Chile: Fruit exports diverted from Port of Valparaiso during month-long strike

Workers have been on strike over working conditions for around a month at the Port of Valparaiso in central Chile, which has resulted in fruit exports sent from that location dropping by 90% during the opening stages of the 2018-19 season.

December 21 , 2018

Chilean table grape industry concerned about U.S. market

Exporters say that it seems the situation with red varieties in the U.S. market is more complex than for green, and they expect a greater proportion of fruit to be shipped to other destinations like Asia.

December 20 , 2018

Haskap berries to be sold in Europe after listing as traditional food

U.K.-based berry and stonefruit company Soloberry, which has been heavily involved in bringing the fruit to the EU since 2015, said it has been successfully selling haskap outside of Europe.

December 19 , 2018

Chile's Copefrut launches commercial platform in China amid rapid market evolution

Chile's second-largest cherry exporter says the new platform will give itself greater control of its produce along the supply chain and help to boost its relationships with retailers.

December 18 , 2018

U.S.: FDA identifies California farm in romaine E. coli outbreak

Investigators have identified the strain of E. coli causing the current outbreak in a sample collected in the sediment of an irrigation water, but it says that the finding on this farm does not explain all illnesses.

December 16 , 2018

U.S.: Cornell and Washington State University team up to find which fruit characteristics are most valued

Researchers compared preferences from producers, packers, and consumers for a set of appearance and eating quality traits for apple and sweet cherry.

December 13 , 2018

First Australian avocados land in Japan

A new protocol signed in May allows the export of Australian Hass avocados grown in Queensland fruit fly-free areas to Japan.

December 11 , 2018

U.S.: Western Growers, United Fresh pleased with Farm Bill compromise

Both produce associations have welcomed the compromise on the US$867 billion legislation recently approved by the Senate, although Western Growers expressed disappointment over certain aspects.

December 11 , 2018

First bananas grown without soil to be harvested

The initiative, which is part of an association between Wageningen University in the Netherlands and Chiquita, is aimed at preventing the spread of TR4.

December 10 , 2018

Slower start for Chilean avocado exports

Shipments through September were down 58% year-on-year at 18,580 metric tons (MT) due to a later start, but Hass production is expected to rise by 9% during the season.

December 07 , 2018