Australia starts audit of grape growers ahead of China entry

Chinese officials will visit growers latest this month to verify pest control, field packing and double check paperwork.

January 10 , 2011

Rain in South Africa reduces grape packing estimates by up to 11%

Up to 40% of Thompson seedless in Orange River region damages

January 10 , 2011

Australia’s fruit, vegetable exports could drop 20% due to flooding

Crop damage estimated at AU $1 billion

January 10 , 2011

Peru grape exports total 53,000 tons in 4Q2010

The total is an increase of 29% over the 41,000 tons exported in the same period of 2009.

January 07 , 2011

Brazil takes measures to strengthen dollar

The decision comes days after now President Dilma Rousseff took office and looks to target a practice called “short selling”

January 07 , 2011

Costa Rica banana exports fall below 2010 expectations

Intense rains in January 2010 that affected 11,000 hectares cut about 5% from the 103 million carton projection.

January 07 , 2011

High rainfall expected to benefit Mexico’s growers

An increase in rainfall during 2010 in Mexico has pushed its capacity of irrigation dams to 90% which should cut irrigation costs by 50% for local growers.

January 07 , 2011

Unseasonal rain in Argentina complicates grape harvest

Growers on the lookout for hail damage, fungus

January 06 , 2011

New hybrid stone fruit varieties harvested in Chile

Following four years of research new hybrid varieties of peaches, nectarines and plums have been harvested by a Chilean fruit and technology consortium.

January 06 , 2011

Despite FTA, Peru asparagus not price competitive in China, USDA says

Transportation costs within China mainly to blame.

January 06 , 2011