The French raspberry sector has potential
All raspberry production basins in France are now active at the beginning of July. “With average temperatures in May, this year’s harvest was not early, unlike in 2022. The last high-altitude

"European melon cultivation challenges make Brazilian supply a good, reliable alternative"

Slight delay, good yield prospects
For almost three weeks now, apricots have been diligently harvested at the Kiefer fruit farm in the heart of the Ortenau. "We are about ten days behind with all crops, but the yields are quite

"Good weather means Dutch blueberries are ripening faster than expected"
On Monday, in the Netherlands, the Berrybrothers team began picking the new season's first blueberries. "The timing surprised us a bit. With the wet, dark March and April, we thought we'd start a

"Zaltbommel and Service2Fruit joining forces to get the best prices for growers from the market"
Unburdening is key to Veiling Zaltbommel's philosophy. This Dutch cooperative considers both the buyer and the grower in several ways. For example, growers were recently offered a switching

Primever opens Dutch branch
On June 1, 2023, Primever Holland opened in Poeldijk, the Netherlands. It has cross-docking facilities for fruit and vegetable transport to France and its distribution from there to the

"Since the weather warmed up, fruit sales are booming again"
The beautiful sunny weather is a godsend for Michel van den Berg of the Dutch wholesaler De Best AGF. "Spring stayed cold for a long time, which put our sales behind compared to last year. But

Dutch company launches shandy made from rejected mandarins

'Only advantages from centralised sales'
Customers' demands are increasing, competition is fierce, and organic and club apples demand more and more attention. These are just some of the reasons that prompted Vip Val Venosta to start a

South Africa: Citrus industry analyses flood damage
Heavy rains in the Western Cape have caused flooding in some areas, affecting the citrus industry in particular. Citrusdal, located in the Olifants River Valley, was hit particularly hard after

Netherlands: Will zero percent VAT on fruit and vegetables come in 2024?
On 19 September, the cabinet will announce whether VAT on fruit and vegetables will be reduced to 0% in 2024 or whether there will be alternative measures. This was in response to questions from

Continued volume growth as South Africa’s blueberry industry matures
A recent BerriesZA symposium demonstrated the levels of optimism and commitment within South Africa’s blueberry industry, remarks the organisation's new chairperson. “The new blueberry crop is

"South African citrus started on empty market"
Spring was a long time coming in the Netherlands, but the somewhat grayer weather was good for citrus sales, says Gijsbert van Leeuwen, responsible for procurement at Olympic Fruit. "It wasn't

The future of black grapes
As new green varietals continue to expand the grape market year over year, black grapes have become a rarer sight on retail shelves due to their decreasing demand from buyers. As breeders aim to

Tomatoes, now you can grow them without the help of the plant
Is it possible to produce fruit and berries without the aid of the plant? It sounds utopian, but it is the experiment of researcher Lucas Van Der Zee from the Dutch University of Wageningen, who,

BayWa r.e. builds largest "Fruitvoltaic" project in Europe
In the Netherlands, BayWa r.e. and its subsidiary GroenLeven have begun construction on Europe's largest "Fruitvoltaic" project. The plant, which involves placing PV modules over raspberries, has

"Red Conference has potential on all green Conference pear sales markets"
"Very pricey" is how the Staay Food Group - Direct Fruit Services' Alex van Ieperen describes the current pear market. "Everything has been working in favor of good pear sales. In hindsight,

“Sweden and Morocco are new Xenia pear sales markets”
The Dutch Xenai pear sales season ended earlier than expected, in late April. Xenia Europa's sales manager Raymond van Ojen reflects on a good sales season. "The harvest was similar to last year.

Belinda Van Schaik wins MOYA 2023
Belinda Van Schaik has won the 2023 IFPA-Produce Plus Marketer of the Year Award (MOYA), sponsored by Seeka. Australasia’s premier marketing award for the fresh fruit, vegetable and floral

Marlena could overtake currant market leader
German fruit breeder Artevos says it has identified a potential long-term replacement for the popular redcurrant variety Jonkheer van Tets, an early-harvesting Dutch winter type that produces

"Major political unrest in Senegal making for a very uncertain start to the mango season"

"Limited good-quality Spanish fruit makes for high prices"
"I wouldn't know which fruit to call cheap currently," says Henk Vlaeminck of the Belgian importer Van Dijk Foods. He sees imported fruit prices rising while consumers are more reluctant to pay a

More Nova Scotian Honeycrisp apples in 2023
Gala apples are in demand. “We see Gala movement going really well and will lead to strong summer pricing for them,” says Michael Van Meekeren of Van Meekeren Farms. “On pricing, some

"May had very ordinary melon prices"
On the European melon market, May was nothing to write home about. "That applies to not only the overseas season's tail end," says Leon van den Hombergh. "But also the Spanish season's start."

West Michigan expects record blueberry yield this season
West Michigan blueberry fields are inching closer and closer to peak blueberry season. Farms throughout the region have had to suffer weather problems, but this season, the largest projected crop