TFNet Newsfeed - International Tropical Fruits Network (TFNet)

ISSUE 43: JANUARY 2019

		NEW YEAR MESSAGE FROM TFNET On behalf of the TFNet Chairman and Board of Trustees, the Secretariat would like to thank all esteemed members, partners, and stakeholders for your fruitful cooperation in 2018. As we usher in the new year, TFNet as a global network will continue to strengthen its engagement with partners, members and industry stakeholders for the greater good of the tropical fruit industry. Have a fruitful 2019! (Click here to read the full message)



UPCOMING TFNET ACTIVITIES
UPCOMING TFNET ACTIVITIES

Seminar on pineapple Venue: Johor, Malaysia Date: April 2019 2019 International Symposium on Tropical Fruits Venue: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Date: July 2019 Workshop on Dragon Fruit Venue: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Date: August 2019 Workshop on Banana Fusarium Wilt Venue: Guangzhou, China Date: September 2019


TFNET NEWS HIGHLIGHTS IN 2018
TFNET NEWS HIGHLIGHTS IN 2018



TFNet holds first conference on tropical fruit pests and diseases The International Tropical Fruits Network (TFNet) organized the first International Conference on Tropical Fruit Pests and Diseases (TROPED 2018) at the Le Meridien, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia on 25-27 September 2018.		TFNet holds its 7th General Assembly in Sabah, Malaysia The 7th General Assembly (GA) of the International Tropical Fruits Network (TFNet) was held in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia on 24 September 2018, a day before the TFNet-led International Conference on Tropical Fruit Pests and Diseases (TROPED 2018).



IN PHOTOS: TROPED 2018 Field Trip A field trip to various interesting spots in Sabah, Malaysia was conducted on 27 September 2018 for the participants of the International Conference on Tropical Fruit Pests and Diseases (TROPED 2018).		ISH 2018 in Bali, Indonesia highlights recent developments in fruits and other crops Topics ranging from strategic directions to increasing production and productivity were discussed during the International Symposia on Horticulture (ISH) held in Bali, Indonesia on 27-30 November 2018.



TFNet welcomes Dato’ Mohd Sallehhuddin bin Hassan We would like to congratulate H.E. Dato’ Mohd Sallehhuddin bin Hassan for his appointment as the new Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry (MOA) Malaysia. As Secretary General of MOA, Dato' Sallehhuddin is also the Chairperson of the TFNet Board of Trustees.		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 May 2015 - March 2018. Technical Officer Ms. Dorothy Chandrabalan has assumed the duty of Acting CEO until a new one is appointed.



Mr. Yacob Ahmad returns as TFNet Advisor The Secretariat welcomes former CEO Mr. Yacob Ahmad who was appointed by the TFNet Board of Trustees (BOT) as Advisor for May 2018 - May 2019. With his wealth of experience, the BOT is confident that Mr. Yacob will help run TFNet smoothly and successfully.		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.



TFNet and CABI to strengthen collaborations International Tropical Fruits Network (TFNet) and Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI) held several discussions throughout 2018 on possible collaborations on projects or activities. TFNet also welcomed CABI CEO Trevor Nicholls and Global Director for Trade and Commodities Dr. Julie Flood.		Thank you Mr. Robert "Bob" Williams TFNet would like to sincerely thank Mr. Robert Williams for his contributions as the Australian representative and Internal Auditor of TFNet from 2012-2018.



TFNet thanks Dr. Hannah Jaenicke We would like to express our deepest gratitude to Dr. Hannah Jaenicke for serving as an expert member of the TFNet Board of Trustees from 2015-2018.		Proceedings now available for ISTF held in Fiji The Proceedings for the 2017 International Symposium on Tropical Fruits (ISTF2017) is now available for download.

SELECTED FEATURE ARTICLES
SELECTED FEATURE ARTICLES



TECHNICAL OP-ED: Durian cultivation faces serious threat from disease caused by Phytophtora sp. With the surge in popularity of durian, producing countries face the threat of reduced yields from diseases caused by Phytophtora sp. In this article, Mr. Yacob Ahmad discusses management options for durian patch canker.		Malaysia explores the market potential for Josapine pineapple in the Middle East In an effort to enhance the export market and complement current exported varieties such as N36 and MD2 to the Middle East, the Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board (MPIB) is promoting Josapine.



Talaad Thai – biggest wholesale market for agricultural products in South East Asia Talaad Thai is the biggest wholesale market for agricultural products in Thailand. Built on an area totalling about 80 hectares, the collection and distribution centre is situated about 60 km north of capital Bangkok.		Sabah sets sight as major tropical fruit producer in the region With the potential market of fruits in the region due to increase in incomes and expanding middle class, notably in China, Sabah is looking at the prospects of expanding its fruit growing areas especially for superior durian and pineapple cultivars.

TROPICAL FRUIT NEWS HIGHLIGHTS IN 2018
TROPICAL FRUIT NEWS HIGHLIGHTS IN 2018

BANANA

	PHILIPPINES: Banana industry seeks greater market access in South Korea		INDIA: Banana Fusarium Wilt has spread to Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat

Philippines is considering a preferential trade agreement with South Korea to ease access for its banana exports, or may seek to include provisions for banana exports in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) free trade agreement.		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.

	SINGAPORE: Banana prices rising but farmers not reaping rewards		RESEARCH: Bananas grown without soil for first time in effort to curb deadly disease

The price of Cavendish bananas have increased by 25% in the past three years. However, farmers are not being compensated.		The world’s first crop of bananas grown without soil was harvested as part of an effort to stem the spread of a deadly fungus that threatens the future of the fruit.


MANGO

	AUSTRALIA: Mango peel could help clean up oil contamination, research finds		KENYA: Mango farmers seek creative ways to trap destructive fruit flies

Mango peel could be used to break down oil sludge, according to new research. University of South Australia researcher Biruck Desalegn Yirsaw has proven an extract of the fruit’s peel can be used to “synthesize” the material that can break down contaminated soil.		A team of Kenyan university graduates who recently completed a one-year training in Israel are empowering locals with knowledge on biological methods Israeli mango farmers use to tame destructive fruit flies.

	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.


PINEAPPLE

	PHILIPPINES: This prized Filipino fabric is made from pineapple leaves		COSTA RICA: Strike causes heavy losses for pineapple, banana industries

Filmy, cream-colored, and embroidered, piña cloth has been worn by a first lady and gifted to royalty. Museums across the world hold exquisite piña dresses in their collections—a legacy of a 19th-century fashion trend.		A severe strike in Costa Rica has heavily affected the banana and pineapple industries, with the latter suffering multi-million dollar losses.

	COSTA RICA: Pineapple buyers can now guarantee they’re deforestation-free		ASIA: Expansion propels global pineapple market

As consumers become increasingly concerned about the environmental impacts, companies buying pineapples from Costa Rica can now see if their suppliers are engaged in deforestation.		Pineapple sales grow moderately over past nine years with Asia and Latin America set for rising demand in future.


AVOCADO

	MEXICO: Price dispute halts shipments of avocados		KENYA: Farmers cash in on avocado craze

A price dispute between producers in Michoacan, the heartland of Mexican avocado production, and packing companies brought exports of the coveted green fruit to a halt.		The growing appetite for ready-to-eat healthy options has seen the demand for avocados increase in Kenya over the past few years.

	NEW ZEALAND: ‘Record returns’ for avocado growers		CHILE: Villagers claim British appetite for avocados is draining region dry

Avocado growers have seen "record returns" this season, with an estimated NZD 150 (USD 101.5) million in sales for 2017-2018.		UK demand for fruit increased by 27% last year alone, prompting accusations that growers are illegally diverting rivers and leaving locals without water.


PAPAYA

	AUSTRALIA: Papaya growers set for bumper crop		MEXICO: Production of honey, papaya, habanero, and turkey decreases in Yucatan

Papaya Australia reported that excellent weather conditions and an increase in plantings had resulted in big numbers for the 2018.		The collapse of agricultural and livestock production affects the economy of thousands of Yucatecan families and exacerbates poverty levels in the state.

	STUDY: AI detects papaya ripeness		BRAZIL: Mechanical harvesting of papayas might be a reality with computational technique

A machine learning algorithm for detecting ripeness levels in papaya fruit could help both shoppers and producers.		The researchers at FEA-UNICAMP, led by Sylvio Barbon, Jr., investigated the use of a portable sensor


OTHER FRUITS

	SRI LANKA: Pineapple and passion fruit cultivation zones to be established		VIETNAM: First batch of star apples exported to the US

Implemented under the guidance of the Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, the Ministry of Agriculture has decided to establish pineapple and passionfruit cultivation zones in Moneragala under the accelerated agriculture development program, “We Grow – We Eat.”		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.

	BANGLADESH: Guava storage needed to aid Jhalakhati farmers		FIJI: Plans to commercialize dragonfruit

Guava growers in Jhalakathi are incurring losses because there are no storage arrangements for the tropical fruit.		The Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with the Taiwan Technical Mission (TTM) recently organized a dragonfruit field day at their Sigatoka farm as part of its efforts to release a promising variety soon.

	VIETNAM: Blockchain to promote trading identity of exports		THAILAND: Chiang Rai Farmers Sell Longan Part of the Belt and Road Initiative

Blockchain technology is expected to enhance agricultural exports by providing a global trading identity, speakers at a blockchain conference held in HCM City.		As part of the Belt and Road Initiative, China’s e-commerce giant Alibaba and the Thai government have signed a range of deals to sell Thai products online, in particular agricultural crops such as fruits.

	MEXICO: Oaxaca lychee growers plan to expand their production		CHINA: Customs expands checks on U.S. fruit imports

Lychee producers in Oaxaca are betting that demand for their product will continue to grow even though the fruit is rarely consumed in their home state.		Trade tensions between China and the USA has escalated to new heights with increase in import tariffs and stringent inspection on imported fruits, among others.

	INDIA: How a farmers’ group is reviving the jackfruit		AUSTRALIA: World’s largest achacha plantation for sale

A farmer producer organisation (FPO) in Karnataka’s Dakshina Kannada district is putting the humble jackfruit back on the table.		Australia’s only commercial Achacha plantation is on the market, providing investors with an opportunity to secure a monopoly over the sweet, tangy fruit. Achacha (achachairú, Garcinia humilis) is a native of Bolivia.

	MEXICO: New dragon fruit variety causes a frenzy		PERU: Dragon fruit and rambutan as export fruits

Available in a rainbow of colors, from blush pink and blood orange, to deep red or washed-out white, pitayas are like the colorful coming-together of a kiwi and a watermelon.		Dragon fruit and rambutan are two exotic fruits being grown in the province of Chanchamayo that are currently being produced for export purposes

	TRENDS: Chinese jujubes could give dates some competition		PAKISTAN: Mysterious blight mowing down date plantations

London-based Abakus Foods is processing and exporting jujube fruit products to 10 countries and is bringing them to Casino supermarkets in France.		An unidentified virus has caused killing of date trees in Khairpur district, triggering a wave of panic among the date producers.