W44: Weekly Berry Update
Blueberry
Netherlands: The Peruvian Blueberry Spot Price Decreased by 36% In W43, Compared to W40
The average FOT price in the Netherlands decreased by 36% from USD 10.95 in W40 to USD 6.97 in W43 for a 1.5kg box of Peruvian blueberries (in 12x125g punnets). This price drop was partially caused by an oversupply of blueberries from Peru and decreased demand among EU consumers. In Poland, good quality blueberries can be purchased for USD 5.97/1.5 kg. Dutch importers still have stock that are unsold, with more containers coming.
USA: Peru Imports of Blueberries Through Philadelphia and New York City Expected to Decrease
Peru imports of blueberries through Philadelphia and New York City area ports of entry are expected to decrease as a few growers are finished for the season. Trading is fairly slow, with prices lower. Flats 12 1-pint cups with lids large 14.00-18.00, 6-ounce large, mostly 12.00-14.00. The movement of blueberries through Arizona, California, and Texas is expected to remain about the same and prices generally remain unchanged. Flats 12 6-ounce cups with lids large, mostly 10.00. The blueberries through Southern California ports of entry movement are expected to decrease as some growers are finished for the season with prices lower. Flats 12 1-pint cups with lids large 16.00-20.00.
Peru: Technologies for Molecular Identification of Pests in Blueberries and Cassava Are Implemented
The National Institute for Agrarian Innovation (INIA), Senasa and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) of Colombia are developing research activities to implement molecular identification technologies for pests in blueberry and cassava crops in Peru and Colombia. To this end, the work which is carried out within the framework of a strategic alliance has been developing portable Oxford Nanopore sequencing methodologies and the TaqMan Array Card (TAC) multiple detection system, technologies that complement each other to achieve rapid and multiple molecular characterization of pathogens. This will generate an information exchange system to disseminate the technique and the advantages of the application of technologies in the identification of pests of economic importance with scientific rigor, through which research is carried out for the adaptation of integrated pest management alternatives in blueberry so that growers can protect their crops.
Chile: Chilean Fresh Fruit Exports Amounted to USD 4,235 Between January and September 2022
Fresh fruit reaches sales of 2.31 million tons, equivalent to USD 4,235 million FOB between January and September 2022. These exports register an increase in volume of 0.5%, and a decrease in value of 0.4% compared with the same period of the previous year. In fourth place was blueberry, with shipments of 90,363 tons equivalent to USD 3,572.99 million FOB, registering a decrease of 6% in volume and 26.3% in value, in relation to the same period of the previous year, and with shipments mainly to the US (48.1%) and the Netherlands (20.3%).
Chile: 8% Expected Drop in Exports of Blueberries
It is estimated that the 2022/23 Chilean blueberry season exports will reach 98,228 tons, representing an 8% drop YoY. Last season, Chilean blueberry exports suffered significant logistical problems, which accelerated the adjustment of the national supply. This season, the forecast indicated better logistics, but exports have decreased due to exporters prioritizing the condition of the fruit. On the other hand, frozen blueberry exports are expected to increase to 60K tons or more this season.
"Fruits from Chile" had an outstanding participation in The Global Produce & Floral Show, which took place in Orlando, USA, last week, and which was also the first face-to-face fair organized by IFPA (International Fresh Produce Association). Our country had a large pavilion, which was very popular with importers, buyers and retailers, who were able to hold business meetings with the representatives of the exporting companies present at the event. The president of ASOEX commented that the main fruits exported in 2021/22, to the US market, were table grapes with 38% of the total volume shipped, mandarins (14.3%), oranges (10.8%), blueberries (6.8%), apples (6.5%) and clementines (5.2%).
The Peruvian blueberries wins, prices are stable and settle from 10 to 15 euros per kg, which in some markets are exceeded. Prices in detail: Bergamo (Peru 10/14 euro / kg), Bologna (Peru 13/15), Cesena (Peru 17/18), Florence (Peru 10/13), Genoa (Peru 14/15), Milan ( 10/12), Naples (14/15), Parma (Argentina 12/14), Reggio Emilia (Peru 14.50 / 15), Rome (Peru 13/15), Treviso (Peru 15 / 15.50), Verona (Peru 11/13 euro / kg).
South Africa: Exporters Ramp up Blueberry Shipments After Strike
The South African blueberry sector is making up for precious time lost during the recent port workers' strike. This weekend, 3,500 tons of blueberries left Cape Town for the UK and Europe. “While this is a significant volume in the context of South Africa, it could easily be absorbed by the UK and EU markets. The increase in exports of berries from South Africa coincides with a decrease in supplies from South America,” says Elzette Schutte, Operations Manager at BerriesZA.
Strawberry
Chile: SAG Authorizes the First Batch of Treated and Nematode-Free Strawberry Plants
A total of 3,660,000 strawberry plants of the Monterrey variety were authorized this Friday by the Agricultural and Livestock Service, SAG, for their commercialization as the first batch treated with phosphine by nurserymen. This was after the immobilization measure that the Service had determined for this plant material from nurseries contaminated with the plague Aphelechoides fragariae, called "strawberry foliar nematode", in order to prevent its spread to other productive hosts and new geographical areas of the country. The announcement of the release occurs after these plants turned out to be negative for said pest in the samples that the SAG is carrying out in the different contaminated nurseries after their treatment with phosphine, which today allows farmers to have healthy plants for the production of strawberries. Notwithstanding the foregoing, and that the results of this phosphine treatment are promising, it is important to consider that the number of released plants corresponds to 7.3% of the 52 million infested plants of this variety that were retained. The Service continues to make progress in the total analysis of them after the treatment received to verify their health, which would allow the progressive release of new healthy items.
These were the strawberries present in all markets: Bergamo (Italy 5/6 euro / kg), Bologna (Italy 4/6), Bolzano (Italy 5.20 / 6.50), Cagliari (Italy 10), Cesena (Italy 6/6, 50), Florence (Italy 5 / 6.50), Genoa (Italy 5/6), Milan (Italy 5/7; Holland 8/9), Parma (Italy 3/4), Padua (Italy 6 / 7.50 ), Rome (Italy 7 / 7.50 euros), Treviso (Trentino 11/12), Verona (Italy 3 / 3.50). In Florence, wild strawberries are listed and sell for 18/20 euros per kg. In Cagliari, the mixed forest from Spain costs 17 euros per kilo.
Italy: White Strawberries for Christmas Will Be Offered to Buyers by an Italian Cooperative
In the Basilicata region of Italy, white strawberries (strawberries) will be grown. The taste of the berry is similar to pineapples (hence the name of the fruit - pineberry). The variety has an ancient origin from a spontaneous crossing that occurred 200 years ago. The cooperative Gentile Group, which is engaged in the production of berries, has signed a licensing agreement on cooperation with the American company EMCO CAL for the production and commercialization of the white garden strawberry variety Florida Pearl. Agro-enterprises that are part of the cooperative have already purchased seedlings, so the first batches of berries will be on sale by Christmas. Their cost will be higher than for ordinary red strawberries.
Greece: Newly Installed Greek Strawberry Plants Failure Rate at 50%
Greek farmers are estimating that 50% of newly installed strawberry plants are failing, and at this time of the season there are no plants to cover the empty land. Farmers accuse plant breeders of poor quality plant propagation material, while plant breeders return the claims to farmers for poor hygiene and poor plant protection protocols due to stricter demands by retailers. In the end, it seems that this is caused by a combination of earth-born diseases, extremely warm weather, "weak plant materials" and the preference for only one variety for cultivation ("victory").
China: Strawberry Picking Season Starts in December
As the winter season starts in China, the domestic strawberry season begins in Dandong City, Liaoning Province, in Northern regions. The picking period starts in December and lasts until early May 2023. Strawberries are one of the most demanded fruits in China, after cherries. Early-season strawberries are usually expensive. Last year's early season strawberry pricing stood at around USD 27.48/kg (RMB 200/kg).
Turkey: Harvest and Planting Ceremony for “San Andreas” Strawberry Was Held in Muğla
Harvesting and planting of the "San Andreas" strawberry, popularly known as the "Vali Hanım" strawberry, was carried out in the Yatağan district of Muğla. 1 million strawberry seedlings procured with the support of Muğla Governorship and Investment Monitoring Coordination Presidency (YIKOB) will be distributed to producers in Muğla and its districts. In this context, a harvest and planting ceremony was held in the strawberry field created in Bencik District. Explaining that the project, which started on an area of 27 decares at the first stage, has reached 587 decares as of today, Saylak said, "About 3507 tons of strawberries were produced in Muğla last year, generating an income of 33 million liras. 430 of our 750 producers are women." he said.
Turkey: The Last Harvest of the Year in Strawberries in Batman
The last harvest of the year has started in organic strawberries planted in Sason district of Batman with the 80 percent grant support provided by the state to the farmers. In Sason district, where strawberry production is made in 3 seasons of the year, the producers are making the last harvest of the year as the weather starts to cool. Stating that they left behind a fruitful year in strawberries in Sason district, one of the strawberry producers Fahrettin Çelik stated that they started the last harvest of the year in the district.
Ukraine: In Khmelnytskyi, Forestry Is Expanding Strawberry Plantations
New strawberry plantations will grow on the nurseries of the Yarmolynetsk Forest Farm. An area of more than 2 hectares was planted in the Zinkiv and Vyshnivchytsky forestry. This was reported by the press service of the Khmelnytskyi Regional Department of Forestry and Hunting. It is reported that the workers planted 80 thousand seedlings of three varieties: Allegro and Ami (early ripening), Marmelada (late ripening), Skala (medium ripening). All of them have excellent taste qualities, which everyone will be able to try next spring.
Kazakhstan: The Area Under Strawberries Is Increased Annually in the Zhambyl Region
As reported in the press service of the head of the region, akim of the Zhambyl region Nurzhan Nurzhigitov, during his working trip to the Merken district, visited peasant farms engaged in the cultivation of berry products. Now there is still a harvest of remnant strawberry varieties, which give a high-quality harvest, while the bulk of the strawberries have already “departed”. This year, Albion strawberries were planted on 10 hectares in the Zhemis-Zhidek farm of the Zhambyl rural district, and a drip irrigation system is actively used here. All these agricultural works for a total amount of 90 million tenge are carried out by the farm at its own expense.
Brazil: Natural Film That Keeps the Strawberry Longer
Brazilian scientists have created a natural and invisible particle that protects and preserves the strawberry for longer. The material was developed in the Embrapa laboratory, in São Carlos (SP), in partnership with the São Paulo State University (Unesp) of Araraquara. The coating has: mint and grass essential oils; carnauba wax, a palm typical of the Northeast; arrowroot starch, a medicinal plant; and cellulose nanocrystals.
Raspberry
Italy: Small Fruit Price Index Down 1.9% In Italian Large-Scale Distribution
The online price survey of the Italian GDO involved 40 references this week. The category saw a drop in the price index equal to 1.9%, mainly driven by a reduction in raspberries. Blueberries (-2.3%) and red currants also fell, while blackberries, in contrast to the general index, increased by + 2.2%. The number of references on offer sees raspberries in first place with 28.5% of the products detected, followed by blueberries at 25.7% and blackberries 22.9%.
Italy: Wholesale Small Fruits; Portuguese, Moroccan, and Italian Raspberry
The Portuguese raspberries dominated the market with a few Italian and moroccan. The market prices were: Bergamo (Portugal 14/16 euro), Bologna (Portugal 21/23), Florence (Italy 12/15; Morocco 14/15), Genoa (Portugal 15/16), Milan (Portugal 14/16), Naples (15/17), Parma (Italy 16.50 / 20), Piacenza (Italy 16/17), Reggio Emilia (Portugal 15.50 / 16), Rome (Portugal 14/16), Turin (Portugal 12/14), Treviso (Italy 16.80 / 17.50), Verona (Portugal 11/13 euro / kg).
Serbia: Buying Raspberries Were More Expensive Than in Poland
A week ago, we were informed about the prices of frozen raspberries in Poland at the level of even over PLN 70 / kg. Of course, the smaller the package, the higher the price per kilogram. Only with 2.5-kilogram packages, it drops to about PLN 50 / kg. Nevertheless, it is still a price many times higher than those received by growers in purchase. However, the purchase price of summer raspberries in Serbia for most of the season remained at the level (converted) from PLN 20.00 to PLN 24.00 / kg. In Poland, it was on average much lower. Thus, in the case of Serbia, from purchase to market, it increased by 170%, and in Poland by over 400%