South America
Fresh produce industry news and analysis from South America.
Ecuador brings together global experts to combat TR4
Strategies to fight the disease was the key theme at this year’s Banana Time Machala conference
Eosta targets fresh juice growth with organic ‘rain-grown’ oranges
Netherlands-based organic importer-marketer is focusing on supermarket juice machines for its Peruvian citrus
Family Tree Farms celebrates 18-year Mountain Blue Orchards partnership
Family Tree Farms retains exclusive rights to programme’s original varieties as partnership evolves
AgroBerries Group expands global blueberry offer with Mountain Blue Orchards
New licensing agreements cover China, Mexico, the US, Canada and Peru
Southampton set to install two of Europe’s largest quay cranes
Port operator DP World says £60m investment will boost capacity and future-proof operations at one of UK’s largest container terminals
Chile eyes export opportunities in the Philippines
Fresh fruit expected to become an increasingly important trade commodity between the two nations
Rijk Zwaan opens tropical breeding station in Brazil
The Dutch breeding specialist’s new 40ha facility in Mogi Mirim is an investment in developing varieties tailored to tropical conditions
Argentine lemon exports surge in first four months of 2026
Sector puts in its best performance in two decades, reflecting good crop and strong recovery in international demand
Peruvian dragon fruit exports on the rise
Increase in shipments in first four months of the year reflect the fruit’s growing popularity with European consumers
The Fresh Ideas Show: El Niño and Trump create waves of disruption
Mike Knowles and Maura Maxwell consider the potential impact of a Super El Niño and continued geopolitical tensions
Tough times for Argentinean citrus growers
Rising costs and falling prices have apparently left many small farms at risk of closure
Importers urged to consider impact of checks on non-EU produce
Checks on imports from the rest of the world could raise food prices and jeopardise ‘just in time’ supply, while spreading risk across shipping lines and ports is helping suppliers take control, Festival of Fresh delegates told
Uncertainty surrounds Peru blueberry exports ahead of new season
Proarándanos says it will only issue short-term forecasts for forthcoming campaign due to unstable climatic conditions
Study flags up danger of ‘El Niño Godzilla’ to Chilean berries
Researchers advise growers to install netting and polytunnels, and to prioritise heat-resistant varieties
Mission reports Q2 loss amid avocado price decline
Avocado marketer and producer posted a net loss of US$7.2mn for Q2 2026, with revenue down 24 per cent year-on-year to US$290.9mn
Brazilian producers target India’s booming import market
Delegation of avocado, lime and apple growers travelled to the Asian country to meet with importers and retailers
Chile sets sights on North African markets
Frutas de Chile has identified Morocco as a key strategic market and gateway to other African countries
New international network brings together protected horticulture sector
Wageningen University has launched a new membership network for those working in controlled and protected horticulture to share best practice and the latest research from around the world
Orange juice demand set to fall despite lower prices
Global consumption is projected to continue a decade-long decline in 2026/27, according to Rabobank
Nefuen and Grupo Hijuelas inaugurate new hazelnut plant in Osorno
Facility aims to transform region into a strategic hub for the processing and export of hazelnuts
Strong start for Peruvian avocado exports
Shipments up 7.1 per cent in volume to week 20 and projected to grow 3.16 per cent in the whole year
Soviet-era cafe shot wins World Food Photo Awards
World Food Photography Award winners highlight power of food stories and the essential role of food in communities across the world
Redfox and Agri Frontier join forces to fill international talent shortage
Partnership aims to tackle outpaced demand for senior positions in rapidly growing markets where agri investment has overtaken supply of senior managers
TR4 shifts banana production map in Peru
Thousands of farmers are moving to new areas in the north of the country to escape the devastating impact of Fusarium wilt
Chilean avocado output exceeds expectations
Production grew to 265,000 tonnes in 2025/26, thanks to improved growing techniques and favourable weather conditions
Asbama slams government plans to cut banana production
Union warns that limiting banana production would affect more than 18,000 families in Colombia’s Caribbean region
Ecuador banana business on red alert as El Niño looms
As export growth slows, country’s growers and exporters face up to container shortages, deteriorating infrastructure, and climate change
Copefrut to roll out Sinclair’s compostable T55 label
Chilean company partners with labelling specialist Sinclair to utilise the world’s first fruit label certified for both home and industrial composting
Chilean citrus exports projected to grow 6 per cent in 2026
Citrus committee pegs this year’s export crop at 530,000 tonnes, with lemons and oranges leading growth
Asocolblue launches Colombian blueberry brand
New label will help differentiate Colombia’s national offer
EU apple campaign lands in Alimentec 2026
Colombia is becoming an increasingly attractive market for EU apple exporters
In pictures: Ronald Bown, 1945-2026
Bown, who has died aged 80, was a leading figure in the global fresh produce business for almost four decades
Oranges and chickpeas will be ‘viable UK crops’ under warming climate
Water storage, adaption to sustainable farming and increased domestic production are critical if the UK is to maintain farming viability and food security, according to government climate report
‘Lots of demand, not enough of the right supply’ in mangoes
Lewey Hook, the technical director at SHP Tropical, gives FPJ a brief round-up of some of the key developments affecting mango supply to the UK
LatAm growers braced for possible Super El Niño
Scientists say this year’s weather event could shape up to be the strongest in living memory
Climate challenges and citrus greening cut Brazilian citrus output
Fundecitrus anticipates a 13 per cent drop in production for 2026/27