ISSUE 36: JANUARY 2018
 
   
   
   
 

TFNet to hold regional conference on tropical fruit pests and diseases in Sabah, Malaysia

The first Regional Conference on Tropical Fruits Pests and Diseases (TROPED 2018) will be held in Sabah, Malaysia on 25-27 September 2018, organized by the International Tropical Fruits Network (TFNet) and Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) with the support of the Malaysian Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry (MOA).

  
   
               
     

Upcoming TFNet Events

  1. International Symposium on Tropical Fruits 2018 (ISTF2018)
    Date: October 2018
    Venue: TBA
  2. 7th Session of the TFNet General Assembly
    Date: October 2018
    Venue: TBA
  3. Regional conference on tropical fruit diseases
    Date: September 2018
    Venue: East Malaysia

Other Tropical Fruit Events

  1. 4th International Symposium on Citrus Biotechnology
    Date: 16-18 April 2018
    Venue: Canelones, Uruguay
  2. 37th World Nut and Dried Fruit Congress
    Date: 21-23 May 2018
    Venue: Sevilla, Spain
  
 

ISTF2017 Proceedings now available!

The Proceedings for the 2017 International Symposium on Tropical Fruits (ISTF2017) is now available to download. ISTF2017 was held in Tanoa International Hotel, Nadi, Fiji on 23-25 October 2017, organized by the Fijian Ministry of Agriculture (MOA), International Tropical Fruits Network (TFNet), and Fiji Institute of Agricultural Sciences (FIAS), with support from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

      
               
       
 

TFNet welcomes BDS Publishing as new Associate Member

Burleigh Dodds Science (BDS) Publishing is a new “climate smart” publisher that builds a database of review chapters, each written by a leading expert, which systematically covers major crop varieties and each step in the value chain for their production: from breeding to harvest.

    

New book discusses how to achieve sustainable mango cultivation

Burleigh Dodds Science (BDS) Publishing, the newest Associate Member of TFNet, has released a book on “Achieving Sustainable Cultivation of Mangoes.” Check out our article to avail of the special discount for TFNet members.

 
               
       
 

TFNet and CABI to strengthen collaborations in 2018

International Tropical Fruits Network (TFNet) and Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI) held a meeting on 10 January 2018 at the TFNet headquarters to discuss possible collaborations on projects or activities.

    

LIFESTYLE: Delicious durian recipes

People say that durian is best eaten fresh. However, the creamy and bold flavors of the fruit shine when cooked in several dishes. From appetizers to desserts, here are three delicious ways to prepare durian.

 
               
   
               
 
NEWS FROM TFNet MEMBER COUNTRIES
 
   
               
 
PHILIPPINES: Cecid flies threaten Ilocos mango farms anew
     INDIA: Adverse climate likely to bring down mango yield  
         
  It is nearly the season of mangoes again but the association of mango growers and the provincial government are again concerned of cecid fly infestation here.     Mango cultivators in Malda are apprehending a drop in production in the summer because of the current cold weather and intense fog.  
               
  VIETNAM: Fruits of labor INDONESIA: Local dragon fruit a tasty treat for tourists  
   
  After nine years of negotiations, good news came to Vietnam’s agriculture sector in September when dragon fruit hit shelves in Australia, making the country the first to be licensed to export fresh dragon fruit to the stringent market. Banyuwangi in East Java is one of the nation’s main producers of dragon fruit, growing the fruit in a variety of ways, including organically, for tourists visiting the region.  
   
  MALAYSIA: Cold spell to affect pomelo harvest VIETNAM: First batch of star apples exported to the US  
   
  With the current cold spell and the incessant rain destroying flowers on pomelo trees, farmers fear that this may affect this year’s harvest. The first batch of Vietnamese star apples has been exported to the US by the Cat Tuong Agricultural Products Producing & Processing Co. Ltd. from the Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang.  
   
  INDIA: University develops fruit fly trap for different fruits SAUDI ARABIA: Food authority bans import of Egyptian guava  
       
  Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) developed a PAU Fruit Fly Trap — an eco-friendly technology for the management of fruit flies in kinnow, guava, mango, pear, peach, and plum. The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has decided to temporarily ban imports of fresh, frozen and manufactured guava from Egypt due to pesticide residues proved to be higher than the global limit.  
   
  MALAYSIA: After durian feast, Chinese envoy promises to promote Bentong to countrymen INDONESIA: Dragonfruit and rambutan season begins in Central Sulawesi  
   
  China’s new envoy to Malaysia Bai Tian was delighted by his trip to Bentong, Pahang yesterday and promised to promote the district as an eco-tourism spot to his fellow countrymen. Farmers in a number of villages in Parigi Moutong regency, Central Sulawesi, are currently entering the season for dragonfruit and rambutan.  
   
 
OTHER TROPICAL FRUIT NEWS
 
   
               
  CAMBODIA: Invasive fruit flies holding back mango exports     USA: Avocado sales to China could more than double this year, boosted by demand from the middle class  
               
  Mango shipments have been routinely blocked before making it to the international market, with the Ministry of Agriculture claiming the mangoes are not of a high enough quality to meet the sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) requirements necessary to ship outside of the Kingdom.     Avocado sales to China are expected to more than double this year as demand continues to grow for the fruit from the country’s expanding middle-class population.  
               
  KENYA: From broker to manufacturer – the juicy story of a fruits trader JAPAN: Banana with edible skin has been developed  
   
  Mercy Mwende setup up a company that dries the fruits and vegetables for the local and export markets. First there was the cocktail avocado from Spain, which had an edible skin. Now, meet the Mongee (pronounced “mon-gay”) banana from Japan, whose skin is also edible.  
               
  PERU: Banana exports to grow by at least 10% in three years USA: Hawaiian avocado certified world’s heaviest  
   
  The Lima Chamber of Commerce’s Foreign Trade Development and Research Institute (Idexcam) has forecast significant growth for Peru’s export banana sector. Guinness World Records confirmed this week that a Hawaii woman found the world’s heaviest avocado.  
   
  KENYA: Passion fruit farming set for better times ahead SINGAPORE: Durian-themed cafe smells winning combination  
       
  The prospects of passion fruit farming in Kenya could change for the better if plans to upgrade the fruit into a major horticultural crop are adopted by the Ministry of Agriculture. An eatery centred on the tropical fruit durian has caught a whiff of success as patrons flock to the cafe in droves for a bite of its exotic offerings.  
   
  STUDY: Drying and dehydration – solutions to address global food shortage NEW ZEALAND: Tropical Fruit Growers NZ membership soars  
       
  In the University of Nottingham Malaysia, a team of chemical and food engineers from the Food and Pharmaceutical Engineering Research Group are investigating drying and dehydration of various food materials using advance dryers. Tropical Fruit Growers of New Zealand membership has soared since a Northern Advocate report in March last year publicised the potential for profit in growing bananas, pineapples and other tropical plants in Northland and other warmer parts of New Zealand.