https://www.freshplaza.com/asia/ FreshPlaza, portal for the fresh produce industry, offering the latest news, job advertisements, pricewatching, and photo reports https://www.freshplaza.com/asia/article/9626007/mcdonald-s-sweet-potato-ice-cream-delights/ McDonald's has reintroduced its sweet potato-flavored ice cream in Singapore, initially launched in Hong Kong in 2016. This unique dessert, part of a limited-time offering, features the chain's classic soft-serve infused with the rich flavor of purple sweet potatoes, known for their vivid violet color… Thu, 23 May 2024 13:51:00 +0200 https://www.freshplaza.com/asia/article/9628276/slight-increase-in-melon-and-watermelon-acreage-in-murcia-with-good-yields-expected/ There are good prospects for the 2024 melon and watermelon campaign in the Spanish Region of Murcia. "The crops are developing wonderfully, with exceptional quality and a very good health. We expect a normal development, without any surprises, which should allow us to recover the usual volumes, unlike in… Thu, 23 May 2024 13:51:00 +0200 https://www.freshplaza.com/asia/article/9628332/significant-inflation-hits-vegetable-prices-in-nepal/ In mid-April, Nepal witnessed a 16.99 percent increase in vegetable inflation compared to the previous year, a situation attributed to several factors including alterations in India's vegetable export policies, the imposition of new taxes by the Nepalese government, inadequate rainfall impacting… Thu, 23 May 2024 13:51:00 +0200 https://www.freshplaza.com/asia/article/9628334/filipino-onion-supply-deemed-sufficient-by-farmers-association/ A farmers' association in the Philippines has announced that the current local onion production is adequate to fulfill national demand, negating the necessity for imports. Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) president, Rosendo So, highlighted that the harvest of white onions is projected to meet… Thu, 23 May 2024 13:51:00 +0200 https://www.freshplaza.com/asia/article/9628337/karnataka-farmer-earns-good-money-from-miyazaki-mangoes/ In Udupi, Karnataka, a local farmer has embarked on cultivating Miyazaki mangoes, a rare Japanese variety, on his rooftop terrace in Shankarpur. These mangoes, known for their unique taste and medicinal properties, are sold at a premium price, approximately Rs 300,000 per kilogram, translating to Rs… Thu, 23 May 2024 13:51:00 +0200 https://www.freshplaza.com/asia/article/9628342/uf-scientists-finding-new-way-to-keep-broccoli-fresher-longer/ When consumers go to the grocery store, they want their produce, including broccoli, to look, feel and taste fresh. This desire compels University of Florida scientist Tie Liu to study ways to keep vegetables fresh. In newly published research, Liu and his colleagues studied the physiological and… Thu, 23 May 2024 13:51:00 +0200 https://www.freshplaza.com/asia/article/9628357/strategic-partnership-to-transform-agriculture-and-fresh-produce-supply-chains-announced/ ThroughPut Inc., the industrial AI supply chain Decision Intelligence company, and Inteligistics, a prominent digital visibility solutions provider for perishable supply chains, have announced a strategic technology alliance to accelerate profitability for the sales of perishable goods. This area is… Thu, 23 May 2024 13:51:00 +0200 https://www.freshplaza.com/asia/article/9628400/for-the-first-time-in-a-long-while-we-re-back-to-a-normal-citrus-crop/ In the Eastern Cape's Gamtoos Valley all's well when the Kouga Dam is well: the past seven years of drought had forced farmers into difficult decisions. "We've come to accept that at least three years out of every decade we'll not have enough water," says Fredri Kok, CEO of Patensie Citrus, celebrating… Thu, 23 May 2024 13:51:00 +0200 https://www.freshplaza.com/asia/article/9628520/india-s-onion-exports-surge-post-ban/ Following the early month cessation of the export prohibition, India has dispatched over 45,000 tons of onions, primarily to the Middle East and Bangladesh. This move comes after the imposition of export restrictions aimed at stabilizing domestic availability in anticipation of the general elections. The… Thu, 23 May 2024 13:51:00 +0200 https://www.freshplaza.com/asia/article/9628523/georgia-agricultural-innovation-center-to-bring-farmers-from-fresh-to-value-added-markets/ Georgia has a rich agricultural history in fresh produce owing to factors including a favorable climate and long growing season. During times when fresh produce cannot be actively grown and harvested, growers would benefit from diversifying their income streams through value-added markets. In rural areas… Thu, 23 May 2024 13:51:00 +0200 https://www.freshplaza.com/asia/article/9628570/we-were-able-to-plant-each-week-giving-us-a-consistent-supply-so-maybe-there-is-no-harm-in-going-a-little-later/ McCormack Family Farms' 40th growing season didn't start with the best conditions after months of rain planting had to be delayed again and again, but as often happens in farming the weather turned and the crop were planted. "The last 4-5 weeks have been pretty good," said Stephen McCormack, Managing… Thu, 23 May 2024 13:51:00 +0200 https://www.freshplaza.com/asia/article/9628590/the-first-flemish-cherries-again-received-a-warm-welcome/ This year too, the first Flemish cherries are once again available at Demedts - De Mey nursery. While the first cherries last year came from the greenhouses of Benoit Demedts and his wife Marie-Anne De Mey, this year they are even earlier. "We were able to pick the first of the season on May 10, allowing… Thu, 23 May 2024 13:51:00 +0200 https://www.freshplaza.com/asia/article/9628595/no-opacity-but-establishing-honest-chains/ After spending over a decade in the hospitality industry, Jorn Poelman entered the fresh produce trade five years ago through his father Wolter. After working for several years as an employee, the Poelmans decided to start their own business on January 1: Veggiehouse. "I saw so much opacity in the fresh… Thu, 23 May 2024 13:51:00 +0200 https://www.freshplaza.com/asia/article/9628671/peruvian-limes-have-25-more-juice-than-mexican-limes/ After 10 years of experience, the agro-exporting company Sol de Olmos has become Peru's leading garlic exporter, the third-largest in dried chilies and the fourth in limes, and it continues to aim high. Its next goal is to become the second or third largest exporter of limes this year 2024. "We started… Thu, 23 May 2024 13:51:00 +0200 https://www.freshplaza.com/asia/article/9628691/the-netherlands-led-the-demand-for-peruvian-bananas-in-april/ In April 2024, Peruvian exported 14,707 tons of bananas for $11.4 million, recording a 12.3% and 12.2% increase in volume and value. The Netherlands led demand with a 37.8% share, importing 5,526 tons for $4.3 million, paying US$0.78 per kilogram. The United States was the second largest importer of… Thu, 23 May 2024 13:51:00 +0200 https://www.freshplaza.com/asia/article/9628725/new-varietals-and-growing-practices-are-helping-boost-raspberry-consumption/ Raspberry supply is seeing a steady volume at the moment coming in from Mexico. "The Watsonville, California season is just beginning, and the volume is anticipated to increase in the coming weeks. Barring any major weather events, we are forecasting for peak volumes to span July- August," says Brad… Thu, 23 May 2024 13:51:00 +0200 https://www.freshplaza.com/asia/article/9628726/apeel-s-second-pillar-designed-to-enhance-retail-profitability/ Building on the momentum of its new initiative, "The Apeel Leverage," Apeel Sciences has launched the second pillar: "Helping You Sell More." Apeel's technologies are designed to enhance retail profitability and consumer satisfaction through its plant-based coating that extends the shelf life of produce… Thu, 23 May 2024 13:51:00 +0200 https://www.freshplaza.com/asia/article/9628727/exporters-are-eager-to-upskill-gather-necessary-documentation-and-actively-pursue-recoveries/ "I founded Recoupex to empower small to medium-sized exporters worldwide to effectively recover transit losses from for the damage liable carriers," says Recoupex founder Lina Jasutiene, a former defense lawyer for MSC. There, she witnessed firsthand the staggering number of unrecovered cargo claims and… Thu, 23 May 2024 13:51:00 +0200 https://www.freshplaza.com/asia/article/9628746/strawberry-season-begins-in-kashmir-but-is-not-without-challenges/ In the Kashmir Valley, particularly in Gasso, known as the strawberry village, families are engaged in harvesting the season's first strawberries. This activity marks the commencement of the strawberry season in the region. However, the production has been adversely affected by climate change and erratic… Thu, 23 May 2024 13:51:00 +0200 https://www.freshplaza.com/asia/article/9628748/pakistan-s-mango-production-anticipated-to-decrease-for-third-consecutive-year-due-to-climate-change/ Due to the repercussions of climate change, Pakistan's mango production is anticipated to decrease for the third consecutive year, impacting the country's export goals for 2024. The All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Importers, Merchants Association has announced an export target of 100,000 tons… Thu, 23 May 2024 13:52:00 +0200 https://www.freshplaza.com/asia/article/9628749/kazakhstan-project-saw-7-400-banana-tree-seedlings-planted-last-year/ In Kazakhstan, a project has been initiated involving the cultivation of bananas over an area of 5.3 hectares, with 7,400 banana tree seedlings planted last year. This endeavor is expected to contribute up to 1000 tons of bananas annually to the local market. Data from the Bureau of the National… Thu, 23 May 2024 13:51:00 +0200 https://www.freshplaza.com/asia/article/9628751/can-rail-freight-help-fast-track-india-s-logistics-growth/ Rail freight in India plays a pivotal role in the nation's transportation infrastructure, moving 27% of all goods in the country across its 68,000-km network. With one of the largest railway networks in the world, India's freight trains traverse diverse terrains, connecting industrial hubs, agricultural… Thu, 23 May 2024 13:51:00 +0200 https://www.freshplaza.com/asia/article/9628755/revenues-for-the-first-quarter-were-1-56-billion-a-year-on-year-increase-of-14/ ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd., a global container liner shipping company, has announced its consolidated results for the three months ended March 31, 2024. First Quarter 2024 highlights Net income for the first quarter was $92 million (compared to a net loss of $58 million in the first quarter of… Thu, 23 May 2024 13:51:00 +0200 https://www.freshplaza.com/asia/article/9628756/red-sea-situation-gives-carriers-a-bottom-line-boost/ Container shipping has experienced a significant turnaround in financial performance, with a shift from a US$700 million net loss in the last quarter of 2023 to a net income of US$5.4 billion in the initial months of the current year. This recovery is attributed to the diversions around the Red Sea,… Thu, 23 May 2024 13:52:00 +0200 https://www.freshplaza.com/asia/article/9628758/last-year-s-potatoes-in-ukraine-now-triple-the-price-compared-to-previous-year/ According to EastFruit's analysts, citing market participants, last year's potatoes in the Ukrainian market have experienced a notable price surge over the weekend. As of today, farmers are selling potatoes from the 2023 harvest at prices ranging from 15 to 22 UAH per kilogram (approximately $0.38 to… Thu, 23 May 2024 13:51:00 +0200 https://www.freshplaza.com/asia/article/9628763/mccain-foods-launches-a-unique-regenerative-agriculture-program-in-poland/ "McCain is proud to join forces with BNP Paribas Bank Polska to launch today a new and exciting regenerative agriculture program in Poland, built on a transition package to support potato growers on their sustainability journey. McCain is supporting Polish potato farmers in their transition to more… Thu, 23 May 2024 13:51:00 +0200 https://www.freshplaza.com/asia/article/9628765/top-10-banana-producing-countries-in-the-world-in-2024/ Bananas are a staple fruit worldwide. Their production is vital in numerous tropical and subtropical regions, significantly impacting local economies and providing employment opportunities. The global banana production is approximately 86 million tons annually, with India leading as the top producer with… Thu, 23 May 2024 13:51:00 +0200 https://www.freshplaza.com/asia/article/9628766/brazilian-nut-market-is-showing-promising-growth/ The nut market in Brazil is showing promising growth, particularly driven by increasing consumer focus on health and lifestyle. The demand for nutritious nuts like walnuts, pistachios, and almonds, which are not produced domestically, is rising. Therefore, this report provides an analysis of the tree… Thu, 23 May 2024 13:51:00 +0200 https://www.freshplaza.com/asia/article/9628865/cabbage-and-onions-from-uzbekistan-successful-export-in-first-four-months/ Cabbage and onions have become the leaders in Uzbekistan's fruit and vegetable exports for the first four months of the year, reports the Statistics Agency. From January to April 148,000 tons of cabbage were shipped to foreign consumers, amounting to $37.1 million, which is 2.9 times more compared to the… Thu, 23 May 2024 13:51:00 +0200 https://www.freshplaza.com/asia/article/9628876/red-sea-crisis-benefits-egyptian-table-grape-exporters/ The table grape harvest is underway in Egypt and the season looks set to be a good one, both in terms of production and marketing, according to Salem Ghonim, consultant to several Egyptian grape growers. Ghonim: "We are at peak harvest for some early white varieties, such as Prime, Early Sweet, and… Thu, 23 May 2024 13:51:00 +0200 https://www.freshplaza.com/asia/article/9628886/new-service-for-customers-who-want-to-put-fresh-produce-on-the-table-last-minute/ Holland: Ahold Delhaize launches its Growing Together strategy building on its core strengthsAhold Delhaize announced the launch of its Growing Together strategy at its 2024 Strategy Day, outlining key plans and ambitions towards 2028. This growth and investment plan underpins Ahold Delhaize's vision to… Thu, 23 May 2024 13:52:00 +0200 https://www.freshplaza.com/asia/article/9628887/there-was-an-increase-in-demand-for-kiwi-after-march/ There's been an increase in demand for Portuguese kiwis after March, says Nelio Marques, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Portuguese fresh produce exporter Kiwicoop: "Throughout our 35 years of existence, we've specialized in Kiwi conservation. With this acquired knowledge, it was possible to manage… Thu, 23 May 2024 13:51:00 +0200 https://www.freshplaza.com/asia/article/9628893/spring-frost-strikes-serbian-blueberry-plantations/ Spring frost has again struck the Serbian berry industry, leading to significant damages of up to 40% in many plantations. According to Sladjana Vuković, CEO of the Serbian exporting company Srbovoće: "We had frost in April. Some fields lost everything, some a little bit, while some were not affected at… Thu, 23 May 2024 13:51:00 +0200 https://www.freshplaza.com/asia/article/9628896/it-s-not-as-much-as-we-had-hoped-for-but-we-do-have-a-cherry-crop/ British Columbia (B.C.) cherry growers as well as many Northern Washington growers were impacted by a January 2024 freeze event. "We were experiencing a very mild winter until mid-January, and the fruit buds had started to wake up as a result," says Julie McLachlan with Jealous Fruits. When the… Thu, 23 May 2024 13:51:00 +0200 https://www.freshplaza.com/asia/article/9628906/kazakhstan-minister-visits-greenhouse-growers/ Deputy Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin recently visited the Saryagash district in the Turkestan region, which hosts over 70% of Kazakhstan's greenhouse areas, to discuss critical issues with local greenhouse owners and workers. Earlier this month, strawberry producers raised concerns about the influx of… Thu, 23 May 2024 13:51:00 +0200 https://www.freshplaza.com/asia/article/9628918/around-50-of-clementine-production-in-uruguay-affected-by-heavy-rain/ The Clementine harvest and eventual exports in Uruguay have been affected by the heavy rain that has caused major flooding in neighbouring Brazil and Argentina in recent weeks. The incessant rain led to the Uruguay River flooding its banks, displacing several thousand people. According to Marta Bentancur,… Thu, 23 May 2024 13:51:00 +0200 https://www.freshplaza.com/asia/article/9628923/more-moroccan-growers-report-weakening-of-tobrfv/ The Moroccan tomato campaign is drawing to a close, except for the late varieties exported in the summer. Mustapha Aouragh, a tomato grower based in Agadir, gives a mixed assessment. "The season will end in July, a month later than usual. This is due to the late start to the season, and the varieties grown… Thu, 23 May 2024 13:51:00 +0200 https://www.freshplaza.com/asia/article/9628926/greenyard-shows-record-high-results-crossing-eur5bn-sales/ Greenyard shows record-high results, crossing the €5bn sales and Adjusted EBITDA increasing 11,5% to € 186,5m. Francis Kint, Greenyard CEO said: "We are very proud to realise these results in a challenging environment, characterised by a second year of inflation. Greenyard improved both in volume and… Thu, 23 May 2024 13:51:00 +0200 https://www.freshplaza.com/asia/article/9628929/kiwifruit-growers-orchards-saved-after-spray-ruled-safe-for-use/ The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) announced a decision that hydrogen cyanamide, an active ingredient in sprays such as Hi-Cane, may continue to be used in New Zealand. Hydrogen cyanamide had initially been under review by the EPA as a carcinogen, however the authority reversed this when they… Thu, 23 May 2024 13:51:00 +0200 https://www.freshplaza.com/asia/article/9628939/sanlucar-official-freshness-partner-of-the-two-top-tennis-tournaments-in-germany-for-2024/ SanLucar has been a service partner of VfB Stuttgart since the current Bundesliga season. The fresh produce brand is now expanding its collaboration in professional sport with partnerships as a Freshness Partner of the Berlin Ladies Open and Boss Open in Stuttgart, which will take place in June. During the… Thu, 23 May 2024 13:51:00 +0200