Bonduelle confirms US acquisition

Bonduelle North America has just completed the acquisition of three processing plants and a packaging centre in the US.

French fresh convenience specialist Bonduelle has confirmed the acquisition of three processing plants and a packaging centre for frozen vegetables in the US.

The deal, which was authorised by the US Competition Authorities last month, includes the purchase of four industrial frozen vegetable sites previously belonging to Allens.

The three processing plants are located in Bergen, Oakfield (New York) and Fairwater (Wisconsin), while the packaging plant is based in Brockport, New York.

The acquisition is set to bolster the market position of Bonduelle North America, which already owns seven production plants in Canada, in Quebec and Ontario, making it the market-leading brand for frozen vegetables in the east of North America.

With this transaction, and a recent acquisition in Russia, Bonduelle has spread its risk geographically. According to the company, in the next financial year, one-third of its turnover will come from France, one-third from the rest of Europe and one-third from outside of Europe.

Europatat reveals guest speakers

Guy Faulkner and Karlijn Offermans have both been added to the programme for the Kijkduin even.

Europatat, the European Potato Trade Association, is building up to its 2012 congress on 24 May by announcing that two new speakers have joined the programme.

In a joint announcement with the Dutch Potato Association, the group revealed that Guy Faulkner, the chief editor of World Potato Markets, and Karlijn Offermans from advertising agency 2 Mét, will both speak at the Kijkduin, Netherlands event.

The first day of the event will see the congress focus on the strapline 'The potato is coming home', with international food trends and marketing opportunities being discussed by experts such as Hans Steenbergen, Jan Willem Grievink and Anton Haverkort.

Meanwhile, the second day will allow participants to review the different activities of Europatat during three meeting sessions of various Europatat commissions.

Argentina: Return of lemon to US, a fundamental affair

The Argentinian ambassador in the United States, Jorge Argüello, will visit the province of Tucumán, in the frame of a mission to California during May or June. The return of lemons to the US is main item on the agenda for discussion.

n every meeting between Argentinian authorities and the United States, the request for the Tucumán lemon to re-enter the North-American market is always on the table. The management started more than 10 years ago, at the end of 2001, right after a judicial presentation by Californian citrus farmers caused the closing of the North-American market to Tucumán citrus, after two seasons of fresh fruit exports.

Now, while food safety studies demanded by the United States are being finalised, the Government in Tucumán announced pending actions to gain some time in the coming stages of the process, like political discussion and commercial aspects.

Some days ago, the governor José Alperovich suggested that they are waiting for an imminent visit to Tucumán by the Argentinian ambassador to the United States, Jorge Argüello, so he can check "in situ" the citrus culture situation. The tour is linked to the commercial mission to California that is projected by Tucumán lemon producers.

While that, the Agronomic Institute of Paraná (Iapar), in Brazil, is on the final stage of the study that pretends to show that the lemon seeds are not transmitters of CVC (Citrus Clorosis Variegada)

The secretary for Productive Development, Bartolomé del Bono, confirmed that Argüello's visit will be made Friday, but he underlined that it is fundamental in the process that the health plan block is overcome. "We are giving the first steps in the commercial part, but not in the political side", he clarified. The president of the Tucumán Association of Citrus (TAC), Roberto Sánchez Loria, explained that once Aphis approves the required information of Argentina, it will be published in the United States the so called "Propuse rules", proposed rules for the phytosanitary treatment in order to authorize NOA's citrus exports. The protocol publication is a 60 days process, adding a similar time period for oppositions to it to be presented.

Del Bono clarified that with the Tucuman businessmen tour to California, to happen between May and June, "we try to shorten the time periods, for when the phytosanitary is defined. It's expected that the technical studies results are concluded this year". The objective of the Argentinian citrus farmers is to establish commercial contacts that allow them to start again exports, right after the authorization for the lemon entrance. Tucumán is the main lemon producer in the world, with a yearly volume of 1.3 million tons, mainly exported fresh or as industrial derivatives.

The secretary for the Productive Development said that the direction to manage the export of lemons to the United States shouldn't affect on the discomfort caused in several countries by the decision of Argentina to establish obstacles to imports. "They are two completely different ways", he ended.

Source: Lagaceta 

20% more exhibitors at Asia Fruit Logistica

There has been an impressive 20 per cent increase in new exhibitors signing up to take part in Asia's Fruit Logistica.
 
The show, Asia's leading fresh produce trade event, is taking place on 5-7 September 2012 at its new home, the AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong, and this year promises to be bigger and better than it has ever been before.

The latest companies signing up for the first time include Asia Holland AV (The Netherlands), Zeus Kiwi (Greece), Farmsecure Fruit and Capespan (South Africa), Fruits and Greens (Vietnam), which shows the growing global interest in the show. Already companies from 28 countries across five continents have registered to exhibit later this year.

To further showcase their services and products in the exciting Asian market, so far 10 countries - Australia, Brazil, Chile, China, Egypt, France, Italy, Korea, The Netherlands and New Zealand - will be hosting pavilions and representing their respective nations.

For more information:
Ms. Sinenart Baramirattanachai
Tel: +662 9414600
sinenart@gp-events.com
www.asiafruitlogistica.com

Spain: Delays at French border due to strike harmed strawberry export

The effects of the strike were felt last week in the soft fruit sector especially at the French border at La Jonquera, the road to Perpignan.

The effects of last week's general strike have had an affect on the Huelva strawberry campaign, mainly in transportation, as it is a sector controlled directly by the unions.

This has been explained by the manager of the Association of Producers, Rafael Dominguez Guillen, who regretted that while the harvest has not had problems, "we are seeing some now in the transportation.

"Transportation was the most complicated", as explained, while adding that "there were delays at the border on the road to Perpignan (France) and little activity in the wholesale markets is also affected the merchandise."

In the field, as indicated by Domínguez Guillén, there were cooperatives and workers who did not work."

Source: finanzas.com

US: Greening disease confirmed in California

Despite the best efforts of all involved the first case of citrus greening was detected in California last week on Friday.

The disease was found in a residential area, but the concern is that it could spread to commercial groves.

"Huanlongbing is called the world's worst disease of citrus," said Dr. Robert Leavitt of the California Department of Food and Agriculture. "It had been present until now in all of the world's major citrus producing areas – except California."

"It's disappointing," said Joel Nelson of California Citrus Mutual. "Now we'll see if this great  program that we believe we have in place is going to work."

This has been the bad news that the industry has been anticipating since the first psyllid was detected in the state back in 2008. Despite 25 years of intense research and investment there are still no effective controls.

"This is the other shoe dropping," said Ted Batkin of the California Citrus Research Board.  "We're prepared, and now we'll put our game face on."

The board will now increase its testing operations in a bid to stop the spread of the disease to the San Joaquin Valley, home to 80% of the state's citrus production.

"We've been fortunate that we have been able to learn from the experiences of other citrus-growing areas of the world," Leavitt said. "They didn't know they had the psyllid or the disease until it was too late. We have learned from their scientists and have taken a proactive approach."

All sales and shipments of citrus within a five mile radius of the infected tree have been suspended. However, the closest commercial operation is 14 miles away.

Source: news.kuwaittimes.net

Italy is host country of Medfel 2012

Italy is one of the major stakeholders in the Mediterranean basin's fruit and vegetable industry both in terms of production and trade.

The main producer regions based on production (in tonnes) are: Sicily, Calabria, Puglia, Emilia-Romagna, Veneto, Trentino Alto-Adige, Campania and Lazio.

In terms of trading activities, in 2009 Italy exported 3.4 million tonnes of fruit and vegetables with a value of 2.9 billion Euro, a slight fall compared with the year before; it imported 2.8 million tonnes, with a value of 1.9 billion Euro, a slight rise on the previous year.

The main fresh fruit exports are: apples, table grapes, kiwi fruit, followed by peaches and nectarines, and citrus fruit.

The main vegetables exported are: carrots, lettuces, potatoes and tomatoes.

In terms of imports, the main products are:

• Fruits - bananas, pineapples and tropical fruits
• Vegetables - potatoes, tomatoes and peppers.    

Italy's trade balance remains positive, even though figures are more restrained than in previous years, both in values and volumes.

India: Elephants go bananas

Five elephants have strayed into villages in Yasalur hobli in the taluk last week, causing damage to crops, including bananas.

As well as damaging crops the animals have also destroyed irrigation pipes.

The farmers have complained to forest officials, but they have stated tat they are helpless to do anything. Taluk APMC committee president H H Uday stressed the government to look into the matter seriously and hope to provide a permanent solution to their problems.

Source: www.deccanherald.com

Euroasper 2012: Growth prospects for asparagus in Europe

The Vice-president of the AREFLH Luciano Trentini expresses his great satisfaction for the success of the 2012 edition of the biennial Symposium on asparagus. Mr. Trentini chaired this event, organised by Asociafruit in partnership with the AREFLH.

The asparagus leaves its seasonal product niche
The presence of more than 160 participants, coming from 10 Countries of the world shows well the interest for the culture of the asparagus, long considered to be a culture niche. The production is in light growth and the possibilities in terms of consumption are large. Since 2000, the Europeans produce and consume more and more asparagus, but competition remains strong.

Among many of the topics discussed during the two-day work, there was focus on the discussion on the future of this culture which leaves its seasonal statute for positioning itself as a product to be consumed all year long. "We have a world production whose two hemispheres become complementary during the whole year. In Europe, thanks to the use of the forced farming techniques, we produce almost the totality of asparaguses in the first 6 months of the year."

The tradition of the European asparagus culture is consolidated and supported by many recognitions of Protected Geographical Indication obtained in Italy, France and Spain (Reg.Ce 510/2008).

The origin  and the territory are determining factors for the European asparagus consumers who tend to privilege the local source.

The key points to develop the production and the market shares of this important culture were fixed at the time of the conference and include:

• the cost cutting of production and safeguard of the environment, considering that the culture is likely to decrease in front of the difficulty in finding labor.
• The genetic improvement whose objective is to determine the most productive varieties and most suited to automated harvest.
  

Mr. Trentini pointed out that "the asparagus is undoubtedly a culture able to economically satisfy the producers. Its possibilities are enormous. We can hope that a production associated with adequate marketing strategies and advertising will assert the growth of this sector".

For more information, please visit: www.areflh.org

India: Arid conditions push prices higher

Some vegetable prices have been rising sharply this week. Traders have blamed this on arid conditions in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu from where bulk of the produce is imported.

Beans shot up to Rs 48 per kg in the retail markets on Wednesday. Vegetable trader N.H. Shameed said that production of beans had been hit hard by a long dry spell in the neighbouring states, with Tamil Nadu also experiencing protracted spells of power supply disruptions.

This time last year beans were retailing at Rs16 per kg and only a month ago they were lower at Rs 36 per kg.

Mr Shameed said that there was shortage in supply of vegetables generally. Ordinarily, he said, there were 25 deliveries per day, but this had recently shrank to just 20 loads per day.

The dry weather has caused production to drop by between 30 and 40% in some of the traditional vegetable producing areas of Tamil Nadu.

On top of the falling productivity, there was also a large demand from exporters pushing up prices.

However, the situation is expected to change soon as the vegetable season is going to be gathering pace.

Source: www.thehindu.com

Chile: Table grape market report in Europe

Low prices for table grapes in the European market were registered. This is the result, in some cases, of the poor quality and condition of the fruit, and over supply.

White Seedless Grape Market:

Decofrut pointed out that the situation for the Sugraone variety is difficult, since it has shown greater quality and
condition problems than the Thompson Seedless. However, this last variety does not report dynamic sales, but achieved
better sales rate. Given this situation Chilean Sugraone prices, during week 11, tended to be at a low, concentrating their FOT prices around  €10.88 / 8.2 kilos (size L), which is 22% lower in relation to the average price in the same week of last season.

Meanwhile, the average value of the Thompson Seedless variety is € 12.88 for 8.2 kilos.

 

On the other hand, Decofrut notes that while the South African grape season is coming to an end, there is still presence of this fruit, in a significant volume in the market.

 

England: In this part of Europe, the demand for table grapes remains moderate, while the price range is very wide due to heterogeneity in the quality and condition of the fruit.

Red Seedless Grape Market:

As for red varieties, Decofrut notes that both the Continent and in England, the market remains very complicated due to high presence of Flame Seedless volumes and the various problems of quality and condition observed this season in the South African and Chilean supply.

Regarding prices, Chile reached for the Flame Seedless variety prices around €6.5 for 4.5 kilos format (size L) and €7.5 for the punnet (5 kilos) format. This last value is 43% lower compared to last season.

On the other hand, in England, despite low prices at which Flame Seedless is being offered, dynamism does not increase considerably. Meanwhile, the Crimson Seedless variety FOT prices reached £6-£7 / 4.5 kilo box.

 

Finally, as for the market trend for red seedless table grapes, Decofrut notes that although no major changes are foreseen for Flame Seedless, in the near future it is expected for Crimson Seedless to achieve better results.



Market for Red Globe and other varieties:

Like the previous weeks, Decofrut states that Red Globe sales were quiet, with prices according to quality and condition, having mainly, Peruvian and South African offer.

For the XL size, the price for the Peruvian Red Globe spun between € 1.59 and € 1.67/kilo, while South Africa´s Red Globe was around €6.5 to €7 the 4.5 kilo box.

 

Finally, with regards to this variety´s tendency, it is expected that in the coming weeks Chile will begin to take more strength and market share.

Source: Decofrut-SimFRUT

Spain: Mercabarna barricaded in protests

A syndicalist sets up a barricade of burning tires at the main entrance of Mercabarna, the biggest wholesale market in Barcelona, on March 29, 2012 in Barcelona, Spain. Spanish workers staged a general strike to protest the governments new labour reform. (Zimbio.com)

Spanish unions are holding a general strike to protest against labour reforms which the new government hopes will help cut unemployment.

Road, rail and air transport were all affected.

Unions claimed strong support at industrial sites but Mariano Rajoy's conservative government played down the action.

It plans to unveil measures on Friday to save tens of billions of Euro.

The strike is the government's first big challenge since taking office.

Scientists could turn oranges red

UK researchers identify gene that makes blood oranges red, believe they could create varieties to be grown around the worl.

Scientists at the John Innes Centre in Norwich, England, say they have identified the 'ruby' gene that turns Sicilian blood oranges red.

The gene is believed to be the source of health benefits that make blood oranges a potent weapon in the fight against obesity and heart disease.

The fruit is currently more expensive for consumers than its 'blond' relatives because it requires a cold period during ripening and as a result is largely grown commercially only on the Italian island of Sicily.

Professor Cathie Martin, the leader of the research team, said: "Our improved understanding of this trait could offer relatively straightforward solutions to growing blood oranges reliably in warmer climates through genetic engineering."

Prof. Martin told a press conference it should take seven years to genetically engineer blood orange varieties that could thrive in other orange-growing areas such as Brazil and Florida.

The study is published in the latest issue of The Plant Cell journal.

Abnormal formation on a Valencia

Jim Ellis, Fresh From Florida, found something strange on an orange and asked Dr. Fred Gmitter, at the University of Florida Citrus Experiment Station in Lake Alfred Florida, what it was. He had never seen this before. "The abnormal formation is possibly a genetic mutation", he said about the green Valencia.

Searching for disease resistant banana variety

In the 80s a disease named black Sigatoka became a great threat to the banana plantations. This fungus is very difficult to control because it affects a number of varieties and it becomes very quickly resistant against pesticides. Together with the Panama disease it forms a great threat for the banana cultivation worldwide. Especially for the smaller traders there had to be something done to make sure that the food security was not compromised. The people saw the need to keep all varieties safe and search for disease resistant bananas. The worlds biggest and most extensive banana collection is in Leuven (Belgium).    

The collection in the Laboratorium Tropische Plantenteelt (Laboratory for Tropical plants) is managed by Bioversity International, and consists of about 1400 varieties from around the world. The active collection is preserved in vitro, in test tubes, in a room with light at a temperature of 15 C. From of every variety about 20 plants are kept. However, contaminations and mutations may occur. To avoid this the laboratory in Leuven has come up with a method that the plants are kept in liquid nitrogen at a temperature of -196 °C, which stops the development. "This the  safest and most sustainable method and the only one of its kind", advises Ines Van der Houwe of sector biological plant technique.                 

The laboratory is working to get an as complete collection as possible. "With the present collection we represent a significant part of the biodiversity of the banana, but the real purpose is to develop more," says Ines. She is hoping that in the future she will bring more wild varieties back. "Besides disease resistance we are also looking for bananas that are resistant against drought, because with the climate changing we will need them in the future." This gene bank is part of an organisation with a worldwide network of banana scientists, that has supported the creation of this unique extensive collection.      

Each year, samples from the collection of 800 different species are spread worldwide to different research institutes, amongst others to create resistant banana varieties. The material also gets sent to developing countrys for the smaller growers. "The living conditions of the locals have been improved by giving them suitable varieties to offer them food security and a source of income, that is a important focus point of the organization."         

In the laboratory, located at the University of Leuven, people are working hard on using genetic modification to create a banana variety which is no longer affected by harmful fungus. Ines indicates that the classic breeding with bananas is very difficult because an edible banana doesn't have any seeds. Through some interventions people are succeeding in producing seeds with the positive features of the cross breeds.      

The bananas that are consumed in Europe are mainly the variety Cavendish. Because there is a monoculture the banana disease could become a serious problem for the banana. Now breeding products have been developed that are immune to the sickness, but these plants are, according to Ines, much more use to the local growers. "We're working hard to discover new genes that are resistant, to make sure that even here we still keep eating bananas.           

 

Direct sales for Greek potatoes

As producers and consumers suffer the effects of Greece's economic collapse, a new scheme has been devised that is beneficial for both Greek potato growers are finding new ways to reach cash-strapped consumers as the country suffers one of the worst economic crises in European history, the Guardian has reported.

Christos Kamenides, professor of agricultural marketing at the University of Thessaloniki, is facilitating direct sales, which he says allow consumers to get "good quality food for a third of the price they would normally pay".

Moreover, he says, "the producers get their money straight away".

Basically, a town hall announces a sale, locals say what they want, the town hall informs Kamenides of the volume needed and his students call farmers to find a supplier, whereupon a collection time and place are arranged.

Kamenides told the Guardian: "Today, we have one truck here, and two in another municipality up the road. Tomorrow we have a sale with four trucks – that's 100 tonnes of potatoes, straight from the producer to the consumer, with nobody in the middle pushing up prices."

The movement appears to be extremely popular. One shopper Elisabet Tsitsopoulou commented: "Salaries here are so low now, and still falling, but the price of everything seems to stay just as high as it ever was. This is much cheaper, much less than half price."

And producers are equally enthusiastic. Apostolos Kasapis said: "I get paid straight away. The profit is not very high, just a bit above the production cost, but I get the money immediately, which in this crisis is very important."

The movement has been enthusiastically taken up by local mayors, and Kamenides is reportedly working on a wider scheme for unified cooperatives involving both producers and consumers.

Southern African citrus exports to grow

Citrus export crop from southern African nations forecast to burst through 100m cartons this year, up by 4 per cent on 2011.

The South African Citrus Marketing Forum has released its first export crop forecast of the 2012 season, announcing that volume are expected to be 4 per cent higher than last year and similar to the crop of 2010.

The forecast includes export volumes from Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Swaziland, although the contribution of these countries to the total volume will be relatively small.

Soft citrus export volumes will be 10 per cent higher than last season and are expected to reach 7.6m cartons. Grapefruit shipments are forecast to decrease by 6 per cent to 13.4m cartons, while exports of lemons should increase by around 3 per cent.

Both navels and valencias, which together account for two-thirds of the total South African citrus export crop, will be up on last year. navels will increase by 8 per cent and valencias by 4 per cent to 22m cartons and 46m cartons respectively.

The season has already kicked of with the soft citrus category, satsuma, which is showing a 14 per cent increase on last year's disappointing crop, mainly due to better climatic conditions and the availability of more water in the main production region of the Eastern Cape.

Lemon exports are also well underway and exports will be higher this year mainly due to central northern regions having recovered from last year's hail damage.

Andalusia wilts under ongoing drought

Persistently dry conditions affecting southern Spain, which is still reeling from frost damage in Februar.

More than 137,000ha of fruit and vegetable production in the Spanish region of Andalusia have reportedly been damaged as a result of frosts in February and ongoing drought affecting much of southern Spain.

According to the regional government of Andalusia, the country's largest production region for fruits and vegetables, low temperatures and frosts that struck between 11-14 February had "negative consequences" for many Spanish growers.

Among the crops damaged were 1,066ha of open air vegetables – including 874ha of lettuce – 10,478ha of citrus production and 2,800ha of other fruits.

Currently, the Andalusian authorities said production was also being threatened by ongoing drought in the region, which is adversely affecting everything from fruits and vegetables to cereal crops and cattle farming. 

Maersk suspends Europe-Asia bookings

Shipping line suspends bookings after Chinese New Year leads to trade imbalance between Europe and Asia.

Danish shipping giant Maersk Line is no longer taking bookings for cargo travelling from northern Europe to Asia owing to insufficient vessel capacity.

According to a statement from the company the move comes in light of a large number of consecutive cancellations of vessels travelling from Asia to Europe during Chinese New Year.

"The booking stop is temporary and we are working to clear it as soon as possible so that we can resume booking acceptance as usual. Based on the current situation, an early estimate is for the backlog to be cleared by early May," the statement declared.

"We are implementing this complete booking stop to ensure we prioritise and deliver on the bookings we have already accepted. By implementing this booking stop, we take action to resolve the situation as soon as possible," continued the statement.

Portugal: Frosts affecting citrus production

There has been talk of the drought conditions in Spain and Portugal and the problems this is likely to cause to agricultural production. Now it is emerging that late frosts in Portugal's Algarve are also likely to lead to substantial losses in citrus production.

The Ministry of Agriculture says that the resultant fall in production "can not yet
be quantified."

It is expected that the weather conditions will wreak havoc on production in mid season and later varieties. Which actually means its not bad news for everyone and some of the fruits being harvested now are on good form. Similarly some areas have escaped the worst of the frosts and have enough water currently.

Guilherme Cruz of Algarve Oranges spoke to FreshPlaza saying, "At the moment we are harvesting the Lane Late variety. They are doing well on the market and are of very good quality.

"We were lucky with the frosts and we have enough water for irrigation."

source: freshplaza.com

UK: Bus driver fired for eating a grape

Michael Shepard, a 66 year old bus driver from the West Midlands, has been given the sack by national Express for the heinous act of eating a grape.

Mr Shepard was spotted putting the fruit into his mouth on CCTV and was promptly suspended, despite the fact that he was not driving at the time, but was sat stationary in his cab.

He said: "I am so angry. I thought I would be given a disciplinary for eating a grape, but not sacked.''

He said: "I don't eat or drink while I am driving but I was just sat stationary at the bus terminus in Bedworth for a few minutes and took a grape to wet my mouth a bit."

Mr Shephard has lodged an appeal against the sacking with the bus company which he hopes will be heard in the coming weeks.

A spokesman for National Express said: "The driver in question hasn't exhausted the disciplinary process that we have as a company and as a result we cannot make any public comment.

"However we do hold ourselves to high levels of safety and customer care standards."

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Costa Rica: Drought affects banana exports

The lack of rain in the banana producing areas during January and February of this year led to a fall of 26.81% in the value of these exports and a 23.62% in volume.

According to data from the Foreign Trade Promoter (Procomer) in the first two months of the year, $88 million was accumulated due to the 242,384 metric tons that were exported.

Jorge Sauma, general manager of the National Banana Corporation (Corbana), explained that although the decrease in temperature has also affected some crops, droughts are the main cause for this down fall.

This kind of climate has affected plantations since last year. However, 2011 ended with record exports for the industry: about $803 million.

Banana exports have fallen mainly to European countries like Germany and Sweden, but have been increasing to destinations such as Russia and Spain, according to data from Procomer.

Source:Elfinancierocr.com 

India: Kinnow added to crop insurance scheme

The Haryana state horticulture department has included kinnow farming under its crop insurance scheme in the hope of stimulating further interest in its cultivation.

Currently an area of  over 20,000 acres is under Kinnow cultivation in Sirsa district  and the growers there are earning Rs 140 crore from this crop.
 
A spokesman for the department said that such insurance had already been provided to cover 150 acres under kinnow cultivation.

Under the insurance scheme cover is to be provided for damage to crops in the event of such things as storms, heavy rainfall and extreme temperatures.

He said that insured farmers would have to pay 50 per cent of the premium amount and the Centre and State governments would pay the balance amount. He said that tow if the involved insurance companies would be India Limited and ICICI Lombard. 
 
many farmers will benefit from this scheme as kinnow is one of the most prevalent crops in the region. Exports of the fruit go to diverse areas, including the UK, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, as well as metropolitan Indian areas.

Source: www.punjabnewsline.com

Russia threatens ban of dried fruit imports

Russia is threatening to ban imports of dried fruit from Tajikistan and Azerbaijan, according to a press release issued by Rosselnadzor, Russia's agricultural oversight agency.

The possibility of a ban emerges after repeated instances of pests being discovered in shipments of dried fruits from both countries, according to the agency.

Rosselnadzor has warned the countries of measures they need to take to avoid the ban, stating that it reserves "the right to take additional protective measures."

Source: centralasiaonline.com

Italy: 2012 asparagus campaign starts

The 2012 asparagus campaign is starting and FreshPlaza asked Luciano Trentini (see pictured) - President of "Euro Asper", Association of European asparagus producers - for an analysis of the situation.

"We hope the new season will give great satisfaction to the producers, although in some areas, especially in Northern Italy, the low rainfall is likely to reduce production. It is necessary to verify the need to intervene case-by-case with water intakes, it is better to use drip systems, to avoid soil compaction."

2011 statistics show: "Asparagus areas in Italy – explained by Trentini - show a good production record, thanks to a good consumer demand and to the discrete commercial performance of the past years. In 2011 6,300 hectares of asparagus were cultivated, with a production of over 45,000 tonnes."

"A reduction in imports was recorded of 4,300 tonnes in 2011 with an average price between 2.5 and 3 Euro. In contrast, exports have gained an important market share over time, going from 1,000 tonnes in 2000 to 3,500 tons in 2011, with an interesting export price, higher than 3 Euro/kg, with peaks up to 4 Euro."

"Market prices for green asparagus have grown in Northern Italy, in the growing season from April to June they were relatively stable and ranged between 2 and 3.5 Euro, depending on the offer. Higher prices are achieved by producers of early asparagus, cultivated in Neapolitan greenhouses, and of the white ones grown exclusively in the areas of Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia".

We must underline that this production is used and valued not only in Spring but also in Autumn, although still modest in quantity, and with a range of prices considerably wider and more variable depending on product availability. Prices in this case are very unstable, between 3 and 4 Euro/kg.

Italy is Europe's leader in green asparagus cultivation, while competitor countries (Germany, Spain, etc.) focus mainly on the production of white asparagus.

"Compared to other vegetables – continues Luciano Trentini – for its peculiarities the asparagus maintains the characteristics of a niche market, with still very modest quantities purchased by consumers. Considering the value of purchased vegetables and the short interval of about two months, the asparagus represents in terms of volume less than 2%, while in value, this percentage rises to 3.5%, showing a high quality of our production."

A production that over time has been able to maintain or even increase its admirers. Consumption grew from 19,500 tonnes in 2000 to 22,500 in 2011. This is an increase that satisfied producers and consumers of quality asparagus grown in Emilia-Romagna and that has found a recognition under the name recognized by the European Union "green asparagus of Altedo PGI" (pictured above).

Other regions took the same road, such as Veneto, getting community recognition "White asparagus of Cimadolmo PGI", "green and white Asparagus of Badoere PGI" and "White asparagus of Bassano" (pictured below).

Trentini continues: "Asparagus lovers of either green or white or violet  - the most famous is that of Alberga - focus their attention towards this production mainly in the months of production, April - June, where they can be bought in bundles packaged by 0.5 kg or 1 kg."

The asparagus, which has to be sold fresh and with the heads well closed, has considerable potential in the domestic market. It is one of the vegetables with low index penetration of families, namely the value expressed as a percentage of Italian families who have bought asparagus at least once in the year is still very low: a little less than 40%.

"With an additional and appropriate product promotion - asparagus is relatively unknown by young consumers - strong possibilities of development for the high quality areas could derive," the President of the Euro Asper adds. "The confirmation of this is given by the increase of the index penetration of the latter decade, equal to 10 percentage points."

National production areas are well identified in two places, one in Northern Italy in Veneto (24% of production) and Emilia-Romagna (13%) and the South, Puglia (24%) and Campania (22%). These different productive areas for soil and climatic characteristics, which are able to provide quality productions intended mainly to the fresh market.

"We must remember – points out Trentino - Italy had an important past in the transformation of fresh asparagus to frozen. In a commercial system that has always favoured quality, it is necessary to re-evaluate this opportunity that could become an important control instrument in the market. Creating a better programming of the offer that guarantees continuity, it would keep a sufficiently remunerative price to the producer."

Some of these issues, related to the production, distribution and consumption of asparagus, will be brought to the attention of the European producers, during the 9th Euro Asper Congress, from March 21st to March 23th in Granada, Spain.

India: EU grape exports up

Grape growers in Maharashtra have already exported 8,326 tons of grapes to the EU this year - 2,000 tons more than they had exported at this stage last year.

The price they are receiving per kg - Rs 40 to 60 ($0.80-$1.20 US) is higher tham the domestic market prices, according to Pandurang Watharkar, director, processing and planning, state department of agriculture.

At this stage last year grape exports to the EU were at 6,360 tons.

Though this represents considerable growth it is unlikely to match the levels witnessed in 2009, which were at 37,000 tons. Watharkar said, "In 2010, some retail companies from the European Union rejected grape containers from Maharashtra, claiming higher than the prescribed usage of plant growth regulator or growth hormones. The losses were so heavy that many farmers stayed away from export to EU, despite it being the most lucrative market. Farmers instead concentrated on west Asian (Gulf) market and some preferred selling their produce in the domestic market to cut losses."

Most of the state's grape growers acted accordingly last year and sold their grapes domestically.

Grapes exported to the Gulf countries, like those sold domestically, do not attract thie prices offered by exports to the EU.

A grape grower from Narayangaon said, "We have to fill various documents and conduct chemical residue tests on the fruit before exporting grapes to EU countries. The number of tests has increased from around 70 to nearly 170. A farmer's business is generally based on borrowing money and repaying it after harvesting the crop. Small farmers cannot afford the delays in payment realization from export, so they prefer selling their produce in the local market."

Therefore, despite high returns, the risk involved is also high and the cost of export high also. Many are expected to shy away from such marketing activities.

Source: articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Kiwifruit picking begins in NZ

New Zealand has started picking its first kiwifruit of the season, with volumes expected to be higher than early forecast.

The first kiwifruit of the New Zealand season are coming off the vine this week, as picking kicks off in the early Poverty Bay region.

Single-desk marketer Zespri said the first shipment of Gold kiwifruit, which starts picking earlier than the green Hayward variety, should hit the water in early April and will land in Japan halfway through that month.

This season's overall kiwifruit export volume from New Zealand will be down on last year, according to Zespri's supply chain general manager Sally Gardiner, but it will be higher than early-season forecasts predicted.

"2011 produced a record crop for the industry of around 115m trays, an increase of 12 per cent on the 2010 season," Gardiner said in a statement today.

"In 2012, we expect that due to Psa and seasonal factors the crop will be around 95m trays, which is closer to the production of a more normal season."

Zespri's key Gold cultivar, Hort16A, has been the worst affected by Psa, but the variety is still expected to contribute about 20m trays to the marketer's total export figures this year.

Green kiwifruit will hit about 70m trays, and organic kiwifruit will be around 3.5m trays.

New varieties rising

Importantly, Zespri's new varieties, those commercialised in 2010, will now account for around 2m trays of export fruit.

"What is really exciting is seeing new variety volumes increase," says Gardiner. "The kiwifruit industry has identified one of these varieties, known as Gold3, as the potential future foundation for our gold kiwifruit category in a Psa environment.

"This year we will have up to 1m trays of Gold3 and it will allow us to continue to build the profile of this fruit with our customers around the world and also increase our understanding of the fruit's performance throughout the Zespri supply chain."

Zespri will make a decision this Wednesday (21 March) on a potential wide-scale release of Gold3 licences to growers. The variety has shown good resistance to Psa, and is currently considered the keystone of New Zealand's recovery pathway from the disease.

The remainder of Zespri's forecast 2m trays of new varieties will be made up of Gold9 and Green14. Zespri will also continue small-volume market trials of several red-fleshed varieties, which could be released for commercialisation as early as June this year.

On the ground

China will be getting special attention from New Zealand this week, with the visit from the country's Trade Minister Tim Groser.

Groser will travel to Beijing, Shanghai and Chongqing with a delegation of 17 New Zealand trade representatives, including a representative from Zespri.

The trade minister's schedule includes speeches at the Beijing University of International Business and Economics, a meeting with Chinese counterpart Chen Deming, networking events and product launches.

Green light for Bonduelle in Russia

The French group has gained the approval of the Russian competition authorities to take over Coubanskie Conservi

French convenience specialist Bonduelle Group has released a press release stating that it has obtained the agreement of the Russian competition authorities to acquire the agro-industrial and commercial assets of French cooperative group Cecab in Russia and in the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

This authorisation, the company said, should finally allow the groups to complete the transaction, which was initially announced in January, and for Bonduelle to take effective control of the Coubanskie Conservi at the end of March.

Dole's German sale confined to logistics

Company declines to elaborate but investigation rules out sale of marketing or import operations linked to distribution

The world's largest fresh produce marketer Dole Food Company does not plan to sell its entire German division, only the part of Dole Germany involved directly in the physical distribution of its products, Eurofruit has learned.

Announcing its fourth-quarter and full-year results on 15 March, the company revealed it was in negotiations to sell off its "distribution company" in Germany.

With very little additional detail given about the sale, which is being carried out in order to cut debt and costs, some in the trade had immediately speculated that part or indeed all of Dole Germany OHG itself, which remains at the core of Dole Fresh Fruit Europe's overall operation, might be up for sale.

In a statement to the New York Stock Exchange, where Dole is listed, the group's president and chief executive officer David DeLorenzo said: "We are also pleased to report that we have entered into an agreement to sell our distribution company in Germany. This pending sale is in line with our continuing plan to divest non-core assets, and will further our goal to reduce debt and improve operating margins."

A spokesperson for Dole Fresh Fruit Europe told Eurofruit the company would be making no further comment while the sale was still pending.

It is understood that the sale will involve the divestment of logistical operations rather than areas relating to imports and marketing.

However, it remains unclear whether or not ripening and storage facilties belonging to Dole Germany – operations which arguably come under the heading 'distribution' – will also be sold.

Dole's Europe and Germany operations are based at the same office in Hamburg, where the company's headquarters has been since its relocation from Paris and a major restructuring of senior management back in October 2010.

The relocation was apparently prompted by the sale of Dole's UK and France divisions to French importer-distributor Compagnie Fruitière.

More recently, Dole's European business has begun operating as two independently managed divisions, one for tropicals such as bananas and pineapples and one for other items, including citrus, berries, deciduous fruit and exotics.

Italy: Milan in yellow, new Chiquita marketing campaign

"Prendi la gialla" ("Take the yellow one"). This is the slogan for the new Chiquita marketing campaign going on for more than a month in the urban area in Milan.

The frivolous and ironic language is totally in line with the brand and winks at citizens and commuters using one of the symbols of Milan, integrated in the everyday life, its yellow underground line.

"Take the yellow one" is thus a play upon words but also a strong call to purchase.

The author of the campaign is Armando Testa, also the inventor of other memorable advertising campaigns from Chiquita.

Besides the classic 6x3 posters distributed into underground routes and big retail, lighted maxi posters and other formats and also tramlines will be involved for more than a month, totally decorated in yellow.

"2012 will be a strong year for Chiquita communication and this campaign in Milan represents only an advance of what Chiquita will do to attract attention on its brand, consolidating the parameters of value and preference that consumers recognize in it" Paolo Prudenziati, South Europe and Middle East vice president, said.

For the planning, Chiquita relies on Initiative, the media centre that has been involved with the renowned company in Italy for more than 10 years.

Morocco: Citrus exports decline 10%

The export season of fruit and vegetables from Morocco started up and down. First, the export started with very low prices. Second, adverse weather conditions slowed growth of fruit. "The cold snap of December-January-February has virtually blocked the development of the profile of the calibration of mid-season varieties and caused damage to oranges," says Ahmed Darrab, general secretary of the Association of Producers citrus from Morocco (Aspam).

According to Darrab farmers turned more to the local market, because they received low prices in the previous seasons. In contrast, fruit and vegetable growers expect an average season. "Since March, the market has improved significantly thanks to a rise in prices", says Younis Zrikem, vice president of the Association of Producers and Exporters of fruits and vegetables (APEFEL). For tomatoes, flagship of the industry, they expect 400,000 tons, which is a record.

In total, exports of citrus, fruits and vegetables, to March 5, reached 811,382 tons against 852,344 in the previous season at the same time a slight decrease of about 5%. The decline is to attributed to the outputs of citrus whose volume stood at 380,260 tons as against 424,570 last season, down 10%. The decline is not expected to recover this campaign.

According to the Secretary General of Aspam, total exports would not exceed 500,000 tons against the planned 570,000 tons and 530,000 tons in 2010/2011. "This, for an industry of around 1.8 million tons. The local market has a special appeal for good reason, it provides immediate cash for farmers, instead of waiting 4-5 months for regulations due for export."

As for vegetables the figures show a total volume of 431,122 tons shipped 427,774 against a slight increase of 1% from the March 5 of last season. Volume which is still dominated by tomatoes whose exports reached 297,320 tons against 259,170.

Regarding the various fruits, sales focused on 16,320 tons instead of 23,426 tons. Which consist of melon, strawberry, raspberry, pomegranate and avocado.

Export of organic products are slightly down compared to last season, these products have experienced a significant diversification. Export volumes reached 5,000 tons.

Organic sales drop in 2011

According to the Soil Association, the fall in sales of organics is down to retailer cutbacks on own-brand organics

Sales of organic products fell by 3.7 per cent in the UK last year, according to a report in the Guardian newspaper, as the economic crisis forces consumers to continue tightening their budgets.

According to the latest statistics, the decline was due principally to a 5 per cent drop in supermarket sales, which account for 71.4 per cent of organic food sales, following cutbacks on own-brand organic ranges.

The UK's Soil Association said in its annual report that committed organic consumers were increasingly visiting specialist retailers in response.

Overall, organic product sales declined from £1.73bn (€2.07bn) in 2010 to £1.67bn (€2bn) in 2011 – a smaller slump than the previous year's 5.9 per cent – with fresh fruit and vegetables accounting for 23 per cent of sales.

Chief executive Helen Browning expressed confidence that the organic market would rebound. "Many consumers are clearly looking for a deeper connection to the production values behind their food," she said, "as support for farm shops, markets and independent retailers suggests."

Internationally, organic sales have fared better, growing by 8 per cent in 2011 and global sales now stand at €44.5bn.

Fairtrade products have also grown, by 12 per cent in the last year, according to the Fairtrade Foundation, from £1.17bn (€1.4bn) in 2010 to £1.32bn (€1.58bn) in 2011

US (FL): Increased citrus production will lower juice prices

It seems that, after a tumultuous few months, orange juice fans may at last be able to relax - the price is stabilising.

The cost of orange juice was rising even before the carbendazim scare, but worry amongst consumers certainly didn't do prices any favours.

The average retail price from October to Feb. 18 was 7.4 percent more than a comparable period a year earlier and total orange juice sales dropped 10.4 percent in the same time frame.

However, with the USDA report that more oranges are expected to be harvested in Florida this season should allay any fears about a shortage of juice on the shelves in stores.

As soon as the increased prediction was issued the markets responded accordingly.
Orange juice for May delivery ended down 3.1 cents at $1.857 per pound on Monday. The price has fallen about 11 percent since Jan. 10, the day after the fungicide issue was made public.

Spencer Patton, founder of the hedge fund Steel Vine Investments LLC, expects futures prices to continue to fall because of the higher crop production estimate.

However, this will not necessarily make for lower retail prices just yet, as retailers are likely to hold on to the increased prices for a time.

Source: www.miamiherald.com

India: Calls for waste water collection for growing produce

Hazardous water is being used for the cultivation of vegetables in various suburbs of Karachi and other cities. This has been known for a long time, but recently the media has started to focus on the matter.

Urban waste water flowing towards the sea can be utilised for useful purposes such as growing of vegetables and other produce.

In Australia, since water is costly, waste water is collected and used for growing vegetables.

It has been suggested that the government of Sindh should install urban waste water plants by segregating textile processing and tanneries' waste water from urban waste water. Currently the waste water is being dumped into the sea where it is environmentally hazardous.

Urban waste water plants should be installed in all districts of Karachi. It should be made sure that the water coming out of these plants does not contain any hazardous pollutants like cadmium, chromium, copper, nickel and arsenic. Then vegetables and fruits produced with this water would be suitable for human consumption.

Checking of waste water effluents and also fresh water being supplied to the urban population is one of the must important activities in all developed countries. Neither the Sindh Environmental Agency has any system to check the parameters of waste water from textile mills and tanneries headed for drains nor does the KWSB have any system for testing of fresh water.

It is suggested that the KWSB should regularly start doing microbiological tests on fresh water for waterborne organisms that could potentially cause diseases.

Source: www.dawn.com

Spanish tomato and pepper manage to have profitable costs

Peppers and tomatoes have manage to keep their quite profitable selling prices until now. Pepper, in the varieties California and Lamuyo are almost ending their season and a bigger volume of Italain pepper has been seen on the market.

Regarding quotations, prices are similar to those of seven days ago. The Italian green pepper is being sold between 0.90 and 1.20 Euro per kilo and red peppers are being quoted between 0.70 and 0.90 Euro cents per kilo. The green Lamuyo pepper registers its first prices at 1.20 Euro and ends at 0.90 cents, while red lamuyo reaches a first cut at 1.30 and ends around 1 Euro per kilo. The yellow California pepperis priced at 1.70 Euro to 1.10 Euro per kilo, while red california varies between 1.40 and 1.10 Euro per kilo. As for the green california it's being sold between 1.45 and 0.95 Euro per kilo. The bunch of tomatoes varies between 0.80 and 0.73 Euro per kilo, while the large tomato is at between 0.63 Euro and 0.50 Euro. The sweet tomato registers its first cuts at 1.20 and ends at 0.55 Euro per kilo.

Courgette price dropped down to 0.50 and late prices of 0.40 Euro per kilo. It's the product with the biggest drop during the last week. As for stripped eggplant, it registers prices from 1.40 Euro to 0.75 Euro, while large eggplant dropped to 0.40 and ended at 0.26 Euro per kilo.

Large cucumber managed to keep last week's prices without big changes. It started selling at around 0.95 Euro and ended at 0.70 Euro. The French cucumber varies between 1.05 Euro and 0.87 Euro per kilo. The dark short cucumber registers prices between 1.25 Euro and 1.00 Euro per kilo. As for large perona beans, there's a first cut of 4.30 Euro to at 2.20 Euro per kilo. Regarding emerite beans it varies between 3.80 Euro and 2.30 Euro per kilo, while white strike beans, it has an exit price of 5.60 Euro and final prices of 3.70 Euro per kilo.

Source: Junta de Andalucía

AU: Growers still counting the costs of flooding

Fruit and vegetable growers on Queensland's Sunshine and Cooloola coasts are still assessing the damage to crops from recent flooding.

The water is still draining away and some farmers will not know the full extent of damage until harvest time.

Glass House Mountains' pineapple farmer Murray Pike says the flooding has caused problems with both planting and harvest.

"Well it's affecting both because we've got plants in the ground from planting right through till ready to harvest, so it's affecting all plants because of the wet feet in the plants ... but ... if you don't get plants in the ground you actually don't get a crop in two years' time.

"So that's the problem, we've got some plants in but we were still about 150,000 short of where we needed to be."

Pineapple grower Peter Buchanan says his family is losing confidence in farming.
"We have been looking at our options but this on top of it now - there's no margins for error in farming any more in any way whatsoever ... to go and repair our roadways and everything could cost anything up towards $50,000 and there's just not that sort of money to put back into something with uncertain futures," he said.

Source: www.abc.net.au

More new exhibitors at Asia Fruit Logistica

There has been an impressive  25 per cent increase in registered exhibitors and a 23 per cent increase in demand for stand space at this year's Asia Fruit Logistica compared to the same time last year.

Asia's leading fresh produce trade show is taking place on 5-7 September 2012 at its new home, the AsiaWorld-Expo, to accommodate not only the show's strong growth, but the limitless opportunities this exciting market has to offer.

Besides a growth in size, Asia Fruit Logistica is also attracting interest from all the main global markets. Companies from 25 countries across all five continents have already registered to exhibit at the show.

This increasing enthusiasm is a clear indicator of the increasing value that the global fresh produce trade sees in Asia Fruit Logistica as the best place to do business in Asia.

For more information:
Ms. Sinenart Baramirattanachai
Tel: +66 294 146 00
sinenart@gp-events.com
www.asiafruitlogistica.com

Prison for Irish garlic scammer

Begleys boss who labelled Chinese garlic as apples to avoid import duties jailed for six years

Paul Begley, who avoided paying €1.6m in customs duties on more than 1,000 tonnes of garlic, has been sentenced to six years in prison by a judge at a criminal court in Dublin.

The boss of family distributor Begleys had balked at paying garlic import duties of up to 232 per cent, choosing instead to describe the produce as apples on importation documents.

Judge Martin Nolan decided to impose a lengthy prison sentence for the "huge" tax evasion scheme that would serve as a deterrent to others.

He said the import tax on garlic "may or may not" be too high, but that was for the government – not individuals – to decide.

The scam was uncovered by a customs and revenue investigation that revealed email exchanges between Begley and his Chinese supplier about falsifying the garlic's paperwork.

Tesco to expand in Malaysia

UK retail giant Tesco plans to expand its network across Malaysia and renovate existing stores

British retail giant Tesco is planning to spend US$20m on opening new stores across Malaysia and refurbishing many of its existing 45 outlets, reports www.insideretail.asia.

The firm also plans to open new shops in Sabah and Sarawak, Tesco Malaysia CEO SungHwan Do told the publication.

"Prices of some goods there are often higher than those in Pensinsular Malaysia and we hope to narrow the price gap," he is quoted as saying.

Tesco Malaysia was founded in 2001 as a 70:30 alliance between Tesco UK and local conglomerate Sime Darby Berhad, according to the report. 

In a separate development, Japanese retailer Aeon is to rebrand all its Jusco Malaysian stores.

In a statement, Aeon said its stores will undergo a facelift consistent with the new Aeon corporate identity while still retaining the familiar Jusco feel.

All Jusco stores will be renamed Aeon. 

Austrian buys Serbian raspberry harvest (50,000 tones)!

The Austrian businessman Michael Wally made an 80 million Euro deal though his company CWS Best Food with the association of Servian raspberry producers. They decided on a kilo price of 1.6 Euro for 50,000 tonnes of raspberries, which will be harvested this year, reported Serbian media.

In Serbia 350,000 people are involved in growing raspberries, says Dragisa Terzic, chairman of the producers association. Due to the deal with CWS Best Food another 50,000 extra season workers jobs will be created. For the producers the deal also has the benefit that the price they will get for their raspberries is known before the harvest, which is a first.

Last year raspberry growers from Servia protested against the purchase prices they were offered by cooling houses. The producers wanted one Euro per kilo. The buyers only wanted to pay 60 cents. This has caused the production to decrease by 30% in recent years, says Terzic.

Italy (Sicily): Serious damages as result of hailstorm

Damages in fields are incalculable, not only for the product, as a result of the cloudburst and the heavy hailstorm which happened on 7th March, 2012. The whole Sicilian area from Catania to Siracusa was affected by a hailstorm unprecedented in history, for an hour about 50 centimeters of hail that flooded citrus orchards.

Damage to the fruit hanging on the tree was 100%, no citrus fruit is on the branches now. Damages are recorded also for tree and leaves, quite integrally torn-off.

The current citrus campaign undergoes the last mortal blow, resulting in the worst campaign ever: climate changing, truck drivers' strike, snow and frost in late January, volcanic ash and wind in February and now this hailstorm.

Companies ask for timely and appropriate measures for citrus cultivation and agriculture in general. Otherwise a collapse is possible with the consequent abandonment of agricultural activities.

In the central-eastern area of Sicily, 100 km per hour gusts of wind and torrential rain affected greenhouses, arboreal plants and open field crops ready for harvest. Huge damages are recorded in the nursery sector and rural building; there is also a lack of electricity. In many cases access roads to farms were destroyed due to landslips and landslides.

Sicilian Confagricoltura is already trying to quantify the damage. From first notifications, especially in the province of Ragusa, damages amount to several million Euro.