Author: Timothy Wahome (Timothy Wahome)

Arabica
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Global coffee prices hit a multi-decade point of no return

Originally posted on December 2, 2024. Global coffee prices have in late November 2024 soared to $3.3545 a pound for Arabica, the highest since March 1977, following weather concerns in Brazil.  Meanwhile, Robusta prices have been at a four-decade high since September 2024 due to supply pressure in Vietnam. Despite falling to $3.181 a pound on November 29...

Turkey production in Minnesota brings cheap holiday repast 
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Turkey production in Minnesota brings cheap holiday repast 

Originally posted on December 2, 2024. 2024 has been a bountiful year for American turkey production with top producer Minnesota rearing 34 million birds, leading to an affordable Thanksgiving. Turkeys are the main source of meat for the traditional holiday that takes place each final Thursday of November.  A 15-pound bird cost $35.30 in the state...

The South African cherry industry optimistic despite frost: “we are marketing our early cherry varieties in a favourable window” 
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The South African cherry industry optimistic despite frost: “we are marketing our early cherry varieties in a favourable window” 

Originally posted on November 29, 2024. The South African cherry sector foresees a bright future that espouses export market growth in spite of recent frost challenges. Although the sector is in its infancy, it has shown remarkable resilience against weather drawbacks. Besides, researchers peg its growth rate at 89% by 2026. And according to Tru-Cape Marketing, exports to China could...

Brazil sugarcane
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Sugar in mixed pricing territory as production wavers in southern Brazil 

Originally posted on November 14, 2024. Global sugar prices have finished mixed after recent lows, following reports of downward late October harvest in southern Brazil. Sugar #11 or raw cane sugar traded 0.61% up day-on-day in New York’s futures on November 13, 2024. This is even as sugar #5, the code for white sugar, moved downward on the same...

Sugar Price Index 2.6% up amid Brazil’s weather uncertainty
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Sugar Price Index 2.6% up amid Brazil’s weather uncertainty

Originally posted on November 19, 2024. Global sugar prices increased by 2.6% in October 2024 due to weather uncertainty in Brazil, inching up the monthly Sugar Price Index.  According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the index for the sweetener increased by 3.3 points month-on-month to 129.6 points. The value appreciated in tandem with that of cereals...

red peaches
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Peach, nectarine and cherry production to rebound in the 2024-25 American season

The U.S.’ peach, nectarine and cherry production is back in the black for the 2024-25 season. While peaches and nectarines will up by 15,000 tonnes, cherries will improve by 13,000 tonnes year-on-year (y-o-y).  According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in a September 2024 forecast, the 2024-25 peach and nectarine harvest will amount to 669,000...

US pecans
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The 2024 American pecans harvest begins in southern states

The American pecans harvest for the 2024 season began in the southern states on October 20 and will run till late November.  Despite the effect of Hurricane Helene, Georgia’s early harvest was yielding robustly at a minimum 42% and a maximum 57% meat yield per nut.  This shows resilience since Helene wrecked 90% of pecan trees in eastern Georgia’s...

Cup of Coffee
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Mushroom coffee all the rage for potential health benefits

Advocates of the increasingly popular mushroom coffee are citing its potential health benefits, not least of all Megan, Duchess of Sussex. Since 2020, tens of brands have emerged, each with a unique name that distantly echoes the medicinal qualities of the content. It costs around $20 for a few servings while regular coffee in the U.S. costs less, but its content...

The fruit industry in South Africa hopeful despite port delays
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The fruit industry in South Africa hopeful despite port delays

South Africa is headed to growth in its fruit industry in the next half decade, says Anton Rabe, Executive Director at Hortgro. Speaking on a visit to Tru-Cape, the executive cites agricultural value chain contribution to national economic growth. This aligns with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s forecast of 7% growth in South Africa’s apple production alone....

Apple picking picks up in the U.S.’ northeast 
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Apple picking picks up in the U.S.’ northeast 

From the orchards of Rhode Island to the scenic ones of Peru in New York, the northeast is tailing off its apple picking with a bang. This is even as Georgia rallies the southern U.S. harvest with “you pick” offers.  The east coast is trying to beat the odds and finish its harvest before the...