ISSUE 39: APRIL 2018 www.itfnet.org
TFNet Newsfeed Archive
  
     
   
               

 		  
     
 

TROPED 2018 UPDATE: Abstract submission deadline extended!

We are pleased to inform everyone that the deadline for abstracts has been extended to 29 June 2018. For more information and updates on TROPED 2018, visit itfnet.org/troped2018 		 
               
   
             
     

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 & 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
 
         
 

Vacancy post: Chief Executive Officer

The International Tropical Fruits Network (TFNet) is seeking for candidates with outstanding managerial and technical expertise, for the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Deadline for application is 16th July 2018.

      
             
       
           
 

Deadline for abstracts for the 6th International Horticultural Forum extended to June 15

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

    

CABI to setup a plant clinic during TROPED 2018

CABI is conducting a live demonstration of a plant clinic during TROPED 2018. We are inviting farmers and extension workers to join for free!

 
               
       
           
 

Indonesia to host 2018 International Symposia on Horticulture

The 2018 International Symposia on Horticulture (ISH2018) will be held in Bali, Indonesia on 27-30 November 2018, organized by the Indonesian Center for Horticulture Research and Development (ICHORD).

    

International Jackfest 2018 to focus on product development and marketing

The International Symposium on Technology Intervention for Effective Utilization and Marketing of Jackfruit (Jackfest 2018) will be held in Kerala Agriculture University (KAU), Kerala, India on 9-15 July 2018, organized by Department of Agriculture Development & Farmers’ Welfare and KAU.

  
               
 
NEWS FROM TFNet MEMBER COUNTRIES
 
   
               
VIETNAM: Rambutan exports to New Zealand will start soon MALAYSIA: Choosing between oil palm and durian trees

Vietnam has been given the green light to start exporting rambutans to New Zealand, according to Ambassador Wendy Matthews.


As smallholders contemplate the overdue replanting of old oil palm trees, some estates may well become Musang King durian plantations because of its commanding astronomical prices in China.
AUSTRALIA: Summer mango fruit fly incursions lead to tougher SA import restrictions BANGLADESH: BARI successfully develops year-round dragon fruit
South Australia has strengthened its import requirements, following the discovery of fruit fly larvae in four consignments of Queensland mangoes sent to South Australia during the summer harvest, which threatened its fruit fly-free status. Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) has recently successfully developed year-round dragon fruit in the country by using artificial lighting.
PHILIPPINES: Zambales’ Dinamulag festival celebrates mango INDIA: Two tonnes of artificially ripened papaya fruits destroyed
The week-long festival of Zambales province’s most popular produce – mangoes – was celebrated from April 14-17 as provincial officials formally opened the annual Dinamulag Mango Festival. The Food Safety department seized and destroyed 2.5 tonnes of artificially ripened fruits from the wholesale fruits market in Koyambedu.
INDONESIA: China-US trade war to affect exports, including mangosteens AUSTRALIA: Could mango season now stretch into the cooler months too?
A China-United States trade war will affect Indonesia's exports, Head of the International Relations Department, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, University of Indonesia (FISIP UI) Evi Fitriani said. Mangoes are fruits typically associated with tropical climates and summer months, but a Western Australian farmer is proving that wrong.
SAUDI ARABIA: Jazan recognized for its 60 mango varieties NIGERIA: Why is date palm production lagging?
The Jazan region will be granted a geographical indication for mangoes grown there. A geographical indication (GI) is a name or sign used on products which corresponds to a specific geographical location or origin. Globally, Nigeria is the only country where date palms have two harvesting seasons in a year. However, despite this advantage, production can only supply 20% of the demand.
AUSTRALIA: Hundreds evacuated a college library, fearing a gas leak. It was a durian. INDIA: Banana Fusarium Wilt has spread to Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat

Add “cause for a university evacuation in Australia” to the long list of reasons that durian may be the world’s most maligned fruit.

 Tropical Race 4 (TR4), the virulent strain of fungus Fusarium oxysporum cubense that is threatening banana crops globally with the Fusarium Wilt disease, has hit the plantations in India, the world’s top producer of the fruit.
 

 
 
OTHER TROPICAL FRUIT NEWS
 
   
               
THAILAND: 80,000 durians sold in 1 minute: Jack Ma displays magic of e-commerce     KENYA: How to produce export-worthy avocados

Thai durians sold like hot cakes in Thailand after Jack Ma showed the magic of e-commerce during his visit by selling 80,000 golden pillow durians on his online platform T-mall within one minute. With proper planning, it is easy to produce avocadoes for export. Farmers just need to produce good quality avocados, apply for certification, and forge the right partnerships.

MYANMAR: Fusarium Wilt has been detected in the country     USA: Hawaii's new facility would grow algae from papaya for feed, fuel

Banana Fusarium Wilt Tropical Race 4 (TR4) has now been detected in Myanmar for the first time, with links between TR4 strains found in China and the Philippines.

Farms in Hawaii could become “zero waste” if a state-funded demonstration project proves viable.

ECUADOR: Huge jump in dragon fruit exports SOUTH AFRICA: Record avocado exports expected in 2018

With their distinctive yellow color and a different flavor to the more common Southeast Asian varieties, Ecuadorian dragon fruit are taking the world by storm. South Africa is expecting a sharp uptick in avocado exports this season to record levels of 66,000 metric tons (MT), compared to 43,700MT last year.

COLOMBIA: Banana exports on the rise JAPAN: 'Egg of the Sun' mango - it's worth
USD 2,000		  

Colombia’s leading banana traders saw a USD 38.4m rise in exports in 2017 according to producer association Augura. In 2017, two mangoes sold at a Japanese wholesale auction for a record-breaking USD 3,744. What makes these mangoes so expensive?

USA: Mango cross-merchandising can boost sales STUDY: Bananas vs. sports drinks? Bananas win  

Even as mangoes move more into the mainstream for U.S. consumers, there are ways retailers can make consumers even more comfortable with the world’s most consumed fruit. A banana might reasonably replace sports drinks for those of us who rely on carbohydrates to fuel exercise and speed recovery, according to a new study comparing the cellular effects of carbohydrates consumed during sports.