FRUIT AND VEGETABLE NEWS
South Africa boosts avocado exports as production rises
South Africa’s avocado industry expects to export around 22 million 4-kg cartons this season. The increase is linked to new plantings and favourable weather conditions that supported crop development
Nine out of ten lemons consumed in Europe are Spanish this season
The 2025/2026 Spanish Fino lemon season is approaching its end before giving way to the first harvests of the Verna variety, which will run from April until the end of June, with a crop forecast between 25% and 30% lower than last year
EU launches new AI system to tackle food fraud and safety alerts
The European Commission has unveiled a new artificial intelligence (AI) platform, TraceMap, to accelerate the detection of food fraud, contaminated food and foodborne disease outbreaks across the EU
Potato acreage must decrease: the sector needs a medium-term strategy
The NEPG (North-Western European Potato Growers) has reiterated the need to reduce potato acreage in north-western Europe. According to the organisation, any adjustments made by growers must remain economically viable, as producers should not be forced to produce and sell below their production costs
Fertiliser manufacturers guarantee short-term supply
Fertiliser manufacturers operating in Spain have confirmed that they currently have sufficient stock to supply farmers, although they remain concerned about the potential impact of the conflict with Iran on the availability of key raw materials
Trump administration rules out refunding tariffs already collected
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency told a judge it cannot return the money collected from the reciprocal tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, which the Supreme Court recently declared illegal
Food Dialogues: a platform to address challenges in the agri-food chain
Freshfel Europe took part in the first “Food Dialogues” initiative of the European Commission under the leadership of Commissioner Hansen
Fyffes and Care International advance women’s leadership and economic empowerment
Fyffes announces strong six-month results from Partnership for Good programme, a collaboration between Trudi’s — Fyffes new consumer purpose-driven banana brand — and CARE International UK, with 108 business plans already developed by women in banana-growing communities
ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA heads to Bangkok for South East Asia Meet Up
•High-level conference and exclusive Golf Cup uniting industry leaders
Chile to ship 62.2 million boxes of table grapes worldwide
Chile’s table grape industry has released its fourth export estimate for the 2025/26 season, projecting total shipments of 62.2 million 8.2-kg boxes. The forecast, presented by the Chilean Table Grape Committee of Frutas de Chile, led by Executive Director Ignacio Caballero, is based on data from 67 exporting companies, representing 86% of last season’s export volume
Morocco reaches its highest lemon export volume in five seasons
After four consecutive years of decline, Morocco’s lemon sector has staged a significant turnaround in the 2024/25 campaign, driven by market diversification and a shift in its export calendar
Sormac debuts at IFE Manufacturing London
From 30 March to 1 April 2026, Sormac will make its debut at IFE Manufacturing London at Stand N517. The exhibition, part of Food, Drink & Hospitality Week and held at ExCeL London, focuses on food production and supply chain solutions across the UK market