MALAYSIA: MARDI works to protect diversity of fruit crops

As farmers focus on growing only the best cultivars for maximum yield, the challenge lies in the hands of the Malaysian Agricultural Research And Development Institute (MARDI) to stimulate research and conservation work to sustain diversity of these crops, and to ensure that a wealth of genetic resources exist for breeding quality and high-performing varieties.

AUSTRALIA: Task force created to combat Fusarium Wilt in bananas

A new taskforce and extra staff will work to contain the threat of an outbreak of Panama disease in Queensland's far north.

CHINA: Fruit imports grow 23 percent

China's direct fresh fruit imports increased 22.8 per cent to 3.3m tonnes in 2014 compared to the previous year, according to figures released by China Customs.

FIJI: Papaya export down

The papaya export sector has been affected by pests, wet weather and increased local demand, says Nature's Way Co-operative Ltd CEO Michael Brown.

INDIA: Machine for cleaning tamarind developed

The Tamil Nadu Agricultural University – Agricultural Engineering College and Research Institute has developed a new equipment for cleaning raw tamarind of seed as part of value-addition in marketing the produce.

INDIA: Value addition gives jackfruit an image makeover

Use of food technology and value addition has brought in a new-found acceptance for this miracle fruit with diverse jackfruit (JF) products available off the shelf across retail stores.

NIGERIA: Why mango, guava leaves cure diarrhea

Use of traditional medicine to combat the consequences of diarrhea has been emphasized by World Health Organization (WHO) in its Diarrhea Control Programme, thus the importance of identifying and evaluating available natural alternatives.

INDIA: Apeda seeks commitment on mango exports to Japan

With mango exports to Japan falling in the past three years, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda) has sought a commitment on the quantity from potential shippers.

PHILIPPINES: Gov’t, private sector team up to manage banana diseases

A joint government-private sector initiative called Protect and Modernize the Philippine Banana Production Project has been launched to further boost the export sector in time for the economic integration of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

AUSTRALIA: Fruit exporters say technical barriers to trade in Asia costs billions of dollars

Australia's domestic fruit and vegetable market is oversupplied, and there is a growing list of Asian countries that have stopped importing because of pests and diseases.

INDIA: Mango prices to go up as EU lifts ban

EU had imposed a temporary ban on Indian fruits and vegetables on May 1, 2014, when its trade authorities in Brussels found 207 consignments from India infested with fruit flies. On February 12 this year, EU announced lifting the ban on Indian mangoes.

AUSTRALIA: Northern Territory banana plantation weathers storm as Cyclone Lam veers away

Bruce Patterson estimates five to six per cent of his trees at the plantation at Yirrkala, near Nhulunbuy in north east Arnhem Land, have been blown over.

AUSTRALIA: Cyclone-hit pineapples left in the mud

Pineapple pickers are working through fields in central Queensland, but much of the fruit they are harvesting will not end up in market stalls or in cans. Most of it is being thrown in the mud.

PHILIPPINES: Remove import tariffs on bananas

Japanese banana importers have recently lobbied for the elimination of import tariffs on Philippine bananas being exported to Japan, an executive from the Philippine Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA) said.

AUSTRALIA: US trade could ease bumper lychee season

The back end of the season comes as America opens its doors to Australian lychees. This fruit is now expected to overlap with other growing regions until late February, spurred on by ideal weather conditions.

INDONESIA: Planning to export fresh fruits to New Zealand

Authorities agreed to increase Indonesian exports of fresh fruits, such as mangosteen, salak and mango, while at the same time working to improve the breeding of New Zealand cattle.

VIETNAM: Toxic kumquats highlight Vietnam’s pesticide problem

Kumquat growers say that to make a profit they need to sell unblemished fruit, which is difficult to achieve without the liberal use of insecticides and fertilizers.

USA: Peru looming, California avocado shippers start early

With Peru expected to ship considerably more fruit this summer, many California avocado shippers will ship more early to take advantage of spring markets.

MOZAMBIQUE: Firm exports 3,000 tonnes of bananas to South Africa

A firm in Guija in Mozambique's southern Gaza province has exported 3,000 tonnes of bananas to the South African market, according to state radio on Tuesday. Radio Mozambique said the fruit has earned up to US$1 million for the African Food Company based in Chongoene.

COLOMBIA: Link discovered between guava smell and weevil pest

Researchers from the Universidad Nacional de Colombia (UNC) have discovered a link between the pheromones of the guava weevil and the smell of the fruit, paving the way for a new alternative method of pest control.

COSTA RICA: First carbon-neutral banana company recognized

Finca San Pablo shrunk its carbon footprint mainly by reducing its use of nitrogen-based fertilizers in favor of natural ones; reducing electricity consumption in its packing facility; and improving efficiency in transporting its product to the port in Limón.

MEXICO: Innovative technology to keep mangoes in excellent condition

Researchers at the University of Guanajuato (UGTO), in the center of Mexico, designed a prototype pasteurization machine and a procedures manual to keep products in excellent condition after harvest.

JAMAICA: $1.4 mn allocated to revitalize banana industry

The government said in a statement that starting April 1, one square mile of land (381 hectares) will be planted with the fruit and support will be provided to farmers in the area.

MYANMAR: Melon market bounces back

See-sawing melon prices are on the up again, thanks to a combination of falling production and rising demand in advance of the Chinese New Year.

ZAMBIA: Mongu to get mango processing plant

Under Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) the value chain clusters programme, Adastra Fruit Juice Processors is expected to create 20 jobs in the initial stage of the establishment of a mango juice processing plant.

PAKISTAN: Gearing up for mango exports

With the mango season only a few months away, Pakistan is working towards maximising its exports to the European market, aiming to increase the number by more than 40% over the previous year.

SPAIN: Winds damage avocado and banana crops

Damage to agriculture caused by strong winds last weekend have been estimated at 70% for avocado crops and at 50% for bananas in some areas of the Canary Islands.