Russia: Warm weather gives positive trend to citrus

Week 39 appeared to be quiet in respect of imported production but not for domestic produce. The weather remained to stay warm and sunny, even in Saint-Petersburg. Total arrivals were about 5200 pallets, all from Argentina. It gave a positive trend to citrus market. The looser of week 39 – Italian grapes which sales eventually stopped all over the Russia. Some new products have entered the market – kaki and quince from Uzbekistan as well as the first lemons from Turkey.
OrangesDue to the break in arrivals from South Africa the situation became definitely better – prices have gone further up. In week 39 cat. I stepped over 1,00 $/kg level, cat. II – 0,93 $/kg. Argentine fruits were not in demand. LemonsThe demand for lemons became stronger. As a result prices went up to 1,13 $/kg in Saint-Petersburg. The first Turkish lemons appeared in Moscow. They have been offered on 1,14 $/kg level, on the same level as Argentine fruits there. In the meantime prices in Novorossijsk were on 1,28 $/kg level which shows the contradiction between high expectations from Turkish side and the realities of the Russian market.MandarinsThe further price growth (to 1,84 $/kg level) took place for little sizes only (80 and smaller). The importers faced troubles in the meantime with sales of large sizes at any price. First Okitsu from Turkey are expected next week but the sizes seem to be large.

Grapefruits/PomelosFirst pomelos from Israel have lost almost 0,50 $/kg in 1 week – from 2,20 $/kg to 1,70 $/kg. Since next week the arrivals of Israeli production are expected to enlarge both by volume and by assortment. Chinese pomelos are expected soon as well.The variety Star Ruby hold the leadership in grapefruit sales during week 39. Prices were stable with even decrease due to quality for Argentine fruits - 1,85 $/kg level for South Africa and 1,45 $/kg level for Argentina. The little sizes were sold cheaper – 1,60 $/kg and 1,12 $/kg accordingly. Ruby Red variety was sold about 1 $/box cheaper, white grapefruits – no sales at all.ApplesToo much apples offered – that was a peculiarity of week 39. Moldova and Serbia enlarged the assortment with Ida Red (1,00 $/kg), Granny (1,04 $/kg) and Gloster (0,92 $/kg) varieties, local apples were picked up from trees all over the country. As a result European apples had no market at all similar to week 38. The retailer were ready for any kind of tricks chasing the prices – shelves were still full with Chinese Fuji and Belgian Jonagold as well as Argentine Red Delicious from last crop.PearsThe demand was definitely there as well as the offers. Conference variety was the leader in sales, however the other ones found their place as well. Rocha from Portugal have started on 1,20 $/kg for size 55+, 1,40 $/kg for size 65+. Conference was logically more expensive – from 1,33 $/kg for size 55+ to 1,53 $/kg for size 75+. In general the situation remained stable and looks like that for coming weeks as well unless the importer’s activity wouldn’t exceed the current level.GrapesThe worst sales in week 39 were observed for Italian grapes. More exactly – absence of sales all over the Russia. The market was full of grapes from all the producing neighbor countries like Moldova, Uzbekistan and Turkey which took it completely over. Turkish Sultana was effected as well, the price went down to almost Uzbekistani 1,80 $/kg level but with that certain position could be kept. However there is a trend of further price decrease to 1,60 $/kg for Sultana.KiwisThe situation remained stable, normal balance between offer and demand. Prices were in range 2,00 – 2,16 $/kg.PomegranatesThe newcomer on the market – pomegranates. At this moment there are two origins competing – Uzbekistan (2 $/kg) and Egypt (1,84 $/kg). The first came earlier and has nowadays slightly better coloration and larger sizes.Summer fruitsThe situation didn’t change since last week. Only melons couldn’t keep the level of 1,32 $/kg due to quality in the end of the season and went down to 1,00 $/kg. VegetablesOnions stayed on 0,40 $/kg by rumor that there is a little crop in Russia. Finally it remained to be a rumor but the price was kept on this high level. Potato was the same as in week 38. Local capsicums were traded on about 0,52 $/kg, aubergines – 0,60 $/kg.
Pavel Bandurovsky195269, Russia, St. Petersburg, 54, Svetlanovsky pr., letter "B" Tel.: + 7 (812) 324-2514, + 7 (812) 324-2515 Fax: + 7 (812) 324-2510 Email Website
Publication date: 9/28/2007

Poland: prices of apple and pears got even with

Warsaw - It seems like apple and pears can become a luxury fruit in Poland this year. They are very expensive as for Poland already, because of poor harvest. For one kilogram one have to pay 0,80-1,05 €/kg depending on the variety. At the same time of last year prices were at the level of 0,50-0,66 €/kg. Pears are even more expensive – 1,05-1,32 €/kg on average, comparing with 0,50 €/kg last year.The growers worst forecasts became truth – because of spring frosts in May crops will be by half smaller than in 2006. “ I lost 90% of fruit. I was able to harvest only 2 or 3 apples from each tree. The average crop of pears from my orchard was usually about 6 MT, this year I harvested 6 boxes only” – says Marek Grochowalski, fruit grower from Glowno. “I should already put Lobo apples in cold storage at this time, but it looks like I will not use it at all because there is nothing to store. All the apples picked from the orchard I sell on the market immediately. Before first frost everything will be sold.” – he continues. Lack of domestic apples can become a problem in Poland during winter and spring. Additionally the apple harvest in Eastern Europe countries which are traditional importers of Polish fruit wasn’t good as well. It looks like Poles will eat more oranges and bananas this winter rather than domestic fruit, because prices of those fruit probably will be comparable. At the moment bananas are sold at 1,19-1,32 €/kg and oranges at 1,32 €/kg.The average prices of apples and pears at Warsaw Wholesale Market Bronisze on September 24th 2007

http://www.freshplaza.com/news_detail.asp?id=8250
Publication date:
9/25/2007Author: FreshPlaza Correspondent PolandCopyright: www.freshplaza.com

USA depends on fruit&vegetable imports more..

USDA informs, due to the increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables in the USA, its imports are increasing by high rates; imports have already exceeded exports twice as much. In 1990-92 the average annual volumes of fruit&vegetable imports totaled to $2.7 billion; in 2004-06 the imports increased up to $7.9 billion. The average annual vegetable imports reached $1.8 billion in 2004-06, fruits imports were worth to $2.5 billion.Mexico and Canada are the largest suppliers of vegetables to the USA; almost 83% of the total imports are allocated to these countries. The main imported products are tomatoes, cucumbers and bell pepper. The volumes of imported bananas are the largest; Colombia, Ecuador, Costa-Rika, Honduras and Guatemala supply these products.So the dependence of the USA on the imports of fresh fruits and vegetables increases year by year. The influence of this factor to fruit&vegetable business of Russia and Ukraine, the created opportunities will be covered in the presentations focused on the global fruit&vegetable market during the CIS largest fruit&vegetable conferences: "Fruits&Vegetable Business of Russia 2007. Wealth of New Opportunities" and "Fruits and Vegetables of Ukraine 2007. Meeting New Leader".
Source: lol.org.ua
Publication date: 9/25/2007

Polish wholesalers started purchasing apples to..

Polish wholesalers started purchasing apples to export them to Ukraine and RussiaCIS produce business periodical, "Agrooglyad: Vegetables and Fruits" weekly, informs that the season of dessert apple purchase has started in Poland; these apples will be further exported to Ukraine and Russia, and also to EU countries. However, the wholesalers do not have the common opinion, which volumes of apples they manage to export and if there are export opportunities at all.At the present moment the wholesalers set the purchase prices worth to $0.64-0.76/kg for dessert apples of more than 70 mm in diameter in Poland. To compare: at the same period of time past year the purchase prices were $0.26-0.34/kg.To the opinion of the analysts of "Agrooglyad: Vegetables and Fruits", a part of apples purchased by the wholesalers for exports to Ukraine and Russia will be sold on the inner market in future: the further price growth for quality products is expected there. Now purchased quality Polish apple will be sold not cheaper than $1.4-1.6 on wholesale markets of Ukraine and Russia. The retail prices for quality Polish apples may reach $1.8-2.4/kg in December in Ukraine and Russia. The prices for apple may further grow in January-May on the markets of these countries.You may find out the detailed perspectives of Russian and Ukrainian apple markets, and also other types of fruits and vegetables during the CIS largest fruit&vegetable conferences: "Fruits&Vegetable Business of Russia 2007. Wealth of New Opportunities" and "Fruits and Vegetables of Ukraine 2007. Meeting New Leader". There are less than three weeks till the registration for participation in Russian conference is over!
Source: lol.org.ua
Publication date: 9/25/2007

Poland: thieves in apple orchards due to high prices

Warsaw - Because of high – for Poland – prices of apples used for processing, Polish growers have recently many problems with thieves in orchards. They can steal between 100 kg up to 5 thousand MT per night from one orchard in Mazovia region. The police from Grojec (the major town in the largest apple growing region in Poland) arrests several thieves every day. According to the Press Office of The Polish Police Headquarters in Radom, “expensive apples are the main reason of thefts. But because of good cooperation with growers we are able to effectively fight crime. Only during few days of last week police stopped 4 men trying to steal apples or sell stolen fruit.” In the village of Stara Wies the police arrested two men of age 30 and 51. Both gathered 450 kg of apples (worth approximately € 132) ready to be moved out of the orchard. In the village of Wola Worowska, the orchard owner stopped a 21-year old man who already picked apples worth € 318 and tried to sell them. In another case the owner of processing apple buying office informed the police about the suspicious transaction. The arrested man testified that he stole more than 100 kg of fruit only few hours before. This year the processing apples prices in Poland are approximately 4-fold higher than in 2006 and the average price per kilogram was € 0,25-0,29 during last few days.
Publication date: 9/25/2007
Author: FreshPlaza Correspondent Poland
Copyright: www.freshplaza.com

Russia: Imported apples too expensive to compete

Week 38 had nothing special regarding market activity though the prices have gone up for most of the products due to coming to an end picking time for local produce. Summer shows up in Russia again with nice range of temperature +15 +20 C in a day, sun and even better colored trees where leaves are turning from green to yellowish and red. Only Saint-Petersburg had it’s usual rainy weather. The first Chinese products reached the European part of Russia through Saint-Petersburg. Arrivals were not too large – 6500 pallets from the Southern Hemisphere. The loser of week 38: imported apples which appeared to be too expensive in comparison with local production which found it’s right price level.OrangesIt finally happened – prices have started to climb up. At first, it was cat. I of South African fruits – 0,96 $/kg. Cat. II from South Africa and Argentine oranges stayed still on last week’s level. Saint-Petersburg was the first to react unlikely Moscow where the prices didn’t change too much as well as in regions.LemonsThe situation with lemons has splited by quality as eventually quite some stuff from last vessels arrived with problems. The sound products were sold on 1,00 $/kg level, problematic ones – lower, to 0,88 $/kg. Turkish lemons are expected in the south since next week on.MandarinsPrices went up again as South African fruits couldn’t be found and totally it was a shortage. The level of week 38 was from 1,52 $/kg on.GrapefruitsThe sales of Star Ruby variety again were more active than Ruby Red. In general not much grapefruits were offered by importers so prices went up as well : 1,85 $/kg for large sizes (28-35) from South Africa, 1,60 $/kg for the same sizes from Argentina.ApplesThe local fruits conquered the market in week 38. With the prices for nice selected apples by modern packing lines (news of this season) on the level of 0,60 $/kg they became the bestseller of week 38. Not calibrated stuff with sizes in range 65/90 was offered on 0,44 $/kg. Moldavian apples started from 0,96 $/kg up, Serbian – from 1,20 $/kg, European – from 1,60 $/kg.PearsThe situation was normal with much better demand for Conference than for any other variety. It seems that last Triumph pears were turning ripened. Their price level in week 38 – 1,23 $/kg whereas Conference was 0,10 $/kg more expensive in size 55/65. The price for large sizes stepped over 1,50 $/kg level.GrapesMoldavian blue grapes went up to 0,90 $/kg, Turkish Sultana jumped to 1,92 $/kg. Uzbekistani stuff was in between of them. The demand for those grapes was active enough what can’t be said about all Italian varieties – with the prices on 2,20 $/kg level they were the last to move.KiwisFirst Italian kiwis entered the market and were met with pleasure after long period of shortage. In week 38 the price level was between 2,10 – 2,25 $/kg depending upon sizes.Summer fruitsIt was the last splash in summer fruits trade stipulated by the warm weather. In week 38 peaches were more expensive than nectarines – 2,60 $/kg against 2,20 $/kg accordingly with the reasonable demand. Plums were sold on levels from 1,36 $/kg up for Serbian small size stuff, variety Stanley till 1,80 $/kg for round shaped, large size fruits of variety President. There was some French stuff on the market on 2,08 $/kg level. Even the watermelons went up to 0,30 $/kg, the situation with melons has been corrected as well – 1,28 $/kg.VegetablesAs the picking season is almost over the last vegetables were offered on higher prices than before except potatoes which went down to 0,22 $/kg. White cabbage kept it’s level whereas onions jumped to 0,42 $/kg. Local tomatoes and cucumbers were sold on the same price level – 1,60 $/kg which immediately opened the door for imported stuff.
Pavel Bandurovsky195269, Russia, St. Petersburg, 54, Svetlanovsky pr., letter "B" Tel.: + 7 (812) 324-2514, + 7 (812) 324-2515 Fax: + 7 (812) 324-2510 Email Website
Publication date: 9/25/2007

Harvest of new apple variety Kanzi started

Tholen - This morning, the harvest of the new apple variety Kanzi started in The Netherlands. The Dutch actress Yolanthe Cabau van Kasbergen picked the first apple. The name Kanzi is derived from the South African word for ‘hidden treasure' and will be brought to the European market by Greenstar Kanzi Europe (GKE), a venture of among others the Dutch company Koninklijke Fruitmasters and the Belgian company Veiling Haspengouw. Kanzi is a cross between the varieties Braeburn and Gala. "After many years of breeding, a new variety has been born. Kanzi offers the best properties of Braeburn and Gala. This goes beyond appearance and taste. To be a successful apple, taste and quality have to be the same year round. Kanzi is a shiny red apple with a lovely taste and I'm sure that it can become one of the most important apple varieties in Europe in the future," said CEO Urs Luder of GKE.

Greenstar Kanzi Europe (GKE)Tongersesteenweg 152B-3800
Sint-TruidenBelgiumPhone: +32 (0) 11 67 06 11Fax: +32 (0) 11 67 27 76
www.gkefruit.comwww.kanziapple.com
Publication date: 9/25/2007
Author: Lody van Berkel
Copyright: www.freshplaza.com

Okitsu ve Marisol Mandalina Kesim ve İhraç Tarihleri

Turunçgil Meyveleri Kesim.Toplama ve İhraç Tarihini Belirleme Komisyonu’nun
21.09.2007 tarihinde muhtelif bölge ve bahçelerde yaptığı inceleme ve usare tespiti
sonucunda; Mandarin türünün Okitsu ve Marisol çeşitlerinin yeterli olgunluğa erişmesi
nedeniyle;
- 24.09.2007 tarihinden itibaren kesimine,
- 27.09.2007 tarihinden itibaren ihracına müsade edilmiştir.

Increase of fresh produce imports to the US

Barranquilla – In a report by the USDA, there is an evaluation of the increasing imports of fruits and vegetables to this country, particularly important since the 1990s. The major suppliers are located within the NAFTA countries in the first place, counter-season countries of the Southern hemisphere in the second place and equatorial countries providers of bananas in the third place. The most important increase on imports is mirrored in the increasing and diversification of consumption by the US population.Between 1990-92 and 2004-06, US annual imports of fresh produce increase from 2.7 billion dollars to 7.9 billion dollars (nominal values). Exports also increased but less than proportional, therefore US is converting in a net importer of fresh produce.
http://www.freshplaza.com/news_detail.asp?id=7620
Sophia Huang and Kuo Huang, the authors of the report, are agricultural economists at the USDA.
Publication date: 9/17/2007
Author: Jahir Lombana
Copyright: www.freshplaza.com

Kashmir apple traders seek industry status

Orchards in Kashmir Valley ~ once known as the fruit bowl of India ~ are full of fragrant apples but growers fear another disastrous year of business in the wake of what many say is government apathy. Farmers across the valley, currently busy harvesting the fruit to be shipped to markets outside the state, accuse the government of not doing enough to safeguard the declining horticulture sector."Kashmir fruit business, despite being one of the prime revenue earners, has never got the desired attention from the government," Mr Abdur Rasheed, a fruit grower in Shopian, about 50 km from Srinagar, complained. Like Rasheed, most of the farmers complain of the government's failure to accord to the fruit business an industry status."By granting the status of an industry to the fruit business, we could be entitled to financial and other subsidy benefits," Mr Rasheed said. Over three million people are directly or indirectly associated with this trade that is currently estimated at Rs. 20 billion, said Mr Mubeen Shah, president of the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), who wanted the government to take extra measures to save the industry from further deterioration. According to the state's horticulture department, around 1.5 million tons of apples are produced in Kashmir annually.However, the valley's fruit business, facing stiff competition from Shimla apples and other imported fruits, is declining in infrastructure as well as in investment. Orchards are being converted into residential plots, as farmers here say the trade, which once earned fortunes for them, is not yielding enough."After suffering continuous crop failures for the past many years, I had no option but to sell a portion of my orchard to a city-based businessman who has started construction on it," said Mr Majeed Mir of Shalimar, who once had about 10 acres of orchards in the Telbal area, 26 km northeast of Srinagar. According to estimates, over 500,000 tons of apple are ruined every year in the valley. There are many reasons for this. Diseases like scab infection, alternaria, red-might and powdery mildew are spoiling the crop and growers are unable to do much to stem the rot.Farmers allege that spurious fungicides, pesticides and fertiliser are being supplied to them at exorbitant rates. Even if the production is up to the mark, there are no cold storage facilities to preserve the fruit in case of shipping delays, says Mr Manzoor Ahmed, a research scholar at an agricultural university here.On an average a truck takes 36 hours to reach New Delhi on a clear road and much longer if it is headed to other Indian markets. Added to it is the absence of proper marketing strategies. No proper grading according to size and quality and absence of attractive and scientific packaging have damaged the valley's fruit trade, Mr Ahmed opines.However, the government says adequate steps are being taken to save the worsening fruit industry. "We have ordered implementation of a market intervention scheme to ensure standard packaging and grading of fruits," horticulture minister Mohammad Dilawar Mir said. "This is necessary to withstand the stiff competition in the liberal trade regime as sale of mixed grades of fruit is bringing a bad name to the world-famous fruit industry of Kashmir," Mr Mir said. "If we want to compete, we have to improve the quality.""Fruit trade in the valley has every potential for growth," claims Mr Ghulam Rasool Bhat, president of the Kashmir Fruit Growers Association. Mr Bhat substantiates his claims, saying: "Kashmiri apples are juicier and appealing in colour. Known for their special taste, apples grown here are high in demand in markets across India." The different varieties of apples grown here include Hazratbali, Delicious, Royal Delicious, American and Maharaja. Experts also feel that scab resistant variety of apples would help in business revival. Scientists at Sher-e-Kashmir Agricultural University here claim to have developed Shireen and Firdous varieties, which they say are resistant to diseases. However, the newly developed varieties have not been introduced in the market yet.
Source: thestatesman.net
Publication date: 9/24/2007

Wholesale center in the framework of "Fruit&Vegetable

Wholesale center in the framework of "Fruit&Vegetable Business of Russia 2007"The organizers of the second international conference "Fruit&Vegetable Business of Russia 2007" invite wholesale companies to participate in the work of Wholesale Center to be held on the 24th of October 2007 in the framework of this event. We'd like to remind that the conference will take place in the Expocenter on Krasnaya Presnya, Moscow, on the 23rd - 25th of October 2007. The wholesale center idea came out due to the numerous complaints of Russian wholesalers about the difficulties they face to purchase quality vegetables and fruits of the national origin; from the other side, the producers used to complain on the problems to sell the grown products as well.The Wholesale Center is aimed to help the wholesale companies meet with a large number of the growers at one place and discuss the options of cooperation; it especially concerns the companies - buyers of fruits and vegetables from Russian producers. Large producers of vegetables and potato, fruit growing farms, greenhouse complexes, importers and other companies engaged in fruit&vegetable sector will be present in the event.The wholesale companies are to pay registration fee worth EUR 200 (VAT included) for participation in the wholesale center. The first fifteen companies are not required to pay the registration fee if registered for participation in the wholesale center! Having paid for the participation in the conference, the companies take part in the wholesale center free of charge.Source: lol.org.ua
Publication date: 9/24/2007

Vegetable market in Ramallah

A Palestinian woman buys fruit at a vegetable market in Ramallah. The World Bank has warned that the Palestinian economy remains crippled seven years after the outbreak of the intifada and needs 1.62 billion dollars in annual foreign aid to close the deficit.

China: Threat And Opportunity

Everyone is trying to figure out what China means for the West. New business opportunities in the East? More poverty in the West? A rival superpower?Jack London asked all of these questions a century ago. Already famous for tales of the Alaskan gold rush, the 28-year-old author was hired by the Hearst newspapers in 1904 to cover the war between Russia and Japan. London, who loved boxing, was now ringside for a major defeat of a European country by non-Europeans - the first since the fall of Constantinople in 1453.This Asian triumph came at the same time immigration was leading to anti-Chinese riots in California. In this climate, London sent home a 1904 essay titled "The Yellow Peril" - predicting that the Chinese might one day inherit the earth. Three years later, in 1907, he wrote a science fiction story called "The Unparalleled Invasion," in which he made two accurate predictions about China's future.First, he predicted that Japan would invade China, but eventually be expelled. The Japanese invasion came in 1931, 15 years after London's death, and their expulsion came at the end of WWII.More important was his second prediction. He saw that China would industrialize in the 20th century, and that its vast supply of cheap and disciplined labor would again make it what it had been for millennia before - the world's greatest economic power by far. London wrote that:"China ... entertained no dreams of conquest. The Chinese [were] not an imperial race. .. [they were] industrious, thrifty, and peace-loving. War was looked upon as an unpleasant but necessary task that at times must be performed. And so, while the Western races had squabbled and fought ... China had calmly gone on working at her machines and growing." Until, in his story, it becomes the largest economy on earth. And at current rates of growth, China's GDP will in fact surpass the United States by mid-century.The finale to London's prediction is horrific: The Western powers, terrified by China's new power, wipe out its population with biological warfare. London may not have approved of such genocide, but there is no question that he saw the "yellow peril" as a threat to the West. Despite this ugly racism, Jack London's story captures two faces of globalization: the promise of amazing growth in the East, and the West's shock of relative decline.First the bright side: Most of humanity is escaping from poverty. World Bank figures show that from 1981 to 2004, people living in extreme poverty (less than $1 a day) fell from 33 to 15 percent of world population. Those in moderate poverty (less than $2 a day) fell from 54 to 40 percent.Nowhere was this faster than in China, where extreme poverty declined from 64 percent to 10 percent, and moderate poverty dropped from 84 percent to 35 percent over the same period. Never before has there been such rapid improvement in human well-being.Quite a few foreigners are getting rich in China as well. While in China on business last month, I visited luxury hotels and conference centers swarming with business people from all over the world. This is a gold rush - China's industrialization has produced the greatest increase in absolute world wealth ever.Meanwhile, however, there has been a decline in U.S. relative wealth - and its correlates, our political and military power. This is the downside of globalization, for us. In the long run, we need to keep our military strong, and have much better incentives for environmental protection. But our most immediate need is for a more generous safety net - for the victims of trade.If free trade really is good for the country as a whole - as we economists argue - then it ought to be possible to make it good for the whole country. But don't do it with tariffs - they cut off the benefits of trade for everyone. Do it with subsidies targeted to those hurt by trade.In Scandinavian countries, where such subsidies are much more generous, surveys by Harvard's Dani Rodrik and others show that more people are in favor of globalization. Recognizing what is good for their people as a whole, Scandinavians are willing to protect the inevitable losers.We need to do the same - not out of kindheartedness, but to protect our overall gains from trade. We cannot expect millions of workers to willingly sacrifice their jobs upon the altar of globalism just so the rest of us can enjoy higher living standards.The United States economy has grown faster than the rest of the world for most of two centuries. But not anymore. The poor world is now growing much faster than the rich world. The combined GDP of the developing world, led by China and India, grew 7 percent in 2006 - more than twice as fast as the GDP of the rich countries, according to the World Bank.If world poverty is to be conquered anytime this century, this very rapid growth for the poor must continue. We in the U.S. can get richer by investing, helping the world's poor - the vast majority of our planet - to work smarter and better. China is showing us how great our world's potential is.We must not let our fear of a resurgent Asia cut us off from this immense engine of wealth creation. Let's be constructive - and go get a bigger piece of that wealth. Jim Stodder, an economist at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute at Hartford, recently returned from Beijing and Tianjin, China, where he taught a course on risk management.
Source: courant.com
Publication date: 9/24/2007

Spain: disappointing citrus harvest in Valencia

FRS-Holland sent us an extensive overview of the estimated citrus crop in the Spanish region of Valencia, Alicante and Castellon. The overall crop will be 20% smaller than last year. The largest decrease will be visible for the lemon (-49%) and satsuma (-39%) segment.

http://www.freshplaza.com/news_detail.asp?id=7955

Publication date: 9/20/2007
Author: Dennis van der Westen
Copyright: www.freshplaza.com

Jak Fruit introduces Koala easy peel navel

Tholen - The Australian fresh fruit international trading company Jak Fruit Pty Ltd presented a new brand for an easy peeling Navel orange at the occasion of Asia Fruit Logistica. This super sweet navel will be marketed under the Koala brand. The marketing is powered by a unique website dedicated to the promotion, www.koalaeasypeel.com.au, which is supported with leaflets that communicate the unique attributes of this orange.

For over 50 years this variety was grown by a few growers north of Sydney, but yet was never effectively marketed or commercialized. Besides low acid and more than acceptable juice content, this navel is seedless, easy to peal and easy to segment. “The attribute of low acidity will have a high appeal to Asian consumers, while children and elderly people can peel and eat them,” said Jason Kotz, MD of Jak Fruit. “We anticipate a healthy interest from niche export markets.”

The fruit has excellent storability and can be kept at 7 degrees Celsius. The production has started the last two year and will grow with plantings on different farms during the next two years, growing the volume from roughly 300 MT in 2006/2007, up to 1000 MT in 2007/2008 and 2000 MT in 2008/2009.
For more information, contact:Jason Kotz, MD Jak Fruit Pty LtdJason@jakfruit.com
Tel: +61 350238711Fax: +61 350238722www.jakfruit.com
Publication date: 9/19/2007
Author: André van der Wiel
Copyright: www.freshplaza.com

New apple variety set to revitalise the British apple

The risky business of apple growing is getting a shot in the arm this season, thanks to the £5 million investment by British growers in the JAZZ™ variety that is noted for its crisp bite, sweet flavour, pear-like aroma and bright colouration. The apple only accounts for one in 50 eaten at the moment but the plan is that sales will be worth £25 million in four years’ time.JAZZ™ is primarily grown in New Zealand, USA and France but the catchy name was suggested by the British technical director, Dr Drew Reynolds and British farmers have been very quick to invest in the ‘apple of the future’.Last year, over 200,000 trees were planted in Kent, Sussex, Herefordshire and Suffolk. Commercial Manager Gary Harrison said, “JAZZ is a variety that needs sunshine and the right kind of soil in which to flourish. It is always a relief at harvest time to know the crop is safe, in spite of hail damage from the many unusual storms this summer. We are looking forward to learning Gregg’s verdict on this year’s crop, which is our largest yet in the UK and the first time we have supplied significant quantities to our Tesco, Waitrose, M&S and Morrison’s.”The apple is being promoted by an extreme sports athlete, Tim Emmett, who gives motivational talks in secondary schools that include healthy eating messages. The company also sponsored a climbing event in Wales and Worldwide Fruit is set to work with a top chef to create new recipes. In addition, JAZZ™ is taking a stand at the BBC Good Food Show in Birmingham from November 28 to December 2.The Food Chain CiC at Leeds University proved that JAZZ™ apples created more ultrasound (scoring 7.8 out of 10) than crisps at 7.2 or biscuits at 6.8. Ultrasound is inaudible waves of sound that trigger a reaction in the brain which causes a sensation of pleasure. Professor Povey said, “It is probably that we are genetically disposed to appreciating cripness as a sign of freshness. Crisper foods tend to be fresher.”
More information: www.jazzapples.co.uk
Publication date: 9/21/2007

Enza presents new bicolor apple: Envy

Tholen - At the occasion of the Asia Fruit Logistica, Enza presented a new variety that will be marketed under the brand Envy. This variety is a bicolor apple that was created by HortResearch through the crossing of Royal Gala and Braeburn. The result is very sweet apple that has high brix, high flavor, having a high juice content and yet holding pressure extraordinary well, giving it a long storing time under normal storage conditions. The taste of an apple that was harvested five months ago and kept under normal conditions for five months was excellent, while the pressure was still very high, creating a lot of crunch.

This apple will be available 12 months a year, with production planned for both hemispheres. Currently there are trial trees growing in New Zealand, UK, France and the USA, and some trialing also being done with organic cultivation in Italy. Envy is not yet available for sale due to the limited number of trees in the ground, but the plan is to have similar volumes to Enza's other specialty club variety, Jazz. Dawn Gray, General Manager of Enza, mentioned that this apple is expected to be in high demand in Asia and North America, where people particularly appreciate the sweetness and crunch that
Envy offers.For more information, contact:Dawn E GrayGeneral ManagerEnza International
Tel: +64 9 573 8700dawn.gray@turnersandgrowers.com
www.turnersandgrowers.com
Publication date: 9/18/2007Author: André van der Wiel
Copyright: www.freshplaza.com

UK: A hunger for English apples

September 18 marked the official start of the English Apple season with the arrival of the major English varieties in retailers, more than 7 days earlier than last year. The taste of the apples this year is excellent and demand is greater than ever. However, whilst demand soars, many consumers are confused about which apples are actually English.Apple customers confused about buying British
• 70% of the population actively seek out English Apples when they are in season
• Yet 40% do not know when the English Apple season begins
• 76% of people in the UK believe Granny Smith apples are English when in fact they are importedWhilst consumers may believe they are buying English apples, too frequently they are walking away with foreign varieties such as Granny Smith because they are confused by the name or simply do not know how to recognise an English apple in the shops.Additionally, there is further confusion surrounding some of the largest selling varieties such as Braeburn and Gala because imported supplies are on sale during the English season. This can result in some consumers, unknowingly, buying imported apples which have travelled considerable distances when they could have bought home-grown.Adrian Barlow, Chief Executive of English Apples and Pears Ltd said, “To ensure they are buying British, consumers should look for the Union Jack label on individual apples or the Union Jack logo on bags of apples.”Demand now outstripping supply for English ApplesDespite an excellent harvest due to the warm, wet weather this summer, demand for English apples is still outstripping supply. Almost 70% of the population buy apples every single week and the reputation of English apples for unrivalled flavour together with the current focus on buying local production has resulted in English apples being in greater demand than ever.More than 50% of consumers prefer to buy English because they taste better and because they want to support local suppliers, thus helping to reduce their carbon footprints.Good news this seasonThis year the English apple crop is more than 10% larger than last year thanks to the warm, wet summer weather. There are record crops of both English Gala and English Braeburn with production of these varieties set to rise still further in future seasons from new and recently planted orchards. Indeed, the production of English Braeburn is forecast to triple in the next 5 years. The increased production will help English growers meet the higher consumer demand which currently is outstripping supply.Adrian Barlow, Chief Executive of English Apples and Pears Ltd said, “The large increase in demand from consumers for English apples has created a great challenge for the industry as well as a huge opportunity. We have unprecedented support from retailers who recognise the importance of satisfying their customers and all the multiple retailers are implementing plans to maximise sales of English apples. Growers have invested heavily in new orchards, grading and storage facilities so that we can meet the increased consumer demand for English apples as soon as possible.”The Great British Apple Campaign raises awareness amongst apple-buying consumers of the quality and availability of English apples. Consumers should look for the Union Jack label found on English apples to ensure they are not buying imported apples. English Apples are now in the shops and this year the crop has the outstanding taste and flavour which characterises English apples and sets them apart from apples produced elsewhere.English Apple VarietiesEnglish Cox, still regarded as the finest eating apple in the world, is the largest single variety produced in the UK and represents 50% of the UK total production of eating apples. English Gala is now the second largest variety and this year’s crop will be the largest ever produced in the UK.Other major varieties are Spartan and Egremont Russet which are both available from the end of September. Traditional English varieties will also be in the shops from that time onwards. Later varieties include English Braeburn, Cameo and Kanzi together with the first volumes of English grown Jazz, all of which are new varieties and become available from November onwards.
Source: easier.comPublication date: 9/24/2007

T&M to increase fruit range

Thompson & Morgan has announced that it will be increasing its fruit range for the 2008 season to include small container and patio fruit varieties.It said there has been a massive increase in the number of people growing vegetablies at home, and predicts that by introducing a range of fruit suitable for growing in all gardens, a similar trend will follow with fruit sales. The new range includes ‘Autumn Fruiting Allgold’ and ‘Autumn Bliss’ raspberries, which are Primocane varieties that fruit in the first year on new growth.In addition, ‘Hardy Citrus Lemon Eureka’ and ‘Orange Calamondin’ are both suitable for the UK climate. A green lemon tree is also being added to the citrus range.‘Peach Bonanza’ is a genetic dwarf peach which has been bred in California and is perfect for pot growing in the UK. After a mass of pink blossom in the spring, full size peaches will grow.
Resource:Freshinfo

Australia apple high

The price of apples in western Australia has hit a five year high after a heat wave in the region destroyed as much as thirty percent of the crop, according to reports from Foodweek online.A drought in the eastern part of the country is also pushing up prices, with a carton of apples costing almost $10 AUS (around £4) more than at this time last year.Jason Jarvis, from the Wester Australian Apple and Pear Growers’ Association, told the website that growers will need the prices to stay high if they want to survive the coming seasons.“Instead of having an excess of fruit as we have had in previous years and a carryover to the following season, hopefully we’ll see good prices for next season’s fruit,” he said.

English apple season now underway

The English apple season has officially launched this week, with the arrival of the major UK varieties in retailers over a week earlier than last year.However, despite reports of soaring demands came the slightly more bewildering news that many consumers are confused about which varieties are actually British.A survey found that whilst 70 percent of the population actively seek out English Apples when they are in season, around 40 percent don’t know when the season begins, and 76 percent believe Granny Smith are English when, in fact, they are imported.50 percent of the respondents said that they prefer to buy English apples because they taste better, and because they want to support local suppliers, thus helping to reduce their carbon footprint.Consumers frequently walk away with imported varieties such as Granny Smith because they are confused by the name, or just don’t know how to recognise an English apple. There is also confusion over Braeburn and Gala, because imported versions of the varieties are also on sale during the season.Adrian Barlow, English Apples and Pears’ chief executive, said: “To ensure they are buying British, consumers should look for the Union Jack label on individual apples of the Union Jack logo on bags of apples.”

WWF wrestles with new varieties...

Worldwide Fruit expects to benefit this season from its decision to establish two top-fruit trial sites in Kent, as its ongoing evaluation of new apple and pear varieties gets under way.Caroline Ashdown, trials co-ordinator, also responsible for the development of Jazz, said that despite hail damage at one trial site, the selection programme is producing positive results. Pinpointing the affected site, Chandler and Dunn's farm at Ash, she said: "At Ash, there may not be much fruit but we are still able to assess limited quantities for taste, colour and shape." The other trial orchard – Clive Baxter's farm near Maidstone, escaped the hail. New apple and pear varieties have been planted every year since both sites became operational in 2001. There are now 55 different varieties on trial, and during the early part of the season, attention is focused on varieties that may fit into the mid August-mid September window between peak Discovery and Cox volumes.Most are still only identified by WWF codes, but some are about to be christened, and there is one that, by chance, was already found to be named.Two of the early selections were selected from French breeders Davodeau Ligonniere and Delbard. The other, already named Festival, was originally purchased from the latter by Chandler and Dunn. "Coincidentally, we had already believed that it showed promise," said Ashdown. “It was already on the fast track and has shown itself to fulfil the requirements of excellent taste, colour and shape and colour. There is already an exclusive agreement in place with Marks & Spencer to sell the limited quantities."There are also some exciting later-cropping apple varieties in the pipeline. One is the product of the New Zealand breeding programme, the other is from the Continent. Over 100 trees of Evelina are already in the ground in the UK, which apart from its high colour is showing sufficient disease resistance to be grown organically.The other is a Braeburn/Gala hybrid, similar to Jazz, which will be named shortly.
20.09.07

Jordanian exports on the up...

Fresh produce sendings from Jordan are expanding, according to farm minister Mustafa Qrunfleh. The minister told national daily The Jordan Times that total agricultural exports are expected to be worth more than JD500 million (£355m) this year as planted area of fruit and vegetables expands and partnerships with the private sector increase. The minister said: “The development programmes to support agricultural exports have played great role in this regard.”As part of these programmes, the ministry has trained 33 agricultural engineers in post harvest and other export techniques including packaging and logistics, said the minister. “These programmes provide direct support to the small and medium-size enterprises which are willing to export their products to international markets.”Qrunfleh said his ministry valued the USAID-funded Tatweer Project for organising several workshops and seminars to promote the export of farm products to foreign markets. According to statistics released by him, the export of main farm products declined to JD342m in 2006 from JD460m in 2005 and JD436m in 2004.
20.09.07

Tangerine peel joins cancer killers...

Tangerine peel contains a compound that can kill certain human cancer cells, new research from the Leicester School of Pharmacy has revealed.The research, which was presented at the British Pharmaceutical Conference in Manchester last week, revealed that human cancer cells, which contain an enzyme called P450 CYP1B1, were destroyed by a compound called Salvestrol Q40 contained in tangerine peel.The researchers have formed a private company, called Nature’s Defence Investments, to protect and promote their research, with the potential of designing a natural anti-cancer alternative based on this technology.
20.09.07

Argentine lemon export season ends sooner than...

Tholen - During the Asia Fruit Logisica, Axel Hagelin, Sales and Marketing manager for Asia with the Argentine lemon export company San Miguel, remarked that the export season would probably face a sooner end than normal. Production has been adjusted after several year of oversupply. Industry has a strong demand due to higher international prices of lemon juice and oil. Risen industrialized products demand has lessened the amount of fresh fruit to be exported. We are expecting that volumes will be in tune to demand in the future.San Miguel ships 5 to 6% of its total export volume to Asian markets. As Argentina and India are in the process of establishing protocols, new opportunities may open up that will allow this share to grow even further. Presently, the traditional Asian destinations include China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia and Japan. Some volume is also shipped to China from Uruguay.

Some countries have required Cold treatment on lemon shipments to offset fruit fly infestations. Argentinean technicians sustain that cold treatment is not necessary for lemon, because this particular fruit cannot hold the fruit fly. Several years of investigation has confirmed so. Experiments over a period of 4 years with forced insertion of fruit fly larvae in lemons by the experimental station ‘Obispo Colombres’ in Argentina has indicated that the larvae do not survive in lemons and fruit flies do not breed there, said Hagelin. The Argentinean government is working for obtaining Japanese and Chinese protocol agreements in this particular. Several important Asian markets will be far more promising to Argentine citrus exporters when protocol requirements were to be softened.
For more information, contact:
Axel HagelinSales & Marketing Manager AsiaTel: +5411 4315 6234
ahagelin@sa-sanmiguel.comwww.sa-sanmiguel.com
Publication date: 9/18/2007

US: Maine Apple Season Starts Strong

Maine Growers say the weather is something you can't lose sleep over. Instead they focus on how to turn the season around. For Wallingford's Fruit House in Auburn, the season is off to a strong start. Owner Peter says the apples are sweeter than usual because there was little rain in the last month."It's something that you have to deal with," said Wallingford while standing alongside several crates of freshly picked apples. "You learn after many years of this that it will be better tomorrow and you just kind of get through that one day or that period of time and do what you have to do."The growing season is not going as well for everyone though. Five Fields Farm in Bridgton lost 80 percent of its crop in hail storms this summer. The damage was widespread but they're salvaging what they can for the season.'Pick Your Own' is expected to be open until Mid-October. Growers who process their apples to be shipped plan to be packaging those until the end of the year.
Source: wcsh6.com
Publication date: 9/17/2007

Increase of fresh produce imports to the US

Barranquilla – In a report by the USDA, there is an evaluation of the increasing imports of fruits and vegetables to this country, particularly important since the 1990s. The major suppliers are located within the NAFTA countries in the first place, counter-season countries of the Southern hemisphere in the second place and equatorial countries providers of bananas in the third place. The most important increase on imports is mirrored in the increasing and diversification of consumption by the US population.Between 1990-92 and 2004-06, US annual imports of fresh produce increase from 2.7 billion dollars to 7.9 billion dollars (nominal values). Exports also increased but less than proportional, therefore US is converting in a net importer of fresh produce.

Publication date: 9/17/2007
Author: Jahir LombanaCopyright: www.freshplaza.com

Is the pomegranate the perfect fruit?

While most Jews associate apples and bread dipped in honey with the New Year, pomegranates are considered one of the most spiritual fruits of the holiday. In addition to its many culinary delights, the pomegranate is reported to have many health benefits. Called pomum granatum by the Romans, or seeded apple, the pomegranate is one of the oldest and most beloved fruits, and some believe it was the "apple" in the Garden of Eden. Many considered it a symbol of fertility, but during Rosh Hashanah we eat pomegranates as a reminder to perform acts of good deeds. Jewish tradition says that it contains 613 seeds, the same number of laws that Jews are commanded to obey.In Muslim tradition, Mohammed said, "Eat the pomegranate, for it purges the system of envy and hatred." The pomegranate has always decorated our holiday table, and last year I made a centerpiece using this colorful, regal fruit. But this year it will become part of our Rosh Hashanah dinner and to that end, I'v created several new recipes using the seeds and juice to serve during the Jewish New Year celebration.Pomegranates originated in Persia and in the Himalayas in northern India and were cultivated throughout the Mediterranean region as well as in China. The first pomegranate trees in California were planted by the Spanish in 1769, and the Southland's cool winters and hot summers are the perfect conditions for the fleshy red fruit. Your neighbors might even have a tree in their backyard.When I see pyramids of pomegranates displayed in a market it's difficult to deny them space in my shopping cart. Buy them at your local farmers market when they are in season since they keep for several weeks in a refrigerator.In my home it's customary to save several pomegranates for our grandchildren to help prepare when they arrive for dinner. Their task is to peel away the outer skin, find the seeds and count them before they are served with the meal.To peel the pomegranate, gently score the leather-like skin into quarters, and then place the entire pomegranate in a large bowl filled with water. Keeping your hands under the water, gently pull off the skin and remove the seeds, which will fall to the bottom. Carefully drain the water, discard the outer skin and fibers, and dry the seeds.We begin our Rosh Hashanah dinner with an antipasti of salads. Start with Hummus With Pomegranate Seeds, a delicious, creamy mixture of pureed chickpeas and sesame seed paste flavored with garlic, lemon juice and olive oil, served with challah, pita bread, fresh vegetables or sliced jicama. Include a Cabbage-Carrot Slaw With Pomegranate Seeds served on a bed of thinly sliced romaine lettuce and topped with a generous amount of pomegranate seeds. Both salads are tasty and colorful and take minutes to prepare with the help of a food processor.The main course is Roasted Lamb Shanks With Pomegranate Sauce, which tastes even better the next day and can be prepared in advance. Simply reheat and serve with noodles and your favorite vegetables.For a refreshing dessert, prepare homemade non-dairy Pomegranate and Lime Sorbet and serve it with Pomegranate Jelly-Filled Cookies that are rolled in nuts, baked and filled with a dollop of pomegranate jelly.
Source: jewishjournal.com
Publication date: 9/11/2007

Mini-melons latest fashionable trend

For those in the watermelon trade, less is more. A small, sweet version of the traditional summer treat has become the darling of the fruit market. Consumers seem to prefer a personal sized melon that takes up less space and doesn't seem to weigh a ton when you lug it home or to a picnic. In 2006, mini-watermelons captured8.5 percent of the U.S. market, said Kenton Kidd, a retail merchandiser with the National Watermelon Promotion Board. It's the fastest-growing segment of the market, he added, jumping 24 percent from the previous year. In the San Joaquin Valley, where watermelons are a cash crop in areas like Stockton, Manteca, western Fresno County and Bakersfield, growers are cognizant of the rising popularity."The consumer demand is always changing, so we have to grow commodities that are most appealing to consumers," said Bruce Blodgett, executive director of the San Joaquin Farm Bureau. Monique McLaws understands that well. Her company, Orange County-based Dulcinea Farms distributes the mini melons to local grocery stores like Safeway, and looks for ways to enhance certain other fruits.Dulcinea's minis — which weigh between 4-7 pounds and only have an eighth inch of rind — were created by a very unique germ plasm by their parent company Syngenta, McLaws said. "They are sweeter in flavor throughout the entire melon, plus you truly get so much more out of product," she said, adding that extensive consumer research went into the creation of the mini seedless watermelon."Lots of people showed a dissatisfaction with watermelon being so large. It's heavy to transport, they discard a good portion of it and the middle wasn't great tasting," McLaws said. McLaws says their "Pure Heart" brand has been exceptionally well-received, especially by middle-aged women, those with small families, and "empty-nesters."Local farmers are slowly adapting to growing and distributing personal-sized watermelons. "We've been doing some growing of the mini, but very little," said Ryan Van Groningen, a sales manager at Manteca-based Van Groningen & Sons Co. "The majority of our business is still in growing regular and seedless watermelons."Van Groningen said he's observed the increase in the demand for miniature melons, noting that it makes sense for people with limited space in larger cities such as San Francisco or Oakland or those who have a hankering for watermelon in the winter months. Jefferson Lowe of Corona Seeds in Camarillo, thinks worldwide demand for the minis is now 15 percent of the total market. European demand helps bump it up, he said."Will market share grow? That is the question," said Lowe, who has predicted the rise of the mini watermelon since the 1990s. While Europeans have long liked small melons, they only caught on in the United States in the early part of this century. "The actual idea and the genetics has been around quite a while," Van Groningen said. "Recently, consumer interest picked up. Back in the day, small watermelons were around, but they weren't popular."With the harvest season over, farmers such as Parry Klassen of Selma are making plans for double or triple plantings of these minis. He's not sure if he'll grow much more than this, though. He has a problem that affects the general mini market: The little ones cost as much to produce as the big ones. "Labor is just as difficult as with a regular watermelon. Growing, the picking cost, everything is the same," Klassen said.This year, he sold the minis for $4 each, the same price as some of his larger watermelons. Predictably, some customers balked. It's these costs — along with development of new varieties, marketing and consumer demand — that influence the market share of minis. Farmers simply can't drop prices too low as supply increases. Miniature melons sell in supermarkets for $3.99 to $4.99, depending on the time of year, McLaws said.Overall, the prices farmers have been getting for their watermelon crops over the summer have been relatively poor, Van Groningen said. The low return is the result of overproduction from other states such as Texas and New Mexico, which usually have question marks about their production because of unpredictable weather.California may trail Florida, Texas and Georgia, but its farmers still harvested 6.4 million pounds of the fruit last year. The prices seem to be coming back up following Labor Day, Van Groningen said. Despite the increase in miniature watermelons, consumers will still have a need for large melons."There's still going to be that desire to have a big watermelon with whole family at a picnic or outdoors," Van Groningen said. "I was going to a family get-together a couple weeks ago, and realized it would be awkward to bring a bunch of minis, I think there's a place for both," McLaws said.
Source: insidebayarea.com
Publication date: 9/11/2007

Orange, lemon can prevent cancer

Nearly 30 years after Nobel laureate US biochemist Linus Pauling suggested that vitamin C supplements can prevent cancer, researchers from Johns Hopkins Institute in Baltimore have confirmed that in mice at least, vitamin C and potentially other antioxidants can inhibit the growth of some cancer tumours.Conventional wisdom has it that antioxidants mop up volatile oxygen free radical molecules and prevent DNA damage associated with degenerative diseases associated with aging, such as cancers, cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease, immune dysfunction, cataracts and macular degeneration.The Hopkins study, however, found that the antioxidants’ actual role is to destabilise a tumour’s ability to grow under oxygen-starved conditions. The work, led by Dr Chi Dang, professor of medicine and oncology at Johns Hopkins, is published in the medical journal Cancer Cell.So far, studies linking antioxidants to cancer prevention have been conflicting. “Research has conclusively linked diet and lifestyle with some cancers such as those of the uterus, breast, colon and stomach, but there is no conclusive proof that antioxidants can be prescribed for cancer prevention.“However, vitamin C and other antioxidants are good for health and boost immunity, we ask cancer survivors to include a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables in their diet,” says Dr Sameer Kaul, senior consultant in oncology, Apollo Hospital.When it comes to boost antioxidant intake, food sources of antioxidants are better than diet supplements, health newsletter Mayo Clinic Health Letter said, quoting recent research. The best-known food components with antioxidant activities are vitamins A, C, and E; i-carotene; the mineral selenium; and the compound lycopene.“Many antioxidants can be identified in food by their distinctive colours the deep red of cherries and of tomatoes; the orange of carrots; the yellow of mangos; and the blue-purple of red cabbage, plums, blackberries (jamun), brinjal and red grapes. Purple, in fact, is considered the best source of antioxidants,” says nutritionist Rekha Sharma, senior vice president, VLCC Healthcare.
Source: hindustantimes.com
Publication date: 9/11/2007

US: Goodbye to oranges?

The orange has become one of the world's favorite fruits: In 2005, Americans ate nine million metric tons of them, and Brazilians consumed another five million. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, the top producers of oranges worldwide in 2005 were Brazil with 17.8 million metric tons, and the United States with 8.4 million. However, we may be about to kiss goodbye to orange juice, marmalade, and duck á l'orange. Oranges worldwide are under attack from a whole spectrum of diseases, and in one serious case, growers are to blame.The citrus industry in Florida is being decimated by a disease that renders the fruit inedible. Called citrus greening, it is caused by the bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus . Greening has already destroyed the citrus industry in China and Thailand, and it is spreading in Brazil. In the Philippines, more than 1,200 hectares (2,965 acres) are affected by greening in the Kasibu region alone. Detection is a problem, because initial symptoms resemble nutrient deficiency and can take years to develop. Control is with pesticides to kill the small, grayish moth-like insects called citrus psyllids that spread the disease.Florida is also reeling from the effects of a disease known as citrus canker, which has been spreading since 1995. Canker, caused by the bacterium Xanthomonas axonopodis pathovar citri , dries out juice oranges, which make up 90% of the state's orange crop. In 2004, wind-driven rain from three hurricanes blew the bacteria all over Florida, causing an explosion of the disease in 2005. There is no known chemical that will destroy the bacteria within the plant tissue, so all infected and exposed trees must be destroyed.Almost 12 million commercial and 800,000 residential citrus trees have been cut down. The US Department of Agriculture has compensated growers millions of dollars, and experts predict canker will create losses of $35 million per year. According to the biennial Commercial Citrus Inventory carried out in 2006 by the Florida Agricultural Statistics Service, the state's citrus industry has decreased by 16.4% since 2004, in part due to disease.Turning to the other coast, California farmers are dealing with "quick decline," a disease caused by citrus tristeza virus (CTV). It is spread by aphids and grafting, and is lethal to sweet orange grown on sour orange rootstocks, a major rootstock worldwide because it provides resistance to the dangerous Phytophthora root rot. CTV can cost citrus growers with sour orange rootstocks 25% or more trees per year. Sour orange is the sole rootstock in Mexico, the world's third biggest producer, where all the trees will die as the virus advances. (Thanks to Dagmar Hanold at the University of Adelaide, and J. Allan Dodds of the University of California, Riverside, who provided technical details.)This is a frustrating situation, as some of this could have been prevented. Growers in Tulare County, Calif., voted a few years ago not to participate in the CTV suppression effort, because their rootstock is not sour orange, so CTV had only a minor effect on their trees. But their groves served as a reservoir, and the virus spread to other groves, including the Lindcove Research Center in Exeter. This spring, the center found CTV in 44 of its trees, and most troubling, in four trees in the Citrus Cloning Protection Program that supplies new buds to citrus nurseries. As a result, it could not certify the buds as disease-free. So to save themselves the expense of replanting, Tulare County growers literally condemned citrus to death in the rest of the state. The only way to fight the disease is to cut infected trees down and replant with virus-free stock, and now the source of that has disappeared.Even replanting would probably be futile if (or when) a more efficient transmitter, the brown citrus aphid, arrives in California; it has already reached Florida. It takes decades to breed new resistant trees, assuming resistance genes are even available, so that is no alternative.The selfishness of California growers in refusing to destroy their infected trees is amazing. And neighboring growers are to blame, as well - they should convince growers with infected trees to cut them down and replant, by cooperating to provide compensation when the government does not, for example from a levy on their production. That would be in their own self-interest, and benefit the entire region.Let's hope a solution appears quickly, before American orange orchards go the way of those in China, Thailand, and soon, Mexico.
Source: the-scientist.com
Publication date: 8/23/2007

About 100 apple varieties grown commercially...

It's crunch time for America's apple growers as they rush their ripening fruit to market. But what once was as simple for consumers as choosing between red and green has become a maze of choice. Some 2,500 named apple varieties are grown in the United States with more than 7,500 produced worldwide, according to the U.S. Apple Association.Only about 100 varieties are grown commercially, with 15 making up 90 percent of the harvest. These mass-market selections are bred primarily for their appearance, high yields, size, bruise-resistance - and longer shelf life."Once you pick an apple, it's dying," said David Bedford, a research scientist and head of the apple breeding program at the University of Minnesota's Agricultural Experiment Station at Chanhassen. "From there, it's all downhill. But if you start with a sturdier apple, it's a longer hill, a longer way to the bottom."The dizzying array today might have shocked early Americans. Just a half-dozen wild crab apple varieties awaited British colonists arriving in America in the 17th century. Thousands of hillside orchards soon were planted with the progeny of favored European varieties.It was a rare pioneer farmyard that didn't include a family orchard made up of a dozen or so obscure yet quaint-sounding varieties like Maiden Blush, Western Beauty, Chenango Strawberry, Roxbury Russet and Westfield Seek No Further.Some matured early and were pressed into thirst-quenching summer ciders. Others, the so-called "winter bananas," were picked later and stored in root cellars covered with layers of straw, to be enjoyed during the dark, cold days of winter."There were some real jewels among them with great flavors, rich with juices and unusual aromas," said Tom Burford, an author, lecturer, orchard and nursery consultant from Lynchburg, Va. Burford has been dubbed "Professor Apple" for his extensive work rediscovering antique varieties previously believed extinct."Many of the 'cookers' were so sweet you never added sugar to any of the recipes," he said. "Others, though, I call 'quick spitters.' One bite and you spit them out. They were pretty awful." Consumers are becoming more discerning about apples and many are seeking out the uncommon flavors that can be sampled in roadside stands or farmer's markets."I've had more than one person come up to me at one of my apple tastings and say, 'I did not realize that apples had such a wide spectrum of tastes,'" Burford said. "It's good that we're getting that kind of interest again in apples and flavorful foods."Curiosity and historic considerations aside, most of the antique varieties aren't grown now for good reason, said Richard Marini, department head and professor of horticulture at Penn State University."Some were susceptible to disease," he said. "Some of them were alternate bearers, meaning they would bear a crop every other year. Some tended to drop their fruit from the tree before it was ready to be picked. Some rotted readily in storage. Some just didn't look pretty. They were grown in the old days mostly for home use and cider. Others were too fragile and didn't travel well."Despite the thousands of existing varieties, the search for "the perfect apple" continues with scientists like Minnesota's Bedford leading the charge. "The two big things we're looking for in our breeding program are texture and flavor," Bedford said. "Eating quality is our priority."Bedford said experts have rejected a past emphasis on size and color - a focus that produced what he called the "indifferent tasting" Red Delicious. Bedford headed the research team that developed the Honeycrisp, a crunchy cross between the Macoun apple and a Honeygold. It finally was made available for commercial release in 1991 after three decades of testing."Newer varieties like the Granny Smith, the Gala and the Raeburn started the flavor revolution," Bedford said. "Now we're getting back around to where people want apples that taste good.
"Source: onlineathens.com
Publication date: 9/11/2007

Safety of Vietnam's fruit, vegetables under microscope

Viet Nam’s fruit and vegetable exports totalled an impressive 8.3 million tonnes this year alone, but the industry’s output remains unacceptable due to the lack of quality control. Recently, Vietnamese consumers received alarming information that many supermarkets were violating quality control codes for produce.In the past, such violations were mainly restricted to small markets carrying goods from unknown sources. But now, such goods have found their way into several major supermarkets in Ha Noi.This situation has served as a major wake-up call for all consumers who thought large establishments provided a guaranteed way of accessing high-quality goods. But the issue of food quality has not only been a local topic. Recently, it has received international media attention as well. This is due to the profound effects food quality can have on human health and on effective international economic integration (a particular concern for developing countries).Experts suggests that violations have occurred with such frequency in Viet Nam for a variety of reasons. However, the primary factor is a lack of capital for improving technology and food science. Many farmers and consumers in the country are still unaware of the serious effects pesticides and chemicals can have. Moreover, there is little knowledge of and less personal responsibility taken for the proper handling and transportation of foodstuffs.Currently, many scientifically advanced countries grow and control the quality of their produce by selecting seeds for growing, harvesting, and selling. For example, Australia uses a GAP (Good Agriculture Practice) code that doubles as a relied upon European standard. Therefore, their tomato fields, for example, usually yield between 400 to 500 tonnes/ha per year and produce an average income of US$500 million per year from only 5,000sq.m.In Viet Nam, though those yields are still unrealistic without advanced technology, at least quality control can be assured. Ass. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Bo, director of the Viet Nam Academy of Agricultural Sciences, said, "To solve these problems, the Agricultural Department needs to inspire technological and scientific research regarding product safety. We must work on applying biological technology, especially micro-organic technology, while concurrently promoting agriculture which is suitable to the environment in Viet Nam. This should take precedence for Viet Nam from now until 2020."Pham Thi Vuong, vice director of the National Institute of Plant Protection, voiced a similar opinion, adding that more centres are needed to analyse and verify chemical contents in vegetables. This would enable the Government to more closely monitor agricultural products before distribution to the market. In short, Viet Nam’s agricultural product must be made safer in order to meet the expectations of the general public and to surpass the standards necessarily created by health and safety experts, scientists, administrators, and producers alike.
Source: vnagency.com.vn
Publication date: 9/14/2007

First shipments of Turkish citrus fruits will start..

First shipments of Turkish citrus fruits will start entering Ukrainian markets in a weekCIS produce business periodical, "Agrooglyad: Fruits and Vegetables" weekly informs, Ukrainian importers of fruits and vegetables have presently suspended active imports of citrus fruits; they expect for the first shipments of citrus fruits to enter the markets. To the opinion of the market players, the first shipments of Turkish citrus fruits will enter Ukrainian market in the second half of September."Agrooglyad: Vegetables and Fruits" journal conducts the wholesale price monitoring among the producers of all regions of Ukraine, and also the largest wholesale produce markets in Kyiv, Moscow, Warsaw, Lviv, Simferopol, Dnepropetrovsk, Gorlovka and Lugansk; according to the provided data, at the present moment the wholesale price for orange fluctuates $0.8-1.1/kg, for tangerine - $1.1-1.3/kg, for lemon - $1-1.3/kg, and for grapefruit - $1.4-1.6/kg.We'd like to remind that you will be able to communicate with the importers, exporters, wholesalers, foreign suppliers and national fruit&vegetable producers, and also learn about the perspectives of the situation developments on fruit&vegetable market of Ukraine during the fourth international conference "Fruits and Vegetables of Ukraine 2007. Meeting New Leader", to be held on December 4th-6th 2007 on the territory of the National Complex "Expocenter of Ukraine" in Kyiv. The online registration form for the conference participants is available here. Source: lol.org.ua
Publication date: 9/11/2007

Tangerine peel could help fight cancer...

Tangerine peel could help in the fight against certain cancers, researchers said on Wednesday. Human cancer cells, which contain an enzyme called P450 CYP1B1, were destroyed by a compound contained in tangerine peel, Salvestrol Q40, scientists at Leicester School of Pharmacy found.The findings may offer a new approach to uncovering a treatment for cancers such as breast, lung, prostate and ovarian cancer, the scientists said. Medicinal chemist Dr. Hoon L. Tan said: "It is very exciting to find a compound in food that can target cancers specifically. "Salvestrols may offer a new mechanism of dietary anti-cancer action."Indeed, the depletion of salvestrols in the modern diet is due to the fact that many people no longer eat the skin of fruits and this may be a major contributory factor to the increasing incidence of some cancers in the human population." The breakthrough was being presented at the British Pharmaceutical Conference held in Manchester.But he warned that the research was still in its early days and many tests will be needed before reaching the clinical trial stage, which could take between five and seven years.The researchers have formed a private company, Nature's Defence Investments, to protect and promote their research, with the potential of designing a natural anti-cancer alternative based on the new technology.
Source: sciam.com
Publication date: 9/14/2007

Washington apple volume expected to decrease in..

The Washington Apple Commission is expecting the 2007-08 apple crop to be down approximately 3 percent when compared to 2006-07, which is expected to finish around 98.9 million boxes.
In 2007-08 the Red Delicious crop, which accounts for approximately 35 percent of total apple volume from Washington, is expected to be down approximately 5.9 million boxes due to cold spring weather and light return bloom. Good supplies of top grades are expected, and quality is good. Gala production is expected to increase by approximately 1.4 million boxes. Quality is expected to be good with a range of sizes available.
Golden Delicious volume is anticipated to increase by 546,000 boxes, with sizes in the 72 to 100 range. Last season, the variety was affected by russeting, and the crop was short as a result.
Hail damage to regions growing Fuji in 2006 affected tree blooms this season. The new crop is expected to be approximately 774,000 boxes shorter this season compared to last season.
Volume for new-crop Cameo, Jonagold and Braeburn is expected to be similar to 2006-07.
Production of Granny Smith is stable, and the volume in 2007-08 is expected to be approximately 14 million boxes, similar to last season.
If there are no weather impacts, Cripps Pink volume will be up by approximately 474,000 boxes this season.
Production of all organic varieties in Washington is projected to be approximately 3.2 million boxes for the coming season.
Charles Pomianek, director of the Wenatchee Valley Traffic Association, said that the 2006-07 crop is finishing in an orderly manner. "This last season, we hit benchmarks 52 weeks in a row," he told The Produce News. "We will have an extremely smooth transition."
As of Aug. 26, a total of 96.5 million boxes of apples for the 2006-07 crop had been shipped. Approximate statewide/districtwide apple movement was as follows: Red Delicious, 33.9 million boxes (Yakima: 23.9 million boxes; Wenatchee: 10.1 million boxes); Golden Delicious, 10.2 million boxes (Yakima: 5.8 million boxes; Wenatchee: 4.4 million boxes); Granny Smith, 13.8 million boxes (Yakima: 8.6 million boxes; Wenatchee: 5.2 million boxes); Fuji, 12.4 million boxes (Yakima: 7.6 million boxes; Wenatchee 4.8 million boxes); Gala, 15.9 million boxes (Yakima: 10.2 million boxes; Wenatchee: 5.7 million boxes); Braeburn, 3.5 million boxes (Yakima: 2.2 million boxes; Wenatchee: 1.3 million boxes); Jonagold, 1.2 million boxes (Yakima: 924,000 boxes; Wenatchee: 287,000 boxes); Cameo, 1.3 million boxes (Yakima: 688,000 boxes; Wenatchee: 626,000 boxes); Cripps Pink, 1.9 million boxes (Yakima: 1.2 million boxes; Wenatchee: 712,000 boxes); Other varieties, 2.3 million boxes (Yakima: 1.4 million boxes; Wenatchee: 889,000 boxes).
The shipment of 2006-07 apples is expected to finish at the end of September. Shipment of new crop early Goldens and Galas was already picking up during the latter part of August. By the end of the first week of September, approximately one million boxes of new crop apples had already been shipped.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the state of Washington accounts for 58 percent of total apple production in the United States. Mr. Pomianek was asked how transportation issues are being dealt with by growers. "It did seem when I talked to other people that transportation wasn't a problem for anybody [last season]," he replied. "The loss of Amtrak hit some growers hard. But Railex is taking up some of the slack."
According to Mr. Pomianek, rail shipment accounts for approximately 3 percent of total crop movement.
He said some growers are developing in-house logistics departments, which become a value-added service to customers. "This may be a long-term shift for the future," he went on to say. "This is a way [for companies] to differentiate themselves."
Mr. Pomianek also indicated that greater control over the shipping process keeps product quality high. "Quality and service go a long way," he said.
(For more on Washington apples, see the Sept. 10 issue of The Produce News.)
09/12/2007

Review of the Russian market - week 37

Week 37 was more active than week 36 and it seems this trend will continue further. Cold weather in European part of Russia gave a push to fruit market. Even watermelons reacted on it by going up price to 0,31 $/kg against 0,24 $/kg last week. Melons visa versa dropped further due to poor quality in the end of the season – 0,59 $/kg. This product remained to be the looser in week 38. The importers were trying to be more active than before but majority of the market was occupied by local production. Citrus situation would be probably more optimistic later due to little volume of arrivals for next week and further – 2 500 pallets only for week 38 although in week 37 Russian market received 11 500 pallets, mostly from South Africa. China expanded it’s pressure to Siberian part of Russia with more varieties and larger volumes. The short demand in Ural region in the beginning of the week was quickly satisfied by traders so the general situation was more or less stable all over the country.

OrangesAttempts of importers to raise up the prices till so far didn’t meet success. The situation with oranges was better in Moscow than in Saint-Petersburg. 0,94 $/kg was the price level for I cat. RSA fruit in sizes 64-72 against 0,84 $/kg for the same stuff accordingly. Argentine oranges were under 0,70 $/kg even in Moscow effected by large quantities arrived to the market during last month.

LemonsThe lemons eventually lost 0,08 $/kg due to some extra arrivals in week 37 – 0,92 $/kg was price level of this week. It seems that it wouldn’t last too long if quality of Argentine lemons will be kept on the same reasonable level as nowadays. Turkey might start with it’s lemons in the end of week 38 already. It’s earlier this season than in 2006.MandarinsSound mandarins could be sold on 1,50 $/kg in week 38. GrapefruitsSales of Argentine grapefruits were not active whereas South African fruits were in demand despite of price difference which became larger than last week : 1,32 $/kg against 1,58 $/kg accordingly.ApplesThe majority of apples on the market was local fruits. They had price from 0,63 $/kg up to 0,79 $/kg where Moldavian prices started which quality was better than local but far from perfect. The best variety from Moldova was Prima – 0,99 $/kg. The quality stuff with the lowest price was Serbian – from 1,185 $/kg. First European apples stay on expensive 1,75 – 1,80 $/kg level. Fresh Italian Granny looked in Moscow definitely better than French ones.PearsThe regions were more actively consuming pears in week 37 than Moscow and Saint-Petersburg where the local stuff was presented in larger volumes. In general, due to presence of many varieties on the market pears were on of the bestseller this week. Prices went slightly down for about 0,05 – 0,06 $/kg for all the varieties in comparison with last week.GrapesThe consumption of grapes goes up taking the leadership from stone fruits. Lowest prices were noted for Moldavian blue grapes – 0,79 $/kg whereas Uzbekistani and Turkish fruits had more or less similar price level – 1,18 – 1,20 $/kg in Saint-Petersburg, the last one was better sold out in Moscow – up to 1,42 $/kg. Italian grapes stayed on 2,20 $/kg level without strong demand.Summer fruitsThe end of the season is felt for summer fruits. The stuff offered on the market doesn’t look fresh enough after cold storages. The prices were on 1,75 – 1,90 $/kg level with the offer exceeding the demand. There are newcomers – pomegranates whose season starts from Uzbekistan – 2,37 $/kg and later – from Egypt which will come next week into the market.Local potato were offered on 0,235 $/kg, cabbage – 0,255 $/kg, onions – 0,335 $/kg. The demand in week 37 was shown for tomatoes and cucumbers, capsicums and aubergines. Tomatoes from Astrakhan region were offered on 1,07 $/kg level, those from glass houses – from 1,34 $/kg up. Cucumbers – 1,00 $/kg up to 1,30 $/kg. Local capsicums – 0,55 $/kg, aubergines – 0,59 $/kg.
Pavel Bandurovsky195269, Russia, St. Petersburg, 54, Svetlanovsky pr., letter "B" Tel.:
+ 7 (812) 324-2514, + 7 (812) 324-2515 Fax: + 7 (812) 324-2510 Email Website
Publication date: 9/14/2007

Mexico: dragonfruit very popular

Dragonfruit, or "pitaya" in Mexico, may be the new kiwi fruit. It's indigenous to Mexico, Central and South America, and is now cultivated in South China and Southeast Asia. The name dragonfruit, a translation of the Chinese, huolong gu, is the fruit of a cactus-like plant, Hylocereus undatus.The Phan family, originally from Vietnam, now farms organically in Sacramento and sells dragonfruit at the Saturday Alemany and Wednesday Civic Center markets. The Phans seem to have a special green thumb, capable of coaxing topical fruits and roots, such as ginger, out of their greenhouse.When you cut through the bright, fuchsia-pink or red skin and segment the fruit, you find a pure-white flesh dotted with tiny black seeds, the size of seeds in kiwi fruit. In folk medicine, is purported to be good for diabetes, to reduce cholesterol and high blood pressure, and to minimize asthma and cough.Most Latinos and Asians peel and eat the fruit as it is, but you may use its mildly sweet flavor in fruit drinks and salads. Speaking of fruit, delectable Honeycrisp apples from Watsonville are rolling into markets, along with McIntoshes, Jonagolds and Galas. But last-gasp summer peaches and plums are still going strong in the foothills.And grapes are plentiful, including both red and green varieties and less common black Ribier, sweet French Colombard and Italian muscat grapes.
Source: sfgate.com

Valencia citrus shortfall

Citrus production in the main Spanish growing area of Valencia is forecast to fall by 25 per cent on last season, with the satsuma crop likely to be a massive 47 per cent down. According to figures released by the agriculture office of the regional executive, total citrus output is expected to fall by more than one million tonnes to 3.2mt. Strong winds that brought warm, dry conditions in April, as well as low humidity in May and June affected trees and fruit set was low, causing the loss of volume.Orange production is forecast to fall by 25 per cent, with Navel volumes down 24 per cent and within that Navelinas down 31.7 per cent on last season. Overall clementine production is also forecast lower, but the picture is mixed variety by variety. In early clems, Marisol, Clemenules and Oroval are declining as other early types take over and there is a marked increase in the hybrid types. “This should favour the start of the season, as there will be almost 300,000t less production of early easy peelers and oranges so there is no reason why there should not be good returns to growers,” said regional agriculture minister Maritina Hernández. Grower groups in the region are calling for severe penalties for those operators that jump the gun and try to market fruit that is immature. “Once again, some operators have started selling thousands of kilos of Clausellina, Okitsu, Oronules and Marisol of insufficient quality,” said Cristóbal Aguado, president of Ava-Asaja. “This makes the start of the season very hard, as it cheats consumers, who stop buying – and that punishes producers. We demand quality norms are upheld.” The regional executive is already carrying out inspections and any fruit that does not meet the grade is being withdrawn from the supply chain. Ken Smith, trading director at Greencell Ltd, expects there to be a knock-on effect of the reduced volumes in the UK. “Satsumas will start and finish early,” he said. “Quality and sizing are good, but clementines are also down and in Turkey the satsuma crop is down too – to the level of two years ago.”

Turkish fruit will hit a good market and prices...

Global demand for lemons and short crops in major production areas are pushing prices up sky high. “Prices for southern-hemisphere lemons are running at a high we have not seen in years,” said Ken Smith, trading director at Greencell Ltd. “Argentina has not had great quality and then the frosts cut back everything. South Africa has had too much in small sizes and there is just not enough fruit to go round all the markets in Asia, the Middle East and Europe. Add to that the fact that the Turkish crop is at least 30-40 per cent down, and it will be a tight market for October.”According to Jonathan Olins, who heads up Poupart’s non-supermarket business, Turkey is likely to be about 50 per cent down on its Interdonato lemon crop. “Interdonato is the early lemon variety and will be starting on September 20,” he said. “Last year they had a bumper crop, but this year it is down.” The Lamas lemon crop, which comes on stream in November, is expected to be in line with a normal season. “It will be a very strong market for lemons,” he said. “Turkish fruit will hit a good market and prices are already high.”

Size problems reduce for English apple crop

The English dessert apple crop is unlikely to be beset by size problems this season, as colder weather in the last couple of months slowed down growth. There were expectations of a well-above-average size profile, but the anticipated surplus of 75mm-plus fruit will not now materialise. The cooler temperatures have also been beneficial for colour, and juice content is high. English Apples & Pears chief executive Adrian Barlow’s official prognosis for the campaign has been amended to “not vintage, but good” after previous concern.The latest EAP-generated production forecast – released on Tuesday – puts Cox at 10 per cent higher than 2006 (47,700 tonnes of the variety). Gala volumes will rise by around 19 per cent to 26,400t, short of the 30,000t that Barlow believes could be sold, but certainly no disaster. He was more tentative about Braeburn output. “The figures we have suggest a crop of 8,000t, 32 per cent up, but I am slightly nervous about that, as there may well be more hail damage to come through,” Barlow told FPJ.Egremont Russet volume should rise to 5,300t (up 35 per cent), and Spartan by seven per cent to 1,750t. And the first commercial volumes of Jazz, combined with expanding volumes of Cameo and Kanzi, are expected to push the “other desserts” category 54 per cent higher, to 6,500t. The media bandwagon behind the UK apple industry picked up pace in the last seven days, with new-season apples receiving widespread coverage in the national press. Next Tuesday, designated as the official launch of the season, will see Barlow appear on various radio and TV broadcasts across the country.

Israeli citrus returns to form

The return to form of Israel’s citrus industry is best expressed by the vote of confidence it received from growers this year: they have planted 1,200 hectares of new citrus groves, more than in any other single year over the past 30 years. The trend for new plantings started a few years ago as profitability increased in the sector, especially with the introduction of several new easy-peel varieties. According to the citrus division of Israel’s Plants Production & Marketing Board, the total area under citrus production in the country has reached 21,000ha. “The trend of increasing plantations is expected to continue in the next four to five years,” said Tal Amit, manager of the citrus division at the board. He estimated that total yields during the 2006-07 campaign reached 634,000 tonnes, and the same yield is expected in 2007-08.The most significant change is the decline in plantings of orange groves and the rise in plantings of easy peelers and grapefruit. The easy peelers leading the charge are Or, Ora and Merav, as well as increasing yields of satsumas. As far as exports are concerned, pigmented and white grapefruit dominate reaching an export volume of 77,000t this past season – some 46.5 per cent of the total export basket. This is followed by the export of easy peelers, with 49,500t and a 30 per cent share; and oranges on 31,000t (20 per cent). Other low-volume varieties make up the remainder. Amit expects total Israeli citrus exports this season will decline by 8,000t to 165,000t due to tough competition from Turkey on red grapefruit. Israeli citrus growers face a challenge in terms of their tax-free easy peeler quotas to the EU. Amit maintains that Israel could sell larger quantities of its fruit to the EU if these quotas were enlarged. The Israeli farm ministry is in negotiation with EU authorities to change the union’s existing policy.

Meyvenin iyisini ihracatçı kaptı, pahalılık kapıda

Meyvenin iyisini ihracatçı kaptı, pahalılık kapıda
Yazar H. ÇİFÇİ
Salı, 11 Eylül 2007

Kuraklık sebebiyle çiftçiler sıkıntılı günler yaşarken narenciye üreticilerinin yüzü gülüyor. Bahçe sahipleriyle anlaşan ihracatçılar, portakal ve limonu dalında satın aldı. Kaliteli narenciyenin büyük bölümü kış aylarında yurtdışına gönderilecek. İç pazar ise geride kalanlarla yetinecek. Üstelik fiyatlar da yükselecek. Adanalı Fırat Özkan, meyvelerini daha toplamadan satan üreticilerden biri. İhracatçı firmalar, bahçesindeki limon ve mandalinayı iki öy önceden almış. Kilo başına 55 yeni kuruşa anlaşan Özkan, "Fiyatlar her geçen gün artıyor. Bu sene memnunuz." diyor. Osman Gökçe ise yetiştirdiği limonu iki katı fiyatına 60 kuruşa satmış. Ancak aniden bastıran soğukların ağaçlara büyük zarar verdiğini belirtiyor. Bu yüzden üretimin azalacağını söylüyor. İhracatla uğraşan Bayram Çayır ise dalında satın aldığı ürünleri Rusya ve Ukrayna'ya satacağını anlatıyor. Şimdiden bağlantılarını kurmuş.

Bozcaada'da alıcı bulamayan 500 ton üzüm

Bozcaada'da alıcı bulamayan 500 ton üzüm çürümeye bırakıldı
Yazar H. ÇİFÇİ
Çarşamba, 12 Eylül 2007

Çanakkale'nin Bozcaada ilçesinde üretilen 3 bin ton şaraplık üzümden 500 tonu alıcı olmadığı için bağlarda çürümeye terk edildi. Üzüm üreticileri, sıkıntının, alkollü olduğu için şaraba sıcak bakmayan hükümet politikasından kaynaklandığını ileri sürdü.Hükümetin şaraba 2005 yılında yüksek oranda ÖTV (Özel Tüketim Vergisi) getirmesiyle merdivenaltı üretim yaygınlaştı, piyasaya kaçak şarap sürümü arttı. Hükümet bu kez kontrol mekanizması olarak 24 Temmuz 2007'de alkollü içecekler için bandrol uygulaması başlattı. Üreticilere 5 Kasım'a kadar süre tanındı. Bandrol yapıştırılan şaraba yüksek oranda ÖTV eklenince fiyatlarda yüzde yüz oranında artış yaşandı. Piyasada 2.5 YTL'ye satılan bir şişe şarabın fiyatı 6 YTL'ye yükseldi. Merdivenaltı şarapçıları ellerindeki bandrolsüz şarap stoklarını tüketebilmenin derdine düştü. Azalan satışlar nedeniyle şarap üreticileri üzüm alımını durdurdu. Bu durumdan en çok üzüm üreticisi etkilendi. Bağcılığın en önemli merkezlerinden Bozcaada'daki şarap ve üzüm üreticileri zor duruma düştü.

Kuraklık fiyatı artırdı üretici inciri satmadı ihracatçı

Kuraklık fiyatı artırdı üretici inciri satmadı ihracatçı zor durumda

Yazar H. ÇİFÇİ
Çarşamba, 12 Eylül 2007
Kuraklıktan ötürü rekolte düşünce incir fiyatları yükselmeye başladı. Bundan faydalanmak isteyen üretici de ürününü beklenen zamanda piyasaya sunmayınca fiyatlar ikiyi katlandı. İhracatçı ise zor durumda. Bu sezon yaşanan kuraklık ve aşırı sıcaklar, kuru incirde rekolteyi ve kaliteyi etkilediği gibi ihracat hesaplarını da altüst etti.Düşük üretim miktarından dolayı fiyatların hızla yükseldiğini gören kuru incir üreticisi, piyasaya ürün arz etmeyince fiyatlar YTL bazında ikiye katlandı, ihracat sezonu gecikti.

Bahçe den Narenciye Satış

Türkiyenin en kaliteli ve ihracata en uyguın narenciye çeşitlerini bulabileceğiniz yöremizden satış. ...
Döğüşbelen Türkiye MuğlaAttn: İbrahim Ölemezph: 0 252 265 2309fax: cell: 0 537 652 89 98
iolemez@hotmail.com

Arşivden Haber...2006

Mersin'in Silifke ilçesi Turunçgil Üreticileri Birliği Başkanı Şahap Şimşekli, yörede narenciye ağaçlarının çiçek açma zamanı gelmesine karşın, satışa yapılamadığı için yaklaşık 1000 ton ürünün dalında çürümeye bırakıldığını belirttiŞimşekli, yaptığı açıklamada, satışların maliyeti karşılamaması ve iç piyasada tüketimin olmaması nedeniyle kış mevsiminin gözdesi narenciye ürünlerinin hasat maliyetinin bile karşılanamadığını vurguladı. Silifke ve çevresinde yaklaşık 1000 ton limonun dalında alıcı beklediğini ifade eden Şimşekli, şunları söyledi: ''Yeni sezon için çiçeklenme başladığı halde yetişmiş ürüne alıcı bulunmaması nedeniyle hasat yapılamıyor. Bu, çiftçi ve üreticiye büyük kayıplar getirecek. TBMM'de Narenciye Sorunları Araştırma Komisyonu kurulduğu halde narenciye üreticisi birliklerin görüşü alınmıyor.'' Şimşekli, limonun kilogram fiyatının dalında 10 YKr, portakalın 15 YKr, greyfurdun ise 20 YKr olduğunu buna rağmen alıcı bulamadıklarını anlattı. Şimşekli, Alata Araştırma Enstitüsü'nün de yıkılarak arazisinin turizm alanı ilan edilmesi çabalarının bölgede narenciye sektörünü önemli ölçüde olumsuz etkileyeceğini sözlerine ekledi.

Narenciye kayıt altına alınıyor..

12-Eylül-2007 Çarsamba- Haber Merkezi

Narenciye ürünlerinin kayıt altına alınması projesi kapsamında pilot bölge seçilen Mersin'de, kayıt çalışmalarına başlandığı bildirildi.
Pilot bölge Mersin'de narenciye üretiminin en yoğun olduğu Erdemli ilçesinde, yürütülecek çalışmalar konusunda bir toplantı düzenlendi. Toplantıda bir araya gelen İlçe Tarım Müdürü Berdan Tun, Ziraat Odası Başkanı Adnan Dölek, Erdemli Turunçgil Üreticileri Birliği (ERTUB) Başkanı Himmet Ali Önder ve Fidan Üreticileri Birliği (FUBER) Başkanı Nebi Bolat, ilçede narenciye bahçelerinin kayıt altına alınma çalışmalarına başlandığını bildirdi.
Narenciye bahçelerinin neden kayıt altına alınması gerektiği üzerinde duran İlçe Tarım Müdürü Tun, "Rusya en büyük narenciye alıcımızdır. Önceki yıllarda yapılan yaş meyve ve sebze ihracatında bazı üreticiler tarafından üretim esnasında tavsiye dışı ilaç kullanımı veya tavsiyeli olsa bile bazı ilaçların teknik tavsiyelerine riayet edilmediğinden kullanılmaları neticesinde yaş meyve ve sebze ihracatımız büyük darbe yemiş, fiyat düşüşleri olmuş, ihracat durma noktasına gelmiş ve üretici büyük sıkıntılar yaşamıştır" dedi.
Yaşanan olumsuzluğun acil tedbirlerle çözülmeye çalışıldığını, ancak yaş meyve ve sebzelerde hala pazarlama sorunları yaşandığını belirten Tun, "Kısa süreli önlemler olarak alınan acil tedbirler ve uygulamalar hem uygulaması ve kontrolü zor hem de pahalı olan uygulamalardır. Bu tedbirlerin uzun vadeli kalıcı çözümler getirecek, daha ekonomik ve güvenilir yöntemlerle sürdürülmesi gerekmektedir. Bu nedenle öncelikli olarak örtü altı sebze üretiminde Bakanlığımız tarafından kontrollü 'Örtü Altı Uygulamaları
Yönetmeliği' çıkarılmış ve uygulamaya konulmuştur" diye konuştu.
Uygulamalarla, insan sağlığı açısından potansiyel risk oluşturan her türlü zirai ilaç, bitki gelişim düzenleyici ve gübre kullanımının kontrol altına alınarak, izlenebilirliğinin sağlanacağını ifade eden Tun, şunları söyledi:
"Ürün pazara sunulmadan, daha hasat aşamasında var ise olumsuz uygulamaların bertaraf edilmesini sağlayacaktır. Herhangi bir şekilde pazara sunulsa bile denetimler neticesinde uygun olmayan şartları taşıyan ürünün üreticisine ulaşılabilecek ve yetiştirme esnasındaki uygulamalar görülebilecektir. Üretici hakkında ceza işlemi yapılacağı gibi ürün pazardan çekilecek, imhası yapılacaktır."
Türkiye'de yetiştirilen ürünlerin dış pazarda adını kötüye çıkaran uygulamaların önüne geçileceğinin altını çizen Ziraat Odası Başkanı Adnan Dölek de, "Alıcı ülkelerde rekabeti artırarak, güveni artırarak, rekabet gücümüzü zayıflatan ve fiyat yönünden dezavantaj oluşturan şartları tekrar lehimize dönüştürmek amacıyla en önemli ihraç ürünlerimizden olan narenciye üretimi yapılan bahçelerimizi kayıt altına alma uygulamalarına başlamış bulunuyoruz" dedi.
Kayıt sisteminin sadece izlenebilirliğini sağlamak ve olumsuz uygulamaları önlemek suretiyle narenciye üreticilerine artı değer getirmekle kalmayacağını belirten ERTUB Başkanı Himmet Ali Önder ise, "Tam olarak üretici sayımızı, üretim alanını, tür ve çeşit bazında üretim miktarımızı, hangi tür ve çeşidin ne zaman ve ne kadar istihsal edileceği gibi detay bilgileri de sağlayacaktır. Bu da üretim planlaması ve pazarlamasında, ilgili kurumlarımızın daha gerçekçi bilgilerle vaktinde ve daha etkin tedbirler almasında, talebe dönük ürün deseni oluşturulmasında çok büyük yararlar sağlayacak ve bundan doğacak artı değerler direkt üreticimize yansıyacaktır" diye konuştu.
Toplantıda, üretici kayıt defterinin ileriki günlerde üreticilere tanıtılacağı kaydedildi.