SOURCE: Matt Russell, Freshplaza Demand for Australian papaya has returned to normal, following the increase in retail purchasing immediately following the coronavirus pandemic outbreak. North Queensland growers, Skybury, noticed a small reduction in demand following the ‘panic buying’ that Australia went through, but it has now levelled out with retailersContinue Reading

SOURCE: Ryan Finnerty, Hawaii Public Radio With hotels, restaurants, and farmers largely shuttered, demand for fresh, local produce has plummeted. The loss of revenue puts future harvests at risk. Local farmers are experiencing a cash crunch, according to Brian Miyamoto, director of the Hawaii Farm Bureau. He says a wideContinue Reading

SOURCE: Andreo Calonzo, Bloomberg Get your potassium while you can. The coronavirus pandemic may limit supplies of bananas in Asia. Growers in the Philippines, the world’s second-biggest exporter, said overseas shipments may drop by nearly 40% this year as lockdowns and social distancing measures curb output and transport. The country’sContinue Reading

SOURCE: Brice R. Mbodiam, Business in Cameroon In March 2020, the two banana producers still operating in Cameroon exported 13,891 tons of the product, according to data from the banana producers’ association Assobacam. Compared with the 19,967 tons the two companies (Plantations du Haut Penja and Boh Plantations Plc) exported inContinue Reading