(USA 02.05.24) #blueberries Brian Bocock of Naturipe Farms Discusses California Domestic Blueberry Crop and Promotional Opportunities [AG: Shedding Light on Australia's (Blue)berry Market: A Call for Regular Updates] Brian Bocock from Naturipe Farms discusses the California blueberry crop and promotions. They offer premium Mighty Blues and new proprietary varieties. The season looks promising, with promotional opportunities increasing as domestic regions come online. Pricing needs to remain strong to cover rising costs. Retailers should plan promotions promptly. ----- [AG: In the bustling world of agriculture, staying informed about market trends and updates is crucial for growers and industry stakeholders. Yet, when it comes to the Australian (blue)berry market, there's a noticeable absence of regular updates, leaving growers and stakeholders in the dark. This lack of transparency stands in stark contrast to other countries where regular and freely available market updates are the norm. While (blue)berries are a significant crop in Australia, providing essential nutrition and economic value, the current scenario presents challenges for those involved in the industry. Without access to timely market information, growers struggle to make informed decisions about planting, harvesting and pricing strategies. Likewise, industry stakeholders, including distributors and retailers, face uncertainties in planning promotions and managing inventory effectively. Enterprises like Naturipe Farms, with their recent insights into the California blueberry market, highlight the importance of transparent and up-to-date information. By sharing details about crop performance, pricing trends and promotional opportunities, they empower stakeholders to navigate the market more effectively. It's time for Australia's (blue)berry industry to follow suit. Establishing a system for regular market updates would not only benefit growers and stakeholders but also contribute to the overall growth and sustainability of the industry. With access to timely information, growers can optimize their operations, respond to market dynamics and ensure a steady supply of high-quality (blue)berries to meet consumer demand. As we advocate for greater transparency in the Australian (blue)berry market, let's acknowledge the valuable role that regular updates play in fostering a thriving and resilient industry which paves the way for informed decision-making and continued success.] ----- https://lnkd.in/gbJqjZzM
Australian Growers’ Post
More Relevant Posts
-
(USA 22.06.24) #blueberries Naturipe Farms launches new blueberry varieties [AG: The Call for an Australian Fresh Produce Data Platform - An Unmet Need] Naturipe Farms, the world's largest blueberry producer, has introduced new blueberry varieties with improved flavour, texture, and size. The company sees growth in premium and value-added products, catering to the rising demand for grab-and-go snacks and organic berries. ----- [AG: As Australian growers, we are part of a vibrant, diverse and crucial industry of our economy - the fresh produce industry. We are proud of our work, producing high-quality fruits, vegetables and other crops that feed our nation. However, to continue thriving and growing, we need access to comprehensive, up-to-date market information. Internationally, there are several platforms providing this vital service. Agronometrics agronometrics.com, for example, offers a wealth of data on fresh produce markets, including pricing, volumes and trends. It's a trusted tool for growers, marketers and purchasers alike, providing a clear picture of the industry landscape. Similarly, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has a dedicated section for pricing and market data https://lnkd.in/emVHv6tJ , as well as a specific market news platform https://lnkd.in/d7xDDiuX. These resources offer extensive, regularly updated information on a wide range of agricultural commodities. ProduceIQ produceiq.com is another excellent example. It's a platform that provides fresh produce industry insights, analysis and pricing information. It's a valuable tool for those involved in the industry, from growers and distributors to retailers and food service providers. These platforms are not just informative; they're freely accessible. They offer user-friendly interfaces and even smartphone applications, making it easy for anyone involved in the industry to stay informed, no matter where they are. So, the question arises: why doesn't Australia have a similar platform? Our fresh produce industry is dynamic and diverse, and it deserves an equally dynamic and diverse platform to support it. Such a platform would empower growers and other industry stakeholders with the information they need to make informed decisions. It would promote transparency, encourage competition and ultimately, lead to a stronger, more resilient industry. As Australian growers, we call upon our industry leaders and relevant government bodies to recognise this need. Let's work together to create a platform that serves our industry, supports our growers and strengthens our agricultural future.] ----- https://lnkd.in/gD28F644
Naturipe Farms launches new blueberry varieties
https://stories.agronometrics.com
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
(AUSTRALIA 29.04.24) Seedless fruit demand high and breeding technology improving fast, but price point not there for farmers [Revolutionizing the Food Supply Chain: A Call to Remove None Value Adding Post-Farm Gate Middlemen] Demand for seedless fruit is rising, driven by improved breeding technology. However, profitability remains a challenge for farmers due to lower prices. Troy Emmerson, a citrus grower, highlights the popularity of seedless varieties like lemons. University of Queensland Professor Robert Henry explains the technology behind seedless produce and its potential for all fruits and vegetables. Despite the promise, Ebony Faichney of Farmour emphasizes the need for higher retail prices to incentivize growers. ----- [AG: As demand for seedless fruit rises and technology advances, the conversation around profitability for growers takes center stage. While many point to higher retail prices as the solution, it's time to rethink the entire supply chain paradigm. In the current system, post-farm gate middlemen play a significant role, often adding unnecessary costs without adding value. These intermediaries merely clip the ticket, squeezing profits and margins from the food supply chain. However, there's a compelling argument that they have no place in our food supply chain. It requires no advanced expertise; our farmers and growers possess the ability to directly provide fresh produce to our major retailers and engage in exporting their goods from farms and packing facilities to global markets. Through the simplification of the supply chain and removal of redundant intermediaries, this heightened efficiency ensures the delivery of fresher produce to shelves. This refined strategy yields benefits for farmers, growers, retailers and consumers alike, culminating in an improved quality of available goods within the market and sustainable returns to our farmers and growers. Removing unnecessary supply chain costs should result in more affordable retail prices, provided major retailers maintain fair retail, markup and profit margins. This, in turn, should improve farm gate returns for growers supplying major retailers in a more direct and efficient supply chain scenario. It's high time to embrace and push for a new approach to our food supply chain - one that prioritizes efficiency, freshness and fairness for our farmers and growers. By cutting out unnecessary middlemen, we can create a more sustainable and equitable system for all (relevant) stakeholders involved.] -----
Seedless mangoes could be around the corner, but are shoppers willing to pay for them?
abc.net.au
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
(USA 02.09.24) Large raspberry crop contains new varietals [AG: A Shadow Over Abundance - The Information Gap in Australia's Fresh Produce Industry] #raspberries The Agronometrics article discusses a large raspberry crop featuring new varietals. The 2024 season is expected to yield high volumes, with varieties like "Raspberry Shortcake" and "Polka" gaining popularity for their flavour and disease resistance. Growers are optimistic about meeting market demand, especially with the rise of organic production. The combination of favorable weather and innovative cultivation techniques is anticipated to enhance overall quality and supply. ----- [AG: Australian fresh produce growers continue to face an alarming level of uncertainty due to the lack of consistent, freely available market updates, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation by post-farm-gate operators. Unlike the U.S., which offers platforms like ProduceIQ and USDA Market News for real-time data, our Australian industry representatives seem unwilling and unable to provide our growers with the timely and relevant information they desperately need. The absence of accurate, real-time data keeps our growers in the dark, while our opaque supply chain, riddled with outdated and restricted data subscription models offered by profit-driven third parties, undermines their sustainability and profitability. It is infuriating that in an age of advanced technology, other countries are far ahead in keeping their growers informed, while Australia appears to be deliberately blindfolding its growers. This negligence not only risks pushing our growers to the brink of bankruptcy but also endangers their lives, as they struggle against a system designed to exploit rather than support them. It is unacceptable that those entrusted with representing our fresh produce industry lack the courage and commitment to ensure that our growers are equipped with the necessary knowledge to thrive. The time for change is now; our Australian Growers deserve better!] ----- https://lnkd.in/g5aip-bz
Large raspberry crop contains new varietals
https://stories.agronometrics.com
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
Next week I have my first opportunity to attend one of our famed BLOOM FRESH open days. This is our first open day for cherries in Spain where we will get to showcase our incredible early season, low chill cherry varieties. As great as the early harvest element is (because I am dying to try them!), the bit I have been really excited to learn about is the 'low chill' properties which will be critical to supporting a more secure and sustainable global food chain. More information in the article below and watch this space for more updates next week! Fruitnet #cherries #lowchill #earlyseason
Bloom Fresh to showcase cherry innovations
fruitnet.com
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
We may have tastier and healthy yummy potato chips soon on the market. Farmers can’t grow the crops year-round and snack makers need a constant supply of fresh spuds to meet their demands. Preserving potatoes in cold storage ensures chip and fry producers have what they need, but the low temperatures also trigger a process called cold-induced sweetening, or CIS, which converts starches to sugars. Processing tubers loaded with sugars results in darkened fries and chips. It also generates acrylamide, a carcinogenic compound formed during high-temperature processing, which has been linked to health concerns including an increased cancer risk. These researchers have identified the specific gene responsible for CIS and, more importantly, they’ve uncovered the regulatory element that switches it on under cold temperatures. By studying how this gene turns on and off, they open up the possibility of developing potatoes that are naturally resistant to CIS and, therefore, will not produce toxic compounds. Their next steps involve using this knowledge to create CIS-resistant potato lines through gene editing or other breeding techniques. The potential benefits of this research extend beyond improved snack food quality. Reducing acrylamide formation in potatoes could have implications for other processed starchy foods. Additionally, cold-resistant potatoes could offer greater flexibility in storage and transportation, potentially reducing food waste and costs. Researcher believes the new CIS-resistant potatoes could be commercially available in the near future. #foodsafety #coldstorage #carcinogens #potatochips
Scientists Uncover Key to Tastier and Healthier Potato Chips
https://scitechdaily.com
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
There are more than 1,000 varieties of banana, and we eat one of them. Here’s why that’s absurd https://lnkd.in/gGBDqR52 The lack of diversity could mean the fruit’s extinction. It offers a stark warning of what could happen to other key foods The most striking point made at this year’s forum came in a seemingly innocuous comment in the event’s opening speech. The director general of the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation, Dr Qu Dongyu, questioned why, with more than 1,000 known varieties of banana, the world mostly depends on just one, a species called the Cavendish. That needs to change, he said, hinting that we are all part of the problem. Most people don’t question why every banana they’ve ever eaten looks and tastes pretty much the same. Most of us will never try a blue java from Indonesia with its soft, unctuous texture and flavour of vanilla ice-cream, or the Chinese banana that is so aromatic it’s been given the name go san heong, meaning “you can smell it from the next mountain”. The demand for low-cost, high-yielding varieties has resulted in vast monocultures of just one type of globally traded banana, and this is true of many other crops as well. Homogeneity in the food system is a risky strategy, because it reduces our ability to adapt in a rapidly changing world. Unlike wild bananas, which grow from seed, every single Cavendish is a clone, the offspring of a slice of the plant’s suckers growing below ground. This means it has no way of evolving, so it can’t adapt to new threats that arise in the environment. Panama disease, also known as fusarium wilt, is whipping through monocultures of Cavendish bananas in Asia, Australia, Africa and, most recently, in Latin America and the Caribbean, the source of 80% of the world’s traded bananas. Just a few spores carried on a spade or even on clothing is all it takes to contaminate a plantation, and growing the Cavendish on that land is no longer an option.
There are more than 1,000 varieties of banana, and we eat one of them. Here’s why that’s absurd | Dan Saladino
theguardian.com
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
Which table grapes varieties performed best in Ica, Peru this season? It is important to look not only at the change in volume compared to last season, but also the change in planted area 18+ months ago (the time it takes vines to mature in the region). Varieties increasing in planted area two seasons ago should increase by the same amount or more in the current season as vines reach full maturity. However, this was not the case for any of the eight varieties expanding most in Ica. Varieties have lower performance where the change in volume this season falls farther short of the change in planted area two seasons ago. In this regard, Allison, Timpson, and Sweet Globe performed best. Candy Snaps, Timco, and AUTUMNCRISP® brand performed worst. It was not a typical season in Ica. El Niño led to higher temperatures from April to October and moved up harvest by 3-4 weeks. The rushed phenological cycle may have reduced berry weight more in some varieties, which could explain the differences in performance. Another factor to consider is that vines may be productive within 18 months, although yields may increase further in the next season or two. If so, the production potential this season should be even greater on account of older vines, making volume changes appear that much lower. Overall, Ica shipped roughly the same number of boxes as last season. It’s not clear yet if the net planted area changed. The reduction in old varieties may have offset the expansion in new ones. In any case, the volume increase in some new varieties is less than expected. Are you interested in market updates on table grapes and other crops? Please follow the link below to join our mailing list! http://eepurl.com/gaXLkr BLOOM FRESH, Sun World International
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
You know what made weed great during prohibition - variety, the spice of life. Whenever we would have a sesh, everyone brought their own uniqueness to the table. Unique strains that no one else had, grown with different methods than anyone else. During the forum days of the late '90s/early '00s, everyone had a unique way of growing. We used different nutrient recipes, our own substrate blends, custom inputs often made by the grower, and these all had huge impacts on the quality of the final product. And above all, you better believe the grower spent the bulk of their efforts on a dialed in dry/cure. We all know the last steps are the most important. Over the past two years I've watched too many cultivators chase each other's tails, everyone running around in circles trying to find that magic recipe to boost the bottom line. The smaller companies try to out-compete the deep-pockets of the MSOs, by following their cultivation programs. These are mostly new-to-cannabis folks who saw the industry as an opportunity to build a profitable business, and hopefully help some people along the way. But they've made a critical error in not sticking to what gave them their competitive edge - the unique methods that large scale growers can't deploy. There's been a massive consolidation in cultivation methods - everyone running the same lights, same nutes, same dehus, same substrate, same environmental programs (crop steering), strict 56 day flips, . . . then they rush the product to market by quick drying (3-5 days) with no cure, a quick run through the radiation chamber, and into a jar with a snazzy label. Little to no thought for the experience of the end consumer. In fact, I'd bet there isn't a KPI for consumer satisfaction in most companies' performance matrices - big or small. The only thing separating one company from the next is pretty simple - genetics and cultivation methods. Do your company and your customers, and the plant, a favor - get back to being unique, and bring something truly unique and memorable to market.
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
(USA 18.07.24) #blackberries #berries Triple crown blackberries are gaining ground in the US [AG: The Call for an Australian Fresh Produce Data Platform - An Unmet Need] Triple Crown blackberries are becoming increasingly popular in the U.S. due to their high yield, large fruit size, and excellent flavor, leading to greater market presence and consumer demand. ----- [AG: As Australian growers, we are part of a vibrant, diverse and crucial industry of our economy - the fresh produce industry. We are proud of our work, producing high-quality fruits, vegetables and other crops that feed our nation. However, to continue thriving and growing, we need access to comprehensive, up-to-date market information. Internationally, there are several platforms providing this vital service. Agronometrics agronometrics.com, for example, offers a wealth of data on fresh produce markets, including pricing, volumes and trends. It's a trusted tool for growers, marketers and purchasers alike, providing a clear picture of the industry landscape. Similarly, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has a dedicated section for pricing and market data https://lnkd.in/emVHv6tJ , as well as a specific market news platform https://lnkd.in/d7xDDiuX , as well as a specific National Agricultural Statistics platform https://www.nass.usda.gov These resources offer extensive, regularly updated information on a wide range of agricultural commodities. ProduceIQ produceiq.com is another excellent example. It's a platform that provides fresh produce industry insights, analysis and pricing information. It's a valuable tool for those involved in the industry, from growers and distributors to retailers and food service providers. These platforms are not just informative; they're freely accessible. They offer user-friendly interfaces and even smartphone applications, making it easy for anyone involved in the industry to stay informed, no matter where they are. So, the question arises: why doesn't Australia have a similar platform? Our fresh produce industry is dynamic and diverse, and it deserves an equally dynamic and diverse platform to support it. Such a platform would empower growers and other industry stakeholders with the information they need to make informed decisions. It would promote transparency, encourage competition and ultimately, lead to a stronger, more resilient industry. As Australian growers, we call upon our industry leaders and relevant government bodies to recognise this need. Let's work together to create a platform that serves our industry, supports our growers and strengthens our agricultural future.] ----- https://lnkd.in/gxFhsdUu
Triple crown blackberries are gaining ground in the US
https://stories.agronometrics.com
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
(AUSTRALIA 20.06.24) ‘Deliberate manipulation’: Do supermarkets order too much fruit and veg on purpose? [AG: An Apple a Day Keeps Transparency Away - The Tale of Australian Agriculture] Australian farmer groups have asked the competition watchdog to investigate whether supermarkets are intentionally causing an oversupply of fruits and vegetables to secure supply and lower prices. They argue that this could be a severe disruption to the fair functioning of fresh produce markets. An interim report on the issue is due by August 31. ----- [AG: Well, well, well, here we are again, folks! Another day in the paradise of the Australian fresh produce industry. You know, that magical place where we grow a plethora of fruits and veggies with no clear idea of where they're going, how much we're getting paid for them, or even how much we should be growing in the first place. It's a bit like playing pin the tail on the donkey, but with avocados and apples. Now, we know what you're thinking. Why don't we just use all that data we've been collecting over the past decade or so to create a clear picture of the supply and demand? You know, use technology to predict future volumes and give our hardworking growers a heads up on what they should be planting. Well, that would make sense, wouldn't it? But let's not get ahead of ourselves here. Instead, let's continue in our merry way, cultivating the same crops we've been growing for the past decade or so, crossing our fingers and hoping it all works out in the end. After all, who needs progress when we can just keep doing what we've always done? And let's not forget about all our Australian fresh produce industry representatives and government departments. Oh, there's a LOT of them! It's like a never-ending family reunion that no one really wanted to attend. But hey, they're here, vaguely managing things and keeping our industry as opaque and non-transparent as possible. Because why make things easy when we can make them complicated? So here's to the Australian fresh produce industry! May we continue to cultivate uncertainty, harvest confusion and distribute frustration. Because let's face it, who needs change when we can just keep doing what we've always done and hope for the best? After all, it's worked so well for us so far, hasn't it?] ----- https://lnkd.in/e8APqEcB
‘Deliberate manipulation’: Do supermarkets order too much fruit and veg on purpose?
brisbanetimes.com.au
To view or add a comment, sign in
More from this author
-
Gluts, Guts, and Governance: Fixing Australia’s Fresh Produce Chaos
Australian Growers 1w -
A Glimpse of the USDA's Market News: A Shining Example of What Australia is Failing to Do
Australian Growers 1mo -
Left in the Dark: How Australia’s Produce Markets Profit Off ‘Transparency.
Australian Growers 1mo