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

Long-storing plum variety to make its debut in Chile

The RR1 plum, known for its long storage life and late harvesting, is being introduced in Chile. The variety has yellow pulp and can be harvested toward the end of the growing season.

November 18 , 2010

New Zealand's list of PSA infected kiwi orchards grows to 13

Kiwi vine disease impacted around 500 hectares as the government puts its focus on “aggressive containment” in order to combat a island wide break out.

November 16 , 2010

Chile Blueberry harvest still on track after rain

Heavy rains on November 7-8 stopped Chile’s blueberry harvest for one day but will only reduce the export crop slightly in the south of the country, according to the Chilean Blueberry Committee

November 12 , 2010

Chilean cherries, grapes, peaches and plums suffer light damage from heavy rains

Heavy rain in central Chile Nov. 7 caused slight damage to cherries, table grapes, apricots and plums, resulting in slightly lower export However projections are still better than 2009-10 season, according to analysis by fruit consultancy iQonsulting.

November 10 , 2010

New Zealand kiwi vine disease confirmed

New Zealand's Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry confirmed that a kiwi bacterial disease has been found in an orchard in the Bay of Plenty, according to local news reports

November 09 , 2010