a large amount of rainfall during the past month. Growers say that this has been rather beneficial to the…

Oppy chosen as Canada’s Best Managed for 18th year

What makes a “best managed” company? According to the global financial services company Deloitte, companies with best-in-class business practices demonstrate exceptional strategy, capability, commitment, and…

Slyce debuts visual search solutions for Grocery retailers

Over the last few years, visual search has become known as a tool to find celebrity fashion and hard-to-describe decor. Now the camera technology is ready for its next retail sector: Grocery. At the 2019 Shoptalk retail conference in Las Vegas, Slyce is debuting how visual search is capable of solving a host…

Mission Produce introduces ripening and merchandising program

Mission Produce, Inc. has announced “Ready,” a ripening and merchandising program designed to give avocado consumers the experience they desire. This program offers a variety of informative merchandising tools, all of which promote two ripening stages: a hard piece of stage 2 fruit (“Ready in a Couple Days”…

California citrus producer hires Dave Medders as new VP of Sales

Pasadena, California-based Sun Pacific® has hired citrus veteran, Dave Medders, as their new VP of Sales. Medders took on his new role on February 25 and will oversee sales for Sun Pacific’s citrus portfolio…

January sales figures favorable for Autumn Glory apple

According to Superfresh Growers®, in January, Autumn Glory apple’s national sales growth was very strong, doubling in sales and leading all top-20 apple varieties in growth percentage. Sales dollars increased 83 percent and pounds increased by 103 percent. By comparison, only one other proprietary apple…

If India increases its apple production, imports from the US, New Zealand, and Chile will decrease

It is likely that severe winter conditions in northwestern India will increase apple production this season, ending years of recession. Apple producers in Shimla, the center of apple cultivation in Himachal Pradesh, are seeing…

Blueberry export value increased the most among Mexican berries

Berries have become Mexico's fourth most exported agricultural food/ agro-industrial product, as exports amounted to more than 2.107 billion dollars in 2018. Between 2014 and 2018, the value of blueberry exports increased by…

Criminals are becoming more sophisticated

Mexico: 7 to 10 trucks of avocados are stolen in Michoacan each week

The packers of Michoacan lose 2 million pesos each week as criminals steal 7 to 10 trucks of avocados on a weekly basis. Each truck has 8 tons of avocado for export, whose average cost is 200 thousand pesos. "The effect is very big. We have been dealing with this problem for several years and it hasn't decreased. There are moments when there…

IFC, IDB Invest and Rabobank: $100 million financing package for San Miguel

IDB Invest, a member of the Inter-American Development Bank Group, together with IFC, a member of the World Bank Group and Rabobank arranged a $100 million financing package for San Miguel, the largest citrus…

Poor wet season puts Australian farmers under the pump

Extra water needed to produce Northern Territory rambutans

Extra water was needed to produce rambutans in the Northern Territory this year, as farmers struggled with the drier-than-average wet season. The tropical fruit thrives in monsoonal conditions, but with less…

Egypt: Exported 514,000 tons of citrus since start of new season

According to Ahmed al-Attar, head of the Central Department of Agricultural Quarantine at the Ministry of Agriculture, Egypt has exported 514,000 tons of citrus fruits to all countries since the beginning of…

New Zealand: Concerned Growers Collective opposes Zespri vote

An anonymous group called the Concerned Growers Collective is opposing two Zespri resolutions now before growers. The group claims these would cause “irreparable damage” to the industry. Zespri went on a tour in the…

Environmental Protection Authority involved

New Zealand: Proposal to ban some herbicide paraquat sprays

Paraquat; is it an antiquated poison or a necessary horticultural weapon? The substance has been used in New Zealand since the 1960s, mostly on clover seed and lucerne crops, but also on a wide range of foods for humans: brassicas, green beans, kumara, lettuce, onions, potatoes, spinach, strawberries, and…

Asparagus exports from US doing great heading into 2019

The months of February and March are the peak months for California and Mexico asparagus air exports. Central to these movements is Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Along with cherries and strawberries, asparagus is one of the top three perishable products based on tonnage exported each year by air…

Summer temperatures Australia

Mean temperatures. Really mean.

New name for Agrokor

Carrefour China: 11-fold profit

Romania: Lidl hikes wages to improve employee retention rate Lidl Romania, the discount supermarket chain owned by German retail group Schwarz, has decided to raise the wages of all its employees to combat labor migration. As of March 1, the lowest monthly average gross pay among Lidl’s employees will be RON…

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