Australian govt reaches compromise on controversial backpacker tax

The National Farmers’ Federation has welcomed the new 15% tax on temporary workers, with the bill now set to go to the Senate.

November 29 , 2016

U.S.: Northwest pear crop faces stiff competition with apples

Washington and Oregon's pear crop is down slightly on the five-year average, but the season has been boosted by plentiful clean and large-sized fruit.

November 28 , 2016

Not golden but yellow: New apple brand launched at Interpoma

Japanese-bred Shinano Gold has shown promising results in northern Italy, where the new brand "Yello" has been developed with commercial planting now underway.

November 25 , 2016

Australia: APAL wins appeal against Pink Lady America

The Supreme Court of Victoria has determined Pink Lady America has "no right to use the Pink Lady trademarks registered in Chile".

November 25 , 2016

Driscoll's boosts proprietary blueberry plantings in Chile, Peru

Proprietary varieties are expected to represent around a fifth of the company's exports out of South America this season.

November 24 , 2016

NZ: Zespri to release additional SunGold licenses

An additional NZ$500 million in sale revenue is expected to be earned by releasing 400 hectares of SunGold licenses every year until 2020.

November 24 , 2016

Australia: VoH urges immediate solution on backpacker tax

The head of Voice of Horticulture says the issue is now 'beyond serious' and warns of fruit potentially being left on trees to rot.

November 23 , 2016

U.S.: Trump to withdraw from TPP "on day one" in office

It has been suggested that the U.S. pulling out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership could be of great benefit to China, which is trying to forge its own regional free trade agreement.

November 23 , 2016

Bagged salad can fuel Salmonella growth, U.K. study finds

Researchers have found that juices from damaged leaves in pre-prepared bagged salads increased growth of the deadly pathogen 2400-fold.

November 22 , 2016

NZ: Fruit fly larvae intercepted at Wellington airport

An Australian traveler has been fined for failing to declare a mandarin which had the potential to introduce Q-fly, a damaging pest, to New Zealand.

November 21 , 2016