Panama Canal functioning again after 17-hour closure due to rain

Heavy rain in Panama forced a 17-hour closure of the Panama Canal starting Wednesday afternoon, the first closure of the canal since the U.S. invasion of the country in 1989.

December 09 , 2010

Argentine region's table grape growers prepare first shipments for Dec. 10

Exports expected to fall 30% as more stock heads to raisin production because of earlier arrivals from Peru, Chile

December 09 , 2010

Tucumán citrus growers aim to ship to Asia, re-enter U.S. in 2011

Government protocols limiting the entry of the region's lemon crop in Japan and the U.S. continue to challenge the industry, but representatives are optimistic that changes are coming in 2011.

December 08 , 2010

Chile sends 240,000 cartons of grapes to Philadelphia in first shipment of 2010-11

Trade group official cautiously optimistic about prices as consumption is expected to increase

December 06 , 2010

China opens market to Argentine apples

Argentina's agricultural ministry signed a series of five agreements Tuesday with Chinese officials. The agreement covers apples, dairy products, beef and barley.

December 02 , 2010

Fewer Tucumán blueberry flights due to low prices in U.S.

Nearly one third of flights forecast for this season never materialized as the export season was cut short due to a drop in prices abroad. Importers paying only 30% of 2009 prices, which won't cover export costs, grower says

November 30 , 2010

New Zealand kiwi industry to form PSA-focused organization

The organization does not yet have a name but will incorporate industry and government representatives to plan a management strategy of the kiwi vine disease PSA.

November 29 , 2010

Delay in Peru’s asparagus harvest leads to oversupply in U.S. market

Weather conditions during the middle of 2010 delayed the harvest of asparagus in Peru, leading to an oversupply in the U.S. Other trading partners picked up more shipments as a result.

November 26 , 2010

Peru avocado shipments up 24.6% through October 2010 on US demand

The volume of Peruvian avocado exports between January and October of this year reached 59,400 metric tons (MT) a 24.6% increase compared to the same period last year as the US starts receiving the Peruvian fruit.

November 25 , 2010

Chile seedless grape growers could switch up to 15% of production to raisins

The dried fruit offers an attractive costs structure and is easier to manage, but isn't necessarily competition to the table grape.

November 23 , 2010