USA: Fresh Del Monte ramps up defenses as disease threatens world banana crops
2025-08-14
SOURCE: Elaine Watson, Ag Fund Newsletter “Before I go,” Fresh Del Monte chairman and CEO Mohammad Abu-Ghazaleh told analysts on the firm’s Q2 earnings call last week, “I believe it’s important to discuss an industry-wide situation regarding bananas…” The problem, he explained, is one “I have been predicting and warningContinue Reading
Startup, Biodegradable Banana Fibre Sanitary Products with Saathi Pads
2025-08-14
by Antonella Ilaria Totaro, Renewable Matter Saathi Pads is the first company to manufacture 100% biodegradable sanitary products made from banana fibre. Guided by a cradle-to-cradle approach to women’s health, the three founders—Kristin Kagetsu, Tarun Bothra, and Grace Kane, with degrees from MIT and Nirma University—have created a women-led manufacturingContinue Reading
MALAYSIA: Giving mangosteen ‘queen treatment’ to reverse declining yield
2025-08-11
SOURCE: Khoo Gek San, The Star The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry is considering pairing Musang King durian and mangosteen as Malaysia’s official “king” and “queen” of fruits, following concerns over the decline in mangosteen production in recent years. Agriculture Department director-general Datuk Nor Sam Alwi said mangosteen output fellContinue Reading
SOUTH KOREA: Smart farms grow papayas locally as Koreans go bananas for tropical fruits
2025-08-10
SOURCE: Korea JoongAng Daily Who needs Hawaii when you’ve got high-tech hothouses? Korea’s smart farms are making papayas and mangoes a local affair, as tropical fruits go upscale to meet growing appetites for premium, homegrown produce. Advancements in cultivation technology such as smart farms are building a foundation for producingContinue Reading
TFNet and Agri Malaysia Form Alliance to Promote ISTF 2025 in Darwin, Australia
2025-08-06
TFNet and AgriMalaysia to partner up for ISTF2025Continue Reading
MOROCCO: Avocado exports to Canada reach record high amidst drought
2025-08-06
SOURCE: Sara Zouiten, Morocco World News While Morocco faces its worst drought in decades, the country has exported a record 1,180 tons of avocados, a water-intensive crop, to Canada this season. Citing official data from Statistics Canada and Global Trade Tracker, Morocco exported 1.18 thousand tons of avocados to CanadaContinue Reading
ISTF2025 abstract submission deadline extended to July 30
2025-08-05
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CABI-Malaysia Country Director visits TFNet
2025-08-05
Chin Sing Yun is the new Country Director for CABI MalaysiaContinue Reading
MALAYSIA: Massive peat fire continues to spread at Miri-Marudi pineapple plantation, 80.15 ha affected as of midday
2025-08-04
SOURCE: Jenifer Laeng, The Borneo Post A peat fire affecting a privately-owned pineapple plantation on the Miri-Marudi road continues to spread rapidly, with an estimated 80.15 ha affected as of midday today. Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) Zone 6 Miri head Senior Fire Supt I Ismaidi Ismail said firefighters fromContinue Reading
EGYPT: Guava reclaims dominance in Qatar’s market
2025-08-02
SOURCE: East Fruit Egypt has significantly strengthened its position in the Qatari guava market, according to EastFruit. Between July 2024 and April 2025, Egypt exported 858 tons of guava to Qatar, valued at $817,000. This marks a 54% increase over the previous season and a ninefold rise compared to theContinue Reading
SENEGAL: Tackling the problem of fruit flies in mangoes
2025-07-31
SOURCE: Sébastien Dekeister, Koppert Senegal/Freshplaza The fruit fly issue in Senegal, exacerbated by climate anomalies, has severely impacted the mango export sector over the past three to four years. Between 2021 and 2024, export volumes fell from 21,000 to 9,000 tons (industry sources) due to a combination of factors, particularlyContinue Reading