South America
Fresh produce industry news and analysis from South America.
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
Innovation helping hospitality supply face current pressures
Geopolitical tensions, energy and labour costs are reshaping catering and hospitality supply, and bringing new opportunities, according to Fresh Direct’s Summer Market Review
Comment: The £74 banana is a good look for fresh produce
A new campaign designed to expose over-priced cosmetics offers plenty of hope for the fruit and veg business
Tres Ases opens state-of-the-art ripening facility
New smart fruit climate control centre in Cipolletti will boost regional production and support the company’s ongoing diversification efforts
The Fresh Ideas Show: When will people eat more fruit and veg?
Mike Knowles and Maura Maxwell are joined by Chris White as they discuss a major challenge facing the fresh produce business
Pink Lady Alliance closes after 25 years of stewardship
The non-profit organisation brought together growers, marketers and licensees from major production regions worldwide
Soaring local demand keeps Colombia’s blueberry export growth in check
Around 95 per cent of the blueberries produced are now consumed domestically
Blue Skies receives King’s Award for Enterprise
Prepped fruit specialist recognised for commitment to sustainable business in prestigious royal honours list
Brazilian fruit exports jump 25 per cent in first quarter of 2026
Rise in mango and apple shipments lead export charge, with EU-Mercosur deal expected to create new opportunities for exporters
Southern Hemisphere citrus production to fall by almost 6 per cent in 2026
WCO warns of impact of Middle East war on logistics and access, as well as cost of agricultural inputs such as fertilisers
War ushers in new phase of instability in Iran
Disruptions including temporary port closures and damage to infrastructure have affected the transportation and distribution of fresh produce in Iran
Ecuadorean banana exports grow despite challenging trade outlook
Q1 shipments up almost 10 per cent at 111.57mn boxes according to Acorbanec data
Jingold reaches €100mn turnover as yellow fruit drives expansion
Italian company celebrates 25th anniversary and attributes record performance to increased production across all varieties
Varietal renewal drives recovery in Chilean apple exports
Shipments jump 46 per cent to 60,000 tonnes in first quarter of 2026, as focus shifts to quality not quantity
US market “could be worth US$800mn for Chilean cherries”
Kroger’s Patrick Haines outlines the potential for Chilean cherries in the US at Global Cherry Summit
Chilean avocado industry reports improved sustainability picture
Avocados From Chile welcomes positive results of 2025 Sustainable Impact Report
Aguirre warns of challenging outlook for Colombian bananas
Exports reached a new record last year, but 2026 is shaping up to be much tougher
Brand refresh for Chilean avocado association
Avocados From Chile is the new name of the former Chilean Hass Avocado Committee
UK citrus market feels impact of Gulf crisis
The UK market has seen a rise in citrus sales over the past year, but all eyes are now on how logistical disruptions in the Middle East are affecting trade flows
FairFruit brings year-round peas and French beans to Canada
Group now supplies sustainable specialty vegetables from Guatemala and Peru to the Canadian market through 12 months of the year
Chile curbs grape exports to US
Production issues and a greater focus on European market dent shipment volumes to US in first quarter of 2026