How a mysterious ecoterrorism attack helped reshape California's medfly response

A $60 million unsuccessful attempt to eradicate the 1989 infestation, prompted the California Department of Food and Agriculture to adopt a more efficient and sustainable method—sterile insect technology.

September 16 , 2025

Rodents, ripeness, and red tape—The California almond season is not exempt of challenges

Uncertainty surrounds California’s almond harvest as growers contend with uneven crop timing, rodent infestations, and trade policy concerns.

September 15 , 2025

CRISPR gets juicy: DNA-free editing breakthrough could extend raspberry shelf-life

Researchers at Cranfield University in the UK published the first study showing successful CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing in red raspberries. The results could pave the way for faster variety development and fewer postharvest losses.

September 12 , 2025

Poland's fresh blueberries are ready to break into the Taiwanese market

Taiwanese outlets report local authorities completed phytosanitary inspections on site, officially authorizing Polish fresh blueberry imports into the Asian country.

September 10 , 2025

Hawai’i lime growers are closer than ever to ship Persian lime to the US

Local producer Mahi Pono is advocating for less strict phytosanitary regulations for Hawai'i limes and lemons to facilitate entry of the produce into the mainland.

September 10 , 2025

University of Florida study enlists local residents to fight the spread of citrus greening disease

The grand majority of participants reported having increased knowledge about citrus greening disease while 89 percent agreed to remove infected trees.

September 09 , 2025

Costa Rica's banana exports plunge 20 percent due to extreme weather

More than 1,500 millimeters of rain in three months at the end of 2024 resulted in soil saturation that persisted into the first months of 2025.

September 08 , 2025

Zimbabwean blueberries are now authorized to hit the Chinese market

The announcement was made after the two countries signed a new protocol agreement in Beijing, following a series of negotiations that began in April 2024.

September 05 , 2025

Science is one step closer to prickle-free blackberries

The genetic marker technology developed is affordable, publicly available, and no regulatory hurdles should arise for companies of any size interested in implementing it.