ISSUE 38: MARCH 2018 www.itfnet.org
TFNet Newsfeed Archive
     
   
               

 		  
 

TROPED 2018 releases second announcement, including keynote speakers

We are inviting you to attend the International Conference on Tropical Fruits Pests and Diseases (TROPED 2018) on 25-27 September 2018 at the Le Meridien Hotel, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.		  
               
   
               

 		    

Upcoming TFNet Events

  1. International Conference on Tropical Fruits Pests and Diseases (TROPED 2018)
    Date: 25-27 September 2018
    Venue: Le Meridien, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
  2. 7th Session of the TFNet General Assembly
    Date: October 2018
    Venue: TBA
Other Events
  1. 6th International Trade Show for Horticultural and Floricultural Production and Processing Technology
    Date: 22 August 2018
    Venue: BITEC, Bangkok, Thailand
  2. Indonesian International Symposia on Horticulture
    Date: 27-30 November 2018
    Venue: Kuta, Bali, Indonesia
 
 

TFNet bids farewell to Dr. Desa Hassim

The TFNet Secretariat, TFNet Board Members, and all members would like to express their gratitude and thanks for Dr. Desa Hassim in his efforts and contributions to sustain and improve the Network during his tenure from 2015-2018.

      
               

     
 

Thailand to host horticultural forum on production and processing technology

The International Horticultural Forum: 6th International Trade Show for Horticultural and Floricultural Production and Processing Technology will be held in BITEC, Bangkok, Thailand on 22 August 2018. 

KEYNOTE SPEAKER PROFILE: Dr. Randy Christopher Ploetz

We are pleased to present the first Keynote Speaker for the International Conference on Tropical Fruit Pests and Diseases (TROPED 2018) to be held on 25-27 September 2017 in Le Meridien, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.

  
               
 
NEWS FROM TFNet MEMBER COUNTRIES
 
   
               
PHILIPPINES: Tadeco launches lab services for banana farmers, exporters MALAYSIA: Sarawak sends maiden shipment of durian paste to China

In a bid to help improve the banana industry in Davao Region, the Tagum Agricultural Development Company, Inc. (Tadeco), a subsidiary of the Anflo Group of Companies, launched its Agro-Technology Outreach Program Monday, March 12. Sarawak, through local fruits exporter Top Fruits Sdn Bhd, made its first-ever shipment of frozen durian paste to China today, sending 16 tonnes to what is becoming a voracious market for the king of fruits.

BANGLADESH: Watermelons before time VIETNAM: Seminar talks fruit, veg exports

Two unlikely men in southeast Bangladesh are bending the rules and harvesting watermelons before summer heats up. Việt Nam’s fruit and vegetable exports are expected to top US$4.5 billion by 2020, with fruits accounting for $3.6 billion, according to the Crop Production Department.

PHILIPPINES: Luzon mango production falls by 70 percent AUSTRALIA: Banana prices expected to rise following north Queensland floods

Unless cecid flies were wiped out soon, mango production in all of Luzon would continue to plummet and the industry headed for collapse, a mango industry leader in Pangasinan province said. Flood damage on banana farms in north Queensland — Australia’s largest growing area — is expected to lead to reduced supply and a rise in prices.

CHINA: Peruvian flame mangoes a welcome arrival INDIA: Low yield, but better quality mangoes expected this year

Leading Peruvian supplier Camposol has teamed up with Dole China to introduce a line of Kent mangoes to the Chinese market.
 		Mango growers have suffered crop loss owing to untimely rain and the yield is expected to reduce by half.

INDONESIA: Mangoes, dragon fruit to enter Australian market BANGLADESH: Mango trees in full bloom

Indonesia will soon export mangoes and dragonfruit to Australia, a decision made during the 21st meeting of the Working Group on Agriculture, Food and Forestry Cooperation (WGAFFC) between Australia and Indonesia, held in Melbourne on Feb 14-15. Khagrachhari gardeners are eyeing a bumper production of mango this season as trees are in full bloom in every orchard in the district.

INDIA: Uttar Pradesh likely to have bumper mango harvest this year VIETNAM: Mekong Delta city expects to increase fruit exports

With conducive weather and alternate year for mango crop, the production of the fruit may increase by 10 to 15% in Uttar Pradesh. Orchards are in full bloom and flowering has been higher than last year.  Can Tho city in the Mekong Delta has called on companies to strengthen cooperation with local farmers in boosting the export of fruits, especially the city’s three key fruits of longan, star apple and mango.
 

 
 
OTHER TROPICAL FRUIT NEWS
 
   
               
STUDY: Scientists create melt-resistant ice cream using banana plant fibers STUDY: AI detects papaya ripeness

Scientists have found that adding tiny cellulose fibers extracted from banana plant rachis could slow down melting of ice cream. A machine learning algorithm for detecting ripeness levels in papaya fruit could help both shoppers and producers.

KENYA: Easy way to put money in mango farmers’ pockets STUDY: Bananas may protect against hearing loss, new research shows

Two centres have been established to be one-stop shops that showcase post-harvest technologies and innovations that farmers can adopt to reduce post-harvest losses. Emerging research shows key nutrients — including the potassium in bananas — can protect against age and environmental hearing loss while zinc protects against tinnitus.

TIPS: Protect watermelon plantings from wrath of Fusarium Wilt NEW ZEALAND: Late summer wet has tropical fruit thriving

Fusarium wilt of watermelon is common problem in Florida where resistant varieties are not used, but it might occur to some extent even when resistant varieties are used. Despite a lot of wet weather, New Zealand experienced the hottest summer on record leading to phenomenal growths for bananas and watermelons.

PERU: Sharp rise for avocado exports in 2017 BRAZIL: Mechanical harvesting of papayas might be a reality with computational technique  

Peru’s avocado exports soared in both volume and value during the 2017 season, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation. The researchers at FEA-UNICAMP, led by Sylvio Barbon, Jr., investigated the use of a portable sensor

SAMOA: Banana exports breakthrough ECUADOR: 2017 was their worst year for banana exports to the US  

Samoa can officially begin exporting fresh banana and plantains to New Zealand again.


 2017 was the lowest year in banana exports to the United States. In 2010, Ecuador sent 21.17% of its production to that country, but in 2017 sales to that market only accounted for 9.75% of its production.