Milk production in the United States was down by 69 million pounds (31.364 million liters) year-on-year in April 2024. This is even as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) forecasts higher overall production in 2024 than in 2023. At 19.1 billion pounds (8.682 billion liters), April’s national output also decreased from March 2024’s by 500 million pounds (227.3...
The May 2024 soft citrus season in South Africa is proving strong for naartjies and mandarins, whose production could hit 31.3 million cartons. This impressive yield estimate comes just six months after South Africa announced slightly higher citrus exports in 2023 than 2022’s. Leading the output will be Nardocott/Tango mandarins, whose 2024 volume will rise by 16%...
Kashmir’s strawberry harvest was underway May 21, 2024 at the prominent farming village of Gasso in Srinagar. Though this fruit valley in eastern Pakistan looks pleasant at harvest time, it nevertheless promises low yields due to earlier unfavorable weather. Like in 2023, unpredictable rain and untimely April chill already point to yet another diminished production year in...
The celebrated three-week paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) fishing season in North Dakota has ended, to protect the local fisheries. The harvest period lasted between May 1 and 15, after which followed a snagging and releasing week ending May 21, 2024. Fishermen have not yet divulged the sizes of their catches to compare with recent weight records. So far, the largest...
Coronation town in east-Central Alberta is installing a 12-megawatt (MW) DC solar farm, courtesy of Maple Leaf Green World Inc. According to the company’s press release, Maple Leaf Green World has leased multiple acres of underutilized land in Coronation for the solar farm. While the town will earn tax and lease revenue from the installation, farmers will access...
Orange production in Brazil could plummet to almost the 1988-89 season’s low levels owing to greening disease’s effect on orange groves. Accordingly, the orange states of Sao Paulo and Minas Gerais might harvest 233.38 million 40.8 kg bags (9.73 million tonnes). This will be 24.4% below the 2023-24 period’s output and only better than the 1988-89 levels. The projection...
Tomato prices in China are up by at least 10 Yuan ($1.38) per 36 kg box amid a low early harvest. This is happening even as China expects the volume of processed tomatoes in 2024 to rise above 2023 volumes to 11 million tonnes. Despite these appetizing estimates, so far the early harvest quantity in May is at...
Since April 26, 2024, the yearly Saudi mango festival has been showcasing tens of varieties in Jazan and Al-Qunfudah areas. The key varieties under showcase are popular within and outside Saudi Arabia, including Tommy Atkins, Langra and Sensation. Most farmers’ showcases have been taking place in Mecca region’s Al-Qunfudah near the Red Sea, which produces 50% of national mangoes. Despite...
Global coffee prices improved week-on-week on May 20, 2024 on falling supplies due to low rain in Brazil and Vietnam. The futures markets registered a top price of $2.09 per pound against $2.08 a pound in the foregoing week. A week earlier on May 6, prices had hit $2.04 per pound from April highs, but spiked by 1.96%...
The announcement of the 2024 World Food Prize has renewed interest in global crop profiles in the background of climate change. On May 9, the U.S. Department of State awarded the prize to Dr. Geoffrey Hawtin OBE and Dr. Cary Fowler, who are behind the 1.25 million seed-strong “Doomsday Vault.” The “Doomsday Vault” rests 150 m inside a mountain...