Spain - Far fewer stone fruits than in other years

10.08.2022 1002 views

This year's Spanish stone fruit season did not go well, says Paul van Groningen van Greenfood Iberica. "It was hard to plan ahead, which made it very difficult to fill out programs. That resulted in last-minute day trading."

"The low availability means grower prices weren't always in line with the prices retailers charge. So, for us as traders, it wasn't an easy stone fruit season. The cherries did run pretty well overall. These were excellent quality."

"Peaches and nectarines will still be available until late August / early September. But there will be some holes in the supply. We have flat peaches for about four more weeks. We haven't had apricots for a few weeks. Plums are readily available, though," says Paul.

"Nevertheless, I'm not generally entirely dissatisfied. We sold considerably lower volumes than in other years, but the overall quality was good. We mainly have melons now and are busy preparing for the winter season, which can be challenging too."

"It's also almost time for the Spanish walnut season," adds Paul, who visited a grower recently. "We're preparing the season for winter. The trees are in good shape and full of nuts. We expect a good harvest, And with the current dollar/euro exchange rate, the European product, which has significantly better quality than the US imported walnuts,  quickly becomes more interesting," he concludes.

Source - https://www.freshplaza.com

25.05.2026

Algeria - CASH Assurances to diversify into agriculture insurance

CASH Assurances will launch agriculture insurance plans in June 2026, as part of its diversification strategy.

25.05.2026

U.S. specialty crop growers push for stronger Farm Bill support

Specialty crop growers in the U.S. are calling for stronger support measures in the 2026 Farm Bill, particularly around risk management, market access, and crop insurance. 

25.05.2026

ASF outbreak leaves Bhutan piggery farmers with heavy losses

For piggery farmers in Damzhagsa, the African Swine Fever outbreak did more than wipe out their animals, it also wiped out a major source of income while leaving many of them with loans to pay and no clear way to recover – putting insurance in the spotlight.

25.05.2026

Australia - RoBird takes to the skies to protect $100m strawberry crops from the real thing

RoBird is now flying around Moreton Bay skies to protect the city’s $100 million strawberry industry from the real deal.

25.05.2026

India - 1.75 Lakh Hectares of Crops Damaged as Cyclone ‘Dana’ Hits Coastal Odisha

In Odisha, the severe cyclonic storm ‘Dana’ has badly damaged agriculture and property in the coastal districts of Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, and Jagatsinghpur. 

25.05.2026

USA - National Pennsylvania Seeks USDA Disaster Aid After Crop Freeze

Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture to issue a Secretarial Disaster Designation for all counties in the commonwealth after late spring freezes caused widespread damage to fruit and specialty crop farms, with industry losses estimated between $150 million and $200 million.

24.05.2026

Severe Hailstorm and Flooding Devastate Farmland in Central Greece

Torrential rain, strong winds and intense hail battered rural communities, leaving thousands of acres of agricultural land flooded or heavily damaged as authorities assess the extent of the losses.

24.05.2026

USA - Long Island oyster operations look to bounce back after winter temperatures cause severe damage

"This winter was unprecedented, weather-wise - at least in my lifetime," said Peeko Oysters owner Peter Stein.