Africa
Fresh produce industry news and analysis from Africa.
‘Collaboration is key in fight against plastic pollution’
The food industry is the single biggest user of plastics, and if it is serious about finding solutions to plastic waste, it must work together and innovate. Here is what the Fresh Produce Impact Hub (FRESHPPACT) is doing to make that happen
April start for South African fresh produce inquiry
The intensive 15-month process may bring changes, but potentially from 2025 onwards
Good response to South African grape campaign in China
Jiangnonghui wholesale fruit market welcomes the start of the 2023 South African table grape promotion
Brexit has ‘boosted trade opportunities’ for East Africa
Kenyan export consultant says East African producers stand to benefit from competitive production and labour costs as UK importers look to keep down costs and avoid red tape
Bad weather eats into apple and pear crops
Revised forecasts indicate a more modest increase in Southern Hemisphere apple output, as well as a slight decrease in pear volumes
Uganda’s jackfruit journey
Fred Searle visits Zahra Food Industries in Uganda as the up-and-coming jackfruit supplier begins to unlock the financial potential of the country’s ‘ancestral’ trees
Bumper year for Kakuzi
Kenyan avocado and macadamia grower-exporter posts record 2022 results with China market to drive future growth
TropiWorld gets growing in exotics
Exotics specialist TropiWorld is increasingly expanding into production, as it sees demand blossom for exotic roots, vegetables and fruits
Fruit and veg shortages raise blood pressure, says study
Data-led research into availability of fresh produce and its effect on human health suggests access to fruit and veg is vital for consumers
South African stonefruit campaign is in full swing
Suppliers have been carrying out a wide range of activity in recent months across a number of UK retailers
Salix Fruits opens new office in Egypt
Haydy Shaheen, a foreign trade specialist with years of experience in the citrus business, will lead the operation
SA government offers support to citrus sector
South African authorities to support the country’s citrus industry when ot comes to access in Far East and South East Asia
Hex River Valley grape volumes down
South Africa’s late table grape region in the Hex River Valley is expected to conclude its harvest during the next two weeks
Asiafruit March out now
New Zealand special explores how premium supplier is well placed to weather recent storms while Fresh Focus South African Table Grapes tracks industry refocus on quality and taste
Oppy expands South African plum portfolio
After a near-decade hiatus, new opportunities emerge in the US market for plums from South Africa
Avocado balancing act
Fred Searle talks to Paul Devlin and Ayanda Kanana of South African avocado grower and global marketer Halls to hear how they think the industry should respond to the likelihood of an oversupplied global market in 2023
New label for Moroccan Nadorcott
The Moroccan Nadorcott’s new label, “Nadorine, Naturally Low Seed”, highlights the origin and authenticity of the country’s unique mandarin, says APNM
Moderate growth forecast for Southern African citrus
At best, the Southern African citrus export crop will show only a small increase in 2023
South African grape season nears its end
South Africa’s late table grape region in the Hex River Valley is expected to conclude its harvest by the end of March
Aldi scales up Fairtrade flower-worker scheme
Aldi boosts commitment to flower workers in Ethiopia through Fairtrade women’s empowerment programme
Challenging times for Tru-Cape
Hail in key production areas is just one of the issues affecting the apple and pear leader this season
Fairtrade Premium is ‘critical step’ towards living wage for banana workers
Certification scheme plays key role in supporting retailers to meet their recently announced living wage commitments, according to report by Fairtrade Foundation
French government recalls Tunisian oranges
Consumer protection site Rappel Conso issues alert over banned pesticide on Maltaise oranges, which were sold in several different supermarket chains across the country
Charting Namibia’s grape growth
Andre Vermaak speaks at this year’s Global Grape Congress about the rise of Namibia’s table grape business and the opportunities for future growth
Moroccan tomatoes continue expansion
Morocco’s ministry of agriculture is prioritising tomato supplies to the domestic market in order to control prices, but rising production will also help meet international demand
Power problems for South African citrus
With EU citrus regulations an ongoing problem, the industry has now been hurt by the country’s electricity supply issues
Looking up for Egyptian grapes
The depreciation of the Egyptian pound is exacerbating rising costs for Egyptian firms, but progress on new varieties is good news for Egypt, says Karim Fayed, operations manager at Fata Farms
South African avocado export crop to increase
Following a disappointing 2022 season, the industry expects a rise in volumes this year
UK is ‘missing opportunities’ to import from Uganda
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni calls on Britain to invest in Ugandan fruit and vegetable production but stresses the need for value addition at source
Moroccan associations respond to UK tomato shortage
Apefel and Amcom say unusual temperature fluctuations to blame for shortening of tomato supplies from Morocco, as effects of climate change increasingly affecting region
Shortages force retailers to ration fresh produce
UK supermarkets are rationing fresh fruit and vegetables in stores as crop shortages leave shelves empty
Kakuzi hosts Dalian Yidu Group
Kenyan avocado exporter reveals plans to ramp up exports following visit from Chinese importer
Major tomato shortages as Morocco faces ‘perfect storm’
Flooding, cold temperatures and cancelled ferries have caused significant supply problems in Moroccan tomatoes, according to importers
Gary Marshall calls for major industry rethink
NCGM wholesaler says supply chains need to place more value on fresh produce and “develop a collective sense of realism” as the trade contends with supply shortages and astronomical spot prices
Fresh produce probe in South Africa
South Africa is known as an important international supplier of fresh produce, but it also has a large local consumer market
Weather volatility is 'wiping the floor' with inflation
Extreme weather events are principal cause of industry’s chronic supply shortages and sky-high spot prices, according to Tim O’Malley of Nationwide Produce
