Yesterday at www.freshfruitportal.com we took a look at the stories that shaped the first half of 2011, at least in terms of what was most read.

While the second half covered a wide variety of global issues, the ascent of Peru was hard to ignore. The country gained avocado access to the U.S. market without cold treatment, hosted its first PMA Fresh Connections event and Camposol declared it would become Peru's first fresh produce multinational. Nonetheless, its neighbor Chile remains the Southern Hemisphere's largest fruit exporter.

Across the Pacific Ocean, Chile has sent its first blueberries to China where Australians too are knocking on the door for cherry market access, which Chile already has. The 'Middle Kingdom' looks set to become a new playing field for the two agricultural nations, who this year overlapped with orange supplies in the U.S.

In the face of an increasingly competitive North American market, the Australian citrus industry is looking for new ways to organize itself, and hopes to emulate the South African model.

South Africa itself attracted interest from Argentine investors and research institutions, but many growers suffered from an oversupplied citrus market this year, as well as common agricultural problems facing many countries like exchange rate difficulties and rising logistics costs.

October marked www.freshfruitportal.com's first birthday and first showing at PMA Fresh Summit in Atlanta, where we were pleased by the feedback and ideas given to us by our readership; by virtue of modern technology, this need not be something that is limited to industry events, so please don't hesitate to contact us in 2012 at info@freshfruitportal.com.

In an industry that is always looking for inspiration, whether it be reflective or through new ideas, varieties, methods or markets, we were impressed by the vision shown by so many in 2011 and look forward to more of it in 2012. One prime example is New Zealand, which is up against the ropes fighting kiwifruit vine disease Psa-V, yet industry players are confident a solution can be found and are looking for recovery through a range of scientific approaches.

New Zealand is not alone. The world over growers are facing pest incursions, wild weather and constant market uncertainty, but despite this the industry carries on, supermarket shelves get stocked and consumers are likely unaware of the complexity that goes into each piece of fruit they buy.

At www.freshfruitportal.com our goal is to make that complexity easier to understand, giving participants across the supply chain the information they need to make the right decisions, and a platform to discuss and express their views. We are looking forward to what 2012 will bring and hope that you are too. Below are the most read stories of the second half of 2011 for your perusal.

July

Second coldsnap hits Argentine lemon crops. Click here

Peruvian avocadoes to enter U.S. without cold treatment. Click here

Mexican supply chain flaws put U.S. avocado exports at risk. Click here

Tough apples and all that Jazz in NZ. Click here

August

Unusual snow hits northern Chilean grape province. Click here

Proposed NZ food bill 'ridiculous', says industry leader. Click here

Argentine company to acquire South African citrus farm. Click here

Mini 'crop copter' to cut costs for SH growers. Click here

September

Peru: Camposol to become fresh produce multinational. Click here

Chilean fruit company to expand direct export services. Click here

The promises and priorities of Peruvian horticulture. Click here

Aussie citrus growers looking for exit. Click here

October

POM Wonderful finding new ways to put pomegranates on the map. Click here

'Be cautious with processing', Naturipe warns blueberry growers. Click here

Middle Eastern fruit market shifting to consignment deals. Click here

NZ kiwifruit spray program under fire. Click here

November

U.S. consumers change buying habits, claims Oppenheimer. Click here

Zespri faces US$735,000 fine for monopolistic practices in Korea. Click here

Costa Rican pineapple company to double cultivation. Click here

Bee Buzz: the clock is ticking for South American bee colonies. Click here

December

Slave labor case rocks Buenos Aires blueberry operation. Click here

Chilean grapes need momentum to drive season, says Fisher Capespan exec. Click here

First Chilean blueberries on their way to China. Click here

Fair trade audits aren't costly and improve lives. Click here

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