Author: Timothy Wahome (Timothy Wahome)

A solar farm reduces climate emissions
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Maple Leaf Green World to bring farmers of Coronation, Canada “green pollution-free power”

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...

Brazil orange grove in Avaré
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Orange production in Brazil to retreat to 1988 levels 

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 shoot up on low early harvest
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Tomato prices in China shoot up on low early harvest

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...

Saudi mango festival showcases tens of varieties
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Saudi mango festival showcases tens of varieties

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...

World’s coffee prices rally on insufficient supplies
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World’s coffee prices rally on insufficient supplies

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%...

flaxseed
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How 1.25 million seeds varieties will stand the test of climate change

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...

California avocado season enters second month at 97.4 million pounds 
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California avocado season enters second month at 97.4 million pounds 

The ongoing California avocado season of April through June has hit an early milestone of 97,412,297 fruit pounds before May 12. According to the California Avocado Commission (CAC)’s forecast in January 2024, this season’s output will be 208 million pounds. This production will be a little lower than 2023’s 237 million pounds, due to extreme weather changes.  Interestingly,...

Fishing boats on Prince Edward Island
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P.E.I. lobster season underway with low prices

After a belated May 3, 2024 start, the Prince Edward Island (P.E.I.) lobster season is finally underway amid a  price depreciation. The delay owed to gushing seas with strong winds at 20 knots (37 km/hour) in late April and early May.  The late opening on May 3 coincided with Mothers Day holiday the following weekend, a time...

Lobster
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As Red Lobster closes down outlets, what are its most popular dishes?

Red Lobster, the affordable American seafood restaurant chain is closing tens of its outlets in the U.S. after reporting losses in quarter 3, 2023. The restaurant has over 750 venues globally but it remains quintessentially American. Most people associate the restaurant with seafood but it also sells various non-seafood offers.  While the company’s name evokes the obvious...

Why is Australia banning live sheep exports by sea?
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Why is Australia banning live sheep exports by sea?

Australia has set May 2028 as the final date for live sheep shipments by sea, to end animal welfare violations. Agriculture minister Murray Watt stated on May 11, 2024 that legislating the ban this early will provide sheep farmers “certainty.” To ensure certainty, the government is offering A$107 million ($71.40 million) to farmers to cope with the...