United Fresh estimates US$5B loss for fresh produce industry from Covid-19 outbreak

United Fresh said the immediate impact would be US$5bn for exposure for lost inventory and risk to growers, US$1bn a week in lost sales, as well as tens of thousands employee furloughed.

March 24 , 2020

South African ag operations "will continue" despite lockdown, industry body assures

"It would be wrong to say it is ‘business as usual’ as we will need to change some of what we do – but operations must continue," said Justin Chadwick of Fruit South Africa.

March 24 , 2020

"Looming food crisis" unless global supply chain takes action, FAO reports

A recent FAO report details how "both lives and livelihoods" are at particular risk in the global agricultural industry and how supply chains must act fast.

March 24 , 2020

Mexican table grape crop to be lower and earlier than last year

The industry is expecting a 20% year-on-year drop from 23.6m cartons to 19.7m, which is largely the result of frosts at the start of the year.

March 23 , 2020

EU border restrictions disrupting food supplies, industry groups say

They also raised concerns over potential labor shortages, after more than a dozen countries either tightened or shut its borders as the number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 rises rapidly on the continent.

March 19 , 2020

U.S. limits guest worker visas for Mexicans

As of today, new applications will not be processed for the H2A guest worker program and only returning seasonal workers will be allowed to enter the U.S.

March 18 , 2020

Southern Africa expecting record citrus crop and remains confident of successful season

The Southern African citrus sector is expecting record export volumes this season, which an industry body still expects to be a success in spite of multiple challenges. 

March 17 , 2020

U.S. waives hours of service rules for emergency food transport

The U.S. has issued an emergency declaration that impacts hours of service rules regulating the trucking industry, which will apply to six areas including food for emergency restocking of stores.

March 17 , 2020

Fyffes boosts stake in major German importer

Fyffes has upped its stake in Fruchtimport vanWylick by purchasing the shareholdings of Capespan and Gemüsering, thereby becoming a majority owner.

March 13 , 2020

Numerous produce industry events canceled or postponed due to coronavirus

As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to spread around the world, numerous produce industry events have been either canceled for this year or postponed.

March 12 , 2020