USA: Cold snap raises concerns for mango growers in Southwest Florida
SOURCE: Natasha Casal, Gulf Coast News Now A stretch of cold weather moving into Southwest Florida has farmers watching the forecast closely, worried that dropping temperatures could threaten delicate crops. At Fruitscapes in Bokeelia, a nursery known for its tropical fruit trees, co-owner Stephen Cucura said even a brief frostContinue Reading
CHINA: Railway Delivers First Rail-to-Rail Banana Shipment from Laos to Chongqing
SOURCE: KENNY DONG, Chongqing The shipment consisted of five 40-foot containers with a net weight of 85.5 tonnes. Departing from Vientiane, Laos, the cargo entered China through the Mohan Railway Port in Yunnan Province before continuing by rail to Chongqing. After clearance by Chongqing Customs District, the bananas were distributedContinue Reading
PHILIPPINES: Banana tariff cut with Japan under negotiations ahead of CPTPP bid
SOURCE: Dexter Barro II, Manila Bulletin The government is negotiating lower tariffs on banana exports to Japan as a stopgap measure before the country secures zero duties through its potential membership in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said he recently engagedContinue Reading
INDIA: Avocadoes may become easier to grow —but not if global emissions remain high
SOURCE: Phys.org A new study suggests that with low to moderate levels of global greenhouse emissions in coming decades, more of India could become suitable for growing avocadoes. However, with high enough emissions, growing zones could shrink and destabilize by 2070. Researcher G. Karunakaran of the Indian Council of AgriculturalContinue Reading
EGYPT: Study reveals the role of natural oils in reducing banana spoilage
SOURCE: Sultan Qaboos University, Phys.org One of the major challenges facing the agricultural sector is reserving the post-harvest quality of fruits. Significant economic losses can be caused by rapid ripening and deterioration in tropical fruits, such as bananas, which are among the world’s most important staple crops. Bananas are highlyContinue Reading
PERU: Banana cooperatives supply U.S. co-op retail markets
SOURCE: Lakewinds Co-op retailers report increasing engagement with banana producers in Peru through visits linked to sourcing programmes coordinated with Equal Exchange. During a recent visit, co-op staff travelled to Peru to observe banana production systems and cooperative governance structures used by supplying farmers. According to produce category manager DavidContinue Reading
MALAYSIA: Exports of pineapple targeted to reach USD425m by 2027
SOURCE: Bernama The Malaysian government aims to raise pineapple export value to RM2 billion (approximately US$425 million) by 2027 as part of its strategy to strengthen the sector, which is positioned as a high-value agricultural commodity. Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin said the pineapple industryContinue Reading
AUSTRALIA: Carnarvon growers enjoy massive mango season, bringing prices down for consumers
SOURCE: Kimberley Putland and Amelia Searson, ABC The Gascoyne town known for its big banana should perhaps consider a rebrand to a massive mango. Carnarvon mango growers are reaping the rewards of bigger crops this season, with harvests up on last year, and mangoes close to the size of aContinue Reading
MEXICO: Organic mango production is thriving
SOURCE: Fresh Fruit Portal Organic mango production in Mexico continues to grow as a result of coordinated efforts involvingthe Mexican Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, more than 40,000 small- and medium-scale producers, and 21 certification bodies. In 2025, Mexico produced over 370 fresh organic mango products and approximately 1,700Continue Reading
PHILIPPINES: Bananas and pineapples get boost in new UAE FTA
SOURCE: Liam O’Callaghan, Fruitnet The Philippines and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have signed a free trade agreement set to provide a boost to Philippine fresh produce exports. Philippine President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan witnessed the signing and exchange of theContinue Reading