Spanish Citrus Production Under Threat

Spanish citrus production could disappear in a few years as it faces the threat of two citrus diseases that are not being taken seriously by the authorities, growers complain.

According to Valencia-based producers’ association Ava-Asaja, the European Commission and the Spanish national government have so far failed to understand the gravity of the situation.

The association’s studies of official figures have found that in 2009, of 94 consignments of imported citrus intercepted for disease problems in the EU, 71 of them had evidence of black spot and were rejected. The body is further dismayed that there are no protocols in place should citrus greening appear in the Mediterranean region, despite the discovery of the insect responsible for its spread in the Canary Islands and its presence in Florida and California in the US.

Ava-Asaja president Cristóbal Aguado said: “We have been saying for years that it is like playing fire. Scientists from the

Bananas

A recent report issued by the United Nations FAO has suggested that demand for bananas has been fairly unaffected by the current global recession.

The report issued by the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) showing that global sales – particularly in developing countries – have remained stable.

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Trade in bananas and tropical fruit accounts for nearly 40 per cent of the global fruit market, the study said. �

Garlic

Due to falling production and fears of the H1N1 ‘swine flu’ virus, china reported that the price of Garlic has almost quadrupled since March.

The announcement last week, prompted a high school, located in the city of Hangzhou, to buy 200k of Garlic and is forcing students to eat it for lunch in an effort to help them stay healthy.

In parts of Shandong, the wholesale price of Garlic has risen by up to 40 times. It is claimed that the speculative is by the wealthy coal mine bosses, but there are other obvious reasons for the trend. Many farmers were convinced it was not worth re-planting their crops, due to the low price of 2008.

Growth in British Soft Fruit Sales in 2009

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This year has shown a significant sales increase for British soft fruit, with over 58,000 tons being consumed. This shows an overall increase of 17.2% over 2008. One of the significant rising fruits is Blueberry, a former ‘super-fruit’, which has risen by a staggering 305% on last year!!
Strawberries�have seen a steady growth in sales of 17% growth, followings last year’s poor season. The overall sales surge is partly due to the improved growing conditions that berry farmers have been experiencing. With no frosts in spring, warmer weather in summer, and good pollinating conditions, it has resulting in better quality crops.

Grape Shortage

The grape market is struggling desperately as supplies of red and white seedless from Brazil come to a premature end.
One importer told freshinfo that a host of circumstances have combined to complicate the situation further.
He said: “A lot of people anticipated problems with Greek white seedless, so programmed to finish early and get into Brazil as soon as possible. But Brazil was then forecasting a 20 per cent shortfall in volume and was sending more to the US. Growers there were having quality issues with slip skin and shattering and then heavy rains finished off what remained – about 40 per cent of the crop.”
The grape market is struggling desperately as supplies of red and white seedless from Brazil come to a premature end.
One importer told freshinfo that a host of circumstances have combined to complicate the situation further.
He said: “A lot of people anticipated problems with Greek white seedless, so programmed to finish early and ge