USA: Can Disease-Sniffing Dogs Save the World’s Citrus?
2020-02-14
Tim Gottwald will never forget the sight: the mottled yellow leaves, the withered branches, the small, misshapen fruits, tinged with sickly green.Continue Reading
MALAYSIA: Durian industry stung by low prices as coronavirus outbreak affects demand from China
2020-02-14
The prices of durians in Malaysia have dipped as demand from China fell following the novel coronavirus outbreak.Continue Reading
AUSTRALIA: Panama disease tropical race 4 detected in Far North Queensland
2020-02-08
A devastating fungal disease with the potential to wipe out banana crops has been detected on a farm in Far North Queensland — the heart of Australia’s growing district.Continue Reading
BERMUDA: Mealybugs place banana imports in jeopardy
2020-02-04
[pullquote]Source: Owain Johnston-Barnes, Royal Gazette[/pullquote] Pest problems could lead to a shortage of bananas in the next few weeks. A spokeswoman for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources said yesterday that officials had worked with importers to tackle pest contaminations — and the expensive inspection process needed to block theContinue Reading
NEW ZEALAND: Avocado trees killed in Far North orchard
2020-01-31
An avocado orchard in the Far North has been vandalized – alongside the words “water thieves” – in an apparent protest against water usage in the parched region. Windbreaks have been slashed and graffitied, water pipes have been cut and about 20 trees have been killed over the ChristmasContinue Reading
CHINA: GM papaya and soybean from USA approved for import
2020-01-31
China approved two new genetically modified (GM) crops for import earlier this week that could boost agricultural purchases from the United States, while renewing permits for 10 others, the Chinese agriculture ministry said. Earlier this month, Beijing and Washington announced a Phase 1 trade deal, under which China hasContinue Reading
INDONESIA: Chinese imports restrictions being reviewed over coronavirus concerns
2020-01-31
The Trade Ministry is coordinating with the Health Ministry on whether to impose import restrictions on goods from China, Indonesia’s largest trading partner, to prevent the spread of the coronavirus responsible for a rising death toll in China into Indonesia. “We will observe and evaluate it given that theContinue Reading
CHINA: First shipment of Taiwanese guavas headed for United States
2020-01-30
The first shipment of Taiwanese guavas to the United States set out from Nanxi District in Tainan on Friday, following the signing of an export agreement by the two countries in October. Approximately ten metric tons of the fruit will be transported by sea to the American West Coast,Continue Reading
MALAYSIA: Durian skin biocomposite for take-out containers and 3-D printing
2020-01-30
Researchers at the International Islamic University Malaysia have developed biodegradable food packaging container featuring the skin of the durian fruit that can also be used as 3-D printing filament. The new development is in line with the “New Plastics Economy” where this alternative sustainable material supports the circular economy,Continue Reading
INDIA: Horticulture output to be 313 million tonnes in 2019-20
2020-01-30
Total horticulture production in 2019-20 is expected to be 313.35 million tonnes (mt), about 0.84 per cent higher than 2018-19, according to first advance estimates released on Monday. As per the final estimates, also released today, the total horticulture production of the country in 2018-19 was estimated to beContinue Reading
AUSTRALIA: Pineapple glut due to drought conditions prompts growers to urge more consumption
2020-01-28
Australians are being encouraged to eat more pineapple for the remainder of the summer to help growers deal with a glut in the market. In central Queensland, drought-affected crops are finally ripe for the picking and growers are run off their feet to get the fruit to consumers. But the late timingContinue Reading
THAILAND: Department of Agriculture promotes fruit export standards
2020-01-26
The Department of Agriculture is convincing fruit exporters to meet standards for their produce and packaging processes and about 500 operators have agreed to cooperate. Sermsuk Salakpetch, director-general of the department, said the Office of Agricultural Research and Development Region 6 in Chanthaburi province was speeding up its proceduresContinue Reading