Fruit Today 103
EDITORIAL
Vulnerability
As we go to press, Spain’s Congress of Deputies has approved the long-awaited Food Waste Law—undoubtedly necessary, yet clearly lacking. It fails to consider one of the most critical stages of the chain: waste at the source, in the field
EVENTS
Infoagro Exhibition: The international fair for intensive production and auxiliary industry returns as the agricultural business Hub
The International Fair for Intensive Production and Auxiliary Industry, Infoagro Exhibition, will hold its fifth edition from May 21 to 23 at the Aguadulce Congress Center (Almería), reaffirming itself as the business hub for agricultural producers
PROFILE OF THE MONTH
SUSTAINABILITY
Westfalia Fruit: Total utilization of avocado
Natural dyes, paper, and cosmetics are some of the products that can be obtained through the complete utilization of avocado
Moyca: Pesticide and fungicide-free table grapes
Moyca, a table grape producer, has launched a project on two hectares of one of its farms in Caravaca de la Cruz (Murcia) to grow the Sweet Celebration variety without pesticide or fungicide residues
Agrobío breaks the pest cycle
The company protects crops with solutions like SWIRScontrol
AEBIG and AINIA promote biogas and biomethane production
Both entities have signed an agreement to promote research, knowledge transfer, and collaboration in strategic projects that support a more sustainable and efficient energy model
The SDGs, strategic pillars of the catalan company
Fruits de Ponent has been a pioneer in the sector as a standard-bearer of sustainability. Over a decade ago, it embraced the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through its commitment to the United Nations Global Compact
New transport system to reduce food waste
The Murcian association PROEXPORT joins the European SISTERS project to minimize food losses and waste across the entire supply chain
Sinclair: The most sustainable branding
The launch of compostable fruit labeling is carried out in collaboration with Zespri, the first adopter now transitioning its own labeling program
Verdifresh advances in sustainability through packaging
Verdifresh has implemented a comprehensive sustainability and eco-design strategy in its packaging materials
Zespri: Sustainability at the highest level
Zespri, one of the most advanced companies in terms of sustainability, currently has an annual investment of two million dollars through the Zespri Innovation Fund (ZAG)
MERCAMADRID
Asomafrut analyzes the wholesale channel to address future challenges
The Association of Wholesale Entrepreneurs of the Central Fruit Market of Madrid (Asomafrut) has launched a comprehensive analysis of the wholesale channel to identify its strengths and weaknesses in anticipation of the challenges posed by changing consumption habits
CMR expands Its commercialization volume
With expansion into new markets and distribution channels, CMR’s growth strategy necessitates increasing product volumes
Frutas E. Sánchez bets on innovation
Digitalization and artificial intelligence are shaping the future of Frutas E. Sánchez. Its commitment to innovation and adaptation to changing consumption trends strengthens its position in an increasingly competitive sector
Mercamadrid: Investments in modernization, sustainability, and innovation
Mercamadrid Ends 2024 with Investment Projects Totaling 14 Million Euros
SEEDS
BASF | Nunhems adds 5 ToBRFV-resistant varieties
The company strengthens its leadership with a strategy centered around the ‘Tomato Experience’
Vilmorin-Mikado strengthens Its portfolio with Faraday, Arquímedes, and Nazgul
The company expands its California pepper catalog with two yellow varieties and one red, all resistant to powdery mildew, nematodes, spotted wilt, and L4
Arkane convinces: “Everyone who tries it, comes back”
The key to the success of Top Seeds’ variety lies in its plant architecture and powerful root system
Syngenta strengthens its leadership in late california peppers
Kamado, Nordic, Spartanos, and Balcanes are the seed company’s new offerings for the late California pepper market
Syngenta grows with its commitment against New Delhi
In 2024, it captured more than 25% of the market share for greenhouse-grown zucchini in Almería, and this figure is expected to reach at least 50% by 2025
Bazuka, Trabuco, and Ariete: New weapons from Sur Seeds
The Almería-based company develops all its varieties locally, ensuring adaptation to regional conditions
Rijk Zwaan advances in pepper with new Lt-resistant genetics
The seed company has strengthened its R&D in this crop, developing new varieties that enhance both security and yield
Harmoniz sets out to conquer the late cycle
The company doubles down on positioning the California pepper varieties Bernabel and Bonáyar
Peppers lead the way at Semillas Fitó
With annual growth nearing 10% last season and revenue surpassing 20 million euros, pepper has become the main business unit at Semillas Fitó
Chopper: The first Almería cucumber variety with 6 resistances
Enza Zaden continues to innovate in cucumber cultivation with the addition of Chopper to its portfolio
HM.Clause: Peppers with resistance and quality
Its IÓN catalog offers red solutions such as Cesión, Ammon, and Serket, and yellow ones like Ilusión and Belenus
“This year, We’ve skyrocketed tomato sales”
Bayer grows market Sçshare in Murcia and expands in Seville with new beef tomato varieties resistant to ToBRFV
Bayer expands Its portfolio with Bultaco, Barreiros, and Brasero
Bayer strengthens its commitment to peppers with three Lamuyo and California varieties resistant to powdery mildew
Estefano and Octavius: Cluster and roma tomatoes resistant to ToBRFV
Yuksel Seeds introduces two tomato innovations with resistance to ToBRFV
MELON AND WATERMELON
Bayer launches four new melon varieties and a watermelon pollinator
Galves and Gallager strengthen the Cyro Line range, while a new Orange Candy variety and Acapella reinforce strategic segments in Spain and the French market
Watermelon: Almería’s season faces ‘serious difficulties’
Although COAG suggests that the province could surpass 10,000 hectares for the first time, the season is burdened by the effects of heavy rainfall
Agrícola Navarro de Haro boosts early production
The company has invested in 40 hectares of greenhouses in Carboneras and will reach 770 hectares of watermelon this year, further consolidating its presence across multiple regions
“Climate can cause variations of up to 15M Kg with the same acreage”
Pozo Sur Approaches the Season with a Steady Strategy and Minor Acreage Adjustments
Sormac presents its multiple technologies
Sormac, the leading Dutch manufacturer of fresh produce processing equipment, introduces its latest technological innovations to the market, along with a wide range of machinery for carrots, onions, peppers, melons, and many more
ASPARAGUS
Increased production and quality at Cesurca
The cooperative expects to increase its volumes by 10-15% in a harvest with larger sizes and higher quality
Los Gallombares: 30 years in asparagus
The cooperative celebrates its anniversary by reaching 2,500 ha and expanding into new markets in Japan and China
2025: Up to 15% more asparagus expected
The Green Asparagus Interprofessional Organization forecasts a production of 60M/K this season
POTATO
In search of ‘new-generation varieties’
After a year marked by a shortage of seed potatoes, conditions have slightly improved, but uncertainty persists
Meléndez: Origin, innovation, and international expansion
Patatas Meléndez continues to solidify its leadership through a strategy built on three core pillars: innovation, commitment to origin, and international growth
“The European phytosanitary authority has neglected the primary sector”
Although the potato sector has become more structured in recent years, with most production now under contract and a more advanced segmentation, it remains vulnerable due to the lack of phytosanitary products and the threat posed by imports from Egypt
The challenge of exporting in an uncertain economic landscape
Mallorcan potatoes, known for their early harvest and high quality, have traditionally been an export-oriented product with a strong presence in multiple European markets
Lázaro commits to double harvest
The Valencian company maintains a strong commitment to Spanish-origin potatoes throughout the year, with sustainability, in its three dimensions, as its defining feature
The potato sector has experienced four years of steady growth
The potato sector has experienced four years of steady growth
Lille will host the Europatat Congress
Under the theme “Future potato leaders: decision-making in times of uncertainty”, the Europatat Congress will serve once again as a pivotal platform for Europatat members and other stakeholders in the European potato sector
Patatas Beltrán: Innovation and commitment to Spanish-grown potatoes
Technological advancement is key to the growth of Patatas Beltrán, a company that has firmly invested in modernizing its facilities with state-of-the-art machinery
“We must boost Spanish agriculture and support Its farmers”
Spanish agriculture, and the potato sector in particular, face a major challenge: the lack of generational renewal
UDAPA boosts seed Potato production and expands fifth-Range offerings
The Alava-based cooperative UDAPA continues to execute its growth strategy, focusing on two key pillars for the future: strengthening seed potato production in partnership with the Dutch company HZPC and expanding its fifth-range product line through its subsidiary Paturpat
COMPANIES
Blue Whale revitalizes apple shelves
The French company Blue Whale, supported by some of the major retail operators, has implemented a unique category management strategy that has led to a more than 40% increase in apple sales in some of the stores it advises
Citrosol expands
Fruit Today magazine interviewed Inma Navarro, Technical-Commercial Director, and Javier Monzonis, Northern Zone Commercial Manager of the company
Neoforce® Soil: Innovation for soil protection and health
Fertiberia TECH has developed this new biostimulant to enhance and activate the plant’s defense mechanisms
Exirel: FMC’s new solution for thrips control
FMC reinforces its commitment to crop protection with the launch of Exirel, an innovative insecticide specifically formulated for thrips control in key crops like citrus, olives, and vines
Leanri: A mandarin variety advancing steadily
The meeting with growers in Alcanar (Tarragona) on February 19 confirmed the variety’s potential and reinforced its agronomic strategy
Senda: A new model for growers
Senda has emerged with an innovative approach to transforming how berry producers interact with the market
The avocado industry seeks Its ‘SuperHass’
The global avocado industry is actively searching for a new variety that surpasses the iconic Hass in efficiency, sustainability, and flavor
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