Cocaine found in banana containers at Malta Freeport
A total 270 kilograms of cocaine were intercepted by Customs in two containers loaded with bananas. These were intercepted at Malta Freeport, sailing from Ecuador to Slovenia. Customs said that

"High demand for early glasshouse produce in direct marketing"
On May 22, about the same time as last year, Lower Rhine horticultural company Hoffmann could offer the first blueberries of this year's season. The home-fresh produce from unheated glasshouses is

Back end of Pacific Northwest cherry crop to be lighter with bigger cherries
Last week’s jump in temperatures in Washington was welcomed by Pacific Northwest cherry growers. In turn, this also means that the back end of the cherry crop is likely to be a more moderate

Fertilisation matters. What to do when you have several varieties of strawberries?
When planning to grow strawberries, it is advisable to find out in advance what requirements the varieties have and divide them in this respect. The Strawberry Inspirations collection grows as

"Availability of quality cherries is holding up this season"
In week 20, Bienek Fruchthandels began selling Spanish cherries this year. "The season started with smaller fruits, each carrying a diameter of about 26-28 mm. However, since the middle of this

Reefer shipping to outpace growth of dry cargo trade
Seaborne reefer trade is on the brink of returning to growth in 2023, with volumes set to increase by 2.1%, outpacing the wider dry cargo trade, to reach 140.5 million tons this year. Probably,

“Right now, everybody in the US is desperate for grapes”

Akorn Technology announces fresh mango business expansion in Africa
Following the successful introduction of their Akorn Natural™ coatings for mango and avocado in South America, Akorn Technology announces the expansion of their business in Africa. With funding

Vegetable cultivation trend in Germany seems to decline
In Germany, vegetables were grown on around 126,000 hectares in 2022 - a decline of around four percent compared to the previous year. This is according to the report of the "National Dialogue on

"The East African market and the African continent is fundamental for us"
Amenduni Nicola Spa will attend the Second International Africa Avocado Congress, scheduled from 31 May to 3 June 2023 at the Sarit Expo Centre in Nairobi, Kenya. Amenduni is a company that

"We don't expect a stone fruit oversupply on the market anytime this summer"
At Royal, blueberries and raspberries are giving way to the stone fruit season. "Our biggest concern this year is the drought," says Macarena Garcia Otero Reina. "The situation on availability

Barbera starts with premium seedless grapes ARRA Sugar Drop™
The campaign for Barbera's premium seedless ARRA Sugar Drop™ (ARRA 30) grape is about to start: around the beginning of June, the picking will begin. Very thin skin that melts in the mouth;

Potatoes from the new harvest at record-low prices in Georgia in EastFruit’s history – they are even lower than the prices for older potatoes
EastFruit analysts note that the new potato season in Georgia began with very high prices for the potatoes of the new harvest. However, according to a survey held on May 19, the average wholesale

WA citrus season opens as industry continues to flourish
Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis has launched the 2023 Western Australian citrus season today, with premium quality WA oranges, mandarins and lemons about to hit retail shelves. The

Later transition to import soft citrus in 2023?
There’s always a bit of uncertainty hanging over just when U.S. retailers will start the transition to imported soft citrus. “This year is no different,” says Mark Greenberg of Capespan

Fusarium TR4: a global solution for a global challenge
Fusarium TR4 has galvanised the banana industry like never before. The evolution of joint strategies to contain its spread and develop disease resistant varieties have accelerated as the fungal

Dissolution of Ecuador's National Assembly leads to delay of FTA start with China
Ecuador’s banana and other industries have done the homework with a free trade agreement (FTA) signed with China, but now they have a slightly longer waiting period before they can enjoy the

Albert Heijn uses AI to improve strawberry offer
Retailer says new technology can cope with variations in product shelf-life and make far more accurate predictions Dutch supermarket chain Albert Heijn says its strawberry supply chains can be

Mazzarrone now produces also tomatoes
The grape crisis, or rather crises, taking place in Italy, as repeatedly reported, was not overcame by all producers. Those who have been able to, have tried to come up with new ideas and new

Коста-Рика подписала торговое соглашение с ОАЭ
Коста-Рика и ОАЭ подписали несколько соглашений о финансах, сотрудничестве и инвестициях, которые

Frozen fruits and berries: are we ready for the 2023/24 season?
The 2022/23 season has been very difficult for freezers, which will have a lot of adverse consequences for the new season. EastFruit experts have described these problems in detail in such

Costa Rica signs trade agreement with UAE
Costa Rica and the UAE have signed several financial, cooperation and investment agreements that will allow exports of Costa Rican fruit to the Gulf country. The agreement also addresses renewable

French apricot volumes are slightly lower than last year
According to Peaches and Apricots of France, “the very first harvest of French apricots will take place this week (week 20), and more significant volumes should arrive on the market from the end