From his influential Strengthening Our Investment in Land (SOIL) to the Land Stewardship Project, Tim Walz has entrenched himself in climate. His climatic connection has recently ballooned after he became Kamala Harris’ choice for vice president in the November 2024 U.S.’ presidential poll. As governor of Minnesota, Walz has also benefited small-scale farmers through federal loans for farming, equipment purchases and...
Tomatoes cost less in Pune as supplies rally
Residents of Pune, in Maharashtra, Western India are heaving a sigh of relief now that tomatoes cost cheaper than before, as supplies rebound. By August 13, 2024, fresh supplies in Pune’s Narayangaon market had more than doubled from 12,000 crates to over 30,000 crates. Even the retailers lowered their prices from 100 rupees ($1.19) a kg to 60 rupees ($0.71) a kg minimum. Wholesale...
Maximum residue levels for vegetables getting stricter, says Vietnam
The European Union (EU) is reducing the maximum residue levels (MRL) for various vegetables applicable to Vietnam, reports Nongnghiep. Vietnam is one of the heavy duty users of pesticides globally and Vietnamese produce is frequently under EU inspections. In the proposal that SPS Vietnam Office sent to the Plant Protection Department (NPP), some vegetables are particularly under strict control. The EU proposal, which...
Pears from South Africa make it big in India
India has matured into a tropical fresh fruit consumer market and nowhere is this more manifest than in the country’s love for pears from South Africa. Speaking at the yearly IFPA Southern Africa, Shubha Rawal of fruit importer IG International, noted India’s overwhelming reliance on South Africa supplies. In an Agrifocus Africa story of August 12, 2024, Rawal said that “South African pears...
Food in Croatia 22% costlier than EU average, attracts imports
Despite recent agricultural growth, food in Croatia is dearer than the European Union (EU) mean and this is encouraging cheap imports. Research on over 2,000 foods and services across Europe now puts prices in Croatia at 22% above the EU bloc’s average. According to Total-Croatia News on August 10, 2024, families in the southeast European country allocate high budgetary allocation to food. Ana...
SmartMAK developing AI Integration into food processing machines
As the world population grows and food demand increases, food processing technology is turning to Artificial Intelligence (AI) to predict production and improve sustainably. AI is also helping food processing machines in controlling the drying process of packaged food. Besides, AI integration in cleaning, packing, sorting and grading are all gaining traction. The food processing industry is therefore increasingly acquiring machines with AI features...
Why are prices of olive oil so high in Australia?
It might be the middle of Australia’s March-September olive season. but consumers here are ruing doubling prices of olive oil. Customers say that branded 750 ml olive oil that cost A$12 ($7.87) in 2021 has risen to A$24 ($15.74) in 2024. Likewise, premium bottled brands have shot up in price by 44.3% from 2023 to date, from A$18 ($11.80) to A$26 ($17.05). In...
The Florida main season begins with lobster dive flags advisories
Lobster fishing on the Gulf Coast of the United States is in full gear after the Florida main season began August 6, 2024. Given its lengthy period ending March 31, 2025, the season is eliciting dive flag advisories similar to those from the outgoing mini-season. A dive flag is a bright colored cloth that fishermen raise on a boat to indicate nearby scuba diving...
The Sicily drought spotlights the region’s main produce
Sicily, home to livestock, olives and such Sicilian diets as wild fennel, has been battling drought effects for months. Though this has prompted Italy to declare a regional emergency, the region is still an agricultural center. First of all there are the region’s cattle riches which constitute 6% of Italy’s total cattle production in a good year. A case in point was 1999...
How economic recession could impact American farming income
American stocks fell by 6% between July 31 and August 5, 2024, triggering trade fears of a looming economic recession. This could therefore be a good time for farmers in the United States to contemplate how historical recessions have impacted their income. In the current scenario, Standard & Poor 500 (S&P 500) was the first to report the sudden 6% drop in...