Florida’s orange production will rebound by 30% to 20.5 million boxes for the 2024 season opener, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). In the grain and crop report on January 12, 2024, USDA predicted increases for all three major citrus fruits including grapefruit and lemon. The rebound draws from reigning fair winter weather in the U.S.’ south and a lessening...
A firm in Germany unveils avocado-peeling robotic solution
A firm from Germany has invented a robotic avocado line that can pit, halve and peel 1000 avocados (Persea Americana) an hour. Kronen GmBH will unveil its “robot avocado line” at the Fruit Logistica, a showpiece of innovations in the produce industry. The event will start on February 7, 2024 in Berlin. In anticipation, the company explained its peeler-and-cutter system in a press release. ...
World Bank cites agriculture will propel Nigeria’s economy by 3%
Nigeria’s economy will experience a 3% growth rate thanks to agriculture, reports World Bank. The country will also recover its pre-Covid19 economic performance in 2025 by improving on the cited rate of growth. The 3% growth margin applies to the 2023-2024 financial year and will emanate from agriculture, construction and trade. By mid-2025, however, these two sectors will have revved the economy by 3.7%....
South Africa to resume avocado exports to Japan
After a hiatus over aseptic requirements, South Africa is set to resume hass avocado exports to Japan. The go-ahead call came after successful negotiations in November 2023. The news will bolster South Africa’s chances to expand its Asian market reach following an earlier avocado pact with China in 2023. Commenting on this new opportunity, Derek Donkin, CEO of South Africa’s Subtrop...
USDA grain boon shocker sinks corn, soybean prices
A January 12 grain yield estimate revision by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has slumped corn and soybean prices. On what is usually the most important grain market announcement each January, the 2024 USDA grain report caught traders unawares. Opposite to expectations of corn holding to the November projection of a record 15.23 billion bushels, the new estimate actually hiked yields. Likewise,...
Maine lobster fishing to adopt right whale traceability systems
Maine lobster fishermen will be mandated to install electronic trackers to help reduce the entrapment of the nearly decimated North Atlantic right whale. Some New England lobster harvesters have already reacted negatively to the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game Division (DMF)’s call. However, despite a pending court case on the matter, the enforcement is nevertheless ongoing. Supporting the tracker-installation move are lobster...
Gala apples account for 20% of Washington’s apple harvest
The Pacific northwest apple harvest in Washington ended November 2023, with the Pink Lady variety picked last. The latest comprehensive storage report in January 2024 shows that galas accounted for 20% of the total output. Gala apples enjoy the distinction of being the first to harvest in the Washington apple season around August each year. Thanks to hailstorm-free weather and mild...
“World’s loneliest sheep” becomes mental health ambassador: the larger perspective
At a time when UK sheep prices are increasing while the national flock is reducing, a new sheep sensation is in town. This is Fiona, an ewe dubbed the “world’s loneliest sheep” and now a mental health ambassador. After spending 24 months on the cliffs of Cromarty Firth, Scotland, the heavy-fleeced Fiona got rescued in November 2023. Braving 820 feet of rock to reach her,...
SATI set “to maintaining world-class export standards” for South Africa’s table grapes
South Africa’s table grape data for week 1, 2024 shows some 11% rise in inspected volumes and a 4% decrease in exports. At the heart of these figures are the South African Table Grape Industry (SATI) and the Perishable Products Export Control Board (PPECB). Both entities gun for “world class export standards.” Since 1926, PPECB has been insuring the competitiveness of local table...
Cambodia’s fresh banana exports among biggest agricultural exports despite 21% dip
Fresh banana exports from Cambodia reached 290,000 metric tonnes (MT) in the 2023 market year. Despite experiencing a decrease of 21% in total shipments year-on-year, bananas were still among the four biggest agricultural exports. Irrespective of the quantity drop, domestic prices are unaffected. Bananas in Phnom Penh were costing $1.83 per kg on January 10, 2024, with a bottom retail price of...