Citrus exports from South Africa could tumble by double digits in 2023

Southern African citrus exports could fall by around 14% year-on-year this season, dropping from 164.8 million cartons to 142.5 million. That was the initial prediction given by Justin Chadwick, CEO of the Citrus Exporters Association of Southern Africa (CGA), though he noted that with some mandarin varieties estimates are still outstanding, will be available by […]
South Africa putting up fight against immature avocado sales

Avocado consumption in South Africa has been on the rise in recent years, just like in many other places around the world. This skyrocketing demand has a variety of negative side effects, like high prices or bad farming practices, but now there seems to be another one to keep an eye on: immature avocados. Immature […]
South Africa table grape industry looks for improvements over 2020-21

Weeks ahead of the season’s first South African grape exports, South Africa’s table grape industry (SATI) released a strong statement on Sept. 22. Growers are expecting a much better season than the previous one. Last season was one of the toughest since the post-deregulation era two decades ago. Increases in production cost input, freight costs […]
European vegetable farms struggling with energy crisis

Vegetable producers in northern and western Europe are contemplating halting their activities because of the financial hit from the region’s energy crisis, Reuters reports. The publication recounts that surging power and gas prices will impact crops grown through the winter in heated greenhouses and those which need to be placed in cold storage. Tomatoes, peppers […]
Perfection Fresh Australia CEO gives producers’ perspective on global grape industry

When Michael Simonetta rejoined the family business in 1984, he thought he’d spend the rest of his career selling lettuce, cauliflower, and broccoli in Sydney, Australia’s wholesale markets. Today, he travels the world as CEO of Perfection Fresh Australia in search of the next best-tasting fresh produce – including grapes. The company Simonetta’s father founded […]
To beat heat, Lidl working with British suppliers to prevent produce waste

Discount retailer Lidl has reached out to fresh produce suppliers across the UK to ensure that their fresh fruits and vegetables baked by intense dry spells will not go to waste. Lidl officials say they will be helping “identify key crop challenges, and where possible work to accommodate these products within its existing lines.” In […]
G’s Growers and Plumford Farm will test pollination, yield efforts through M&S collaboration with AgriSound

Retailer M&S has entered into a three-year partnership with York-based start-up AgriSound to assist some of its select farmers in improving their management of pollinators while boosting yield. G’s Growers in Cambridgeshire and Plumford Farm in Kent will participate in the programme by installing listening sensors that will be able to track bumblebees, honeybees and […]
Veg Power teams up on cherry tomato Grow Strong Project with Edinburgh Community Food

The health-driven non-profit Veg Power added another strong partner to its growing stable of helpers, combining forces with social enterprise Edinburgh Community Food to help deliver its Grow Strong project. Grow Strong is an initiative whereby 38 schools are taking part in the production of cherry tomatoes that are converted to create pasta sauce. Former […]