Latest news with #FreshPlaza
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Farmers devastated as unexpected conditions wipe out prized crops: 'We are seeing significant losses'
Unseasonal weather has caused major damage to mango crops across South Asia, particularly in India and Pakistan. Pollution-fueled climate extremes are largely to blame, slashing yields and leaving farmers struggling. FreshPlaza reported that thunderstorms and strong winds have led to widespread fruit drop in India, especially affecting popular mango varieties like Alphonso and Kesar. This has resulted in crop losses of around 30-35%, per the outlet. Local governments are now assessing damage in farming districts, while some farmers have opted to harvest early to avoid further losses. Fallen mangoes are being sold at lower prices to pulp factories, reducing overall profits. "We are seeing significant losses, with many mangoes falling before harvest," Dinesh Paladiya, joint director of horticulture in the Surat Range, told FreshPlaza. FreshPlaza added that mango yields in Pakistan have been slashed by up to 50% due to a volatile combination of heavy storms, fluctuating temperatures, and prolonged drought. An abrupt drop in nighttime temperatures caused vital blossoms to wither and die, while heat waves stunted fruit development. As a result, many mangoes are undersized and late to ripen. These delays have forced some contractors to cancel purchasing agreements, adding financial strain to growers. Unseasonal and extreme weather, which is fueled by pollution-driven changes to the climate, is directly impacting mango production, and these disruptions have far-reaching economic consequences. Mango farming supports the livelihoods of millions of farmers in India and Pakistan. When weather events damage crops, it can devastate rural economies and cut into already low agricultural incomes. Mangoes are a widely traded fruit globally, and crop shortages can lead to reduced availability, higher prices, and lower fruit quality worldwide. While a shortage of one fruit might not seem like a major concern, the issue runs deeper — extreme climate shifts are impacting crops far beyond mangoes. Due to climate instability, farmers globally are facing decreased yields across a wide variety of crops, which impacts grocery bills. Importantly, mangoes also hold cultural and culinary significance in many countries, including India and Pakistan. Disruptions to the mango season can affect traditions, festivals, and the availability of the regionally beloved fruit. Do you worry about how much food you throw away? Definitely Sometimes Not really Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Governments in both India and Pakistan have launched initiatives to modernize agricultural practices by promoting climate-resilient technologies and sustainable farming, hoping to have a positive impact on production. At the same time, researchers continue to develop more resilient crop varieties designed to better withstand the impacts of the changing climate. That work has extended into mango farming specifically, where more forgiving varieties of the fruit are being developed. According to Energy Innovation, farmers around the world are also turning to crop insurance to help protect themselves from the growing financial risks of unpredictable weather. Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Morocco World
4 days ago
- Business
- Morocco World
Spain Invests €481 million in Imports of Morocco's Fruits and Vegetables in Q1
Rabat – Spain imported 188,076 tons of fruits and vegetables from Morocco in the first quarter of 2025, spending a total of € 481 million. The produce imported from Morocco has increased in volume by 24% and in value by 23% compared to the same period last year, according to new data from the agriculture-focused website FreshPlaza. The same source forecasts a continuous trend in the import of Morocco's goods to Spain, citing data from Fepex, which detailed that the import volume of Moroccan goods to Spanish shelves increased in volume by 20% in the last five years. This means that the imports went from 156,229 tons in January to March of 2021 to 188,076 tons within the same period in 2025. The value also increased by 54%, from €311 million to € 481 million. Tomatoes top the list of Moroccan produce imported by Spain, followed by pepper and green beans. General vegetable exports went from 24,118 tons in the first quarter of 2024 to 32,313 tons in the same period in 2025. This represents a 34% increase. Moroccan tomato imports have led to a displacement of Spanish tomatoes. This is partially because the entry prices, established in the EU's Association Agreement with Morocco, have become obsolete – not fulfilling their function of protecting the EU market – and therefore boosting imports. Several reports have highlighted Morocco's leadership in tomato exports, a market that now spans 6 countries, with the UK alone representing 18% of the total. Demand for Morocco's produce, however, has been met with backlash and frustration from European producers. Several videos have surfaced online, showing trucks loading Moroccan vegetables and fruits vandalized by European farmers in different countries, especially France and Spain. Farmers argue that these acts are in protest against what they perceive as 'unfair' competition from non-European countries. Tags: agricultural exportsfood imports
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Farmers devastated after rare freeze wipes out nearly every crop: 'In a scary predicament at the moment'
Extreme weather is wreaking havoc in Romania, causing damage to essential stone fruit. Fresh Plaza recently reported that consecutive freezing temperatures and frost have impacted harvest yields for the season. Cold temperatures as low as 17 degrees Fahrenheit have hit Romania and lasted an entire week, according to Bogdan Baianu, CEO and co-founder of Romanian fresh produce exporter Cerasus Grup Romania. While Romania is not a stranger to these types of drops in temperature, frosts have never lasted five straight days. As a result, stone fruits such as cherries, peaches, nectarines, apricots, and plums endured high levels of stress, according to Baianu. For peaches, about 90-100% of crops "have been wiped out," and for cherries, about 70-80% of the harvest has been lost across Romania. Baianu explained to FreshPlaza that the "freezing conditions have had a devastating effect on the stone fruit production in Romania." Extreme weather has been impacting crops across the globe, making our food supply more vulnerable and scarce. Farmers around the world have been trying to combat rising global temperatures, more frequent droughts, and, in this case, sudden temperature drops. For farmers, extreme weather threatens their livelihood, making it increasingly challenging to yield successful harvests. As countries continue to rely on polluting energy sources, extreme weather will continue to impact our food supply. For consumers, extreme weather can cause grocery prices to increase. In South Africa, for example, food prices have skyrocketed due to prolonged droughts. In Romania, farmers are advocating for assistance from the government. "The Romanian growers are in a scary predicament at the moment, and as an organisation we're trying to put some pressure on the government," Baianu told FreshPlaza. "We're asking them to help out these growers, as the current losses would be devastating for them if they don't receive any help from our Ministry," he added. What is the biggest reason you don't grow food at home? Not enough time Not enough space It seems too hard I have a garden already Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Farmers scramble to protect one of the world's most iconic crops from failure — here's what you need to know
Brazil's iconic Citrus Belt — one of the world's top orange-producing regions — is facing its second-smallest harvest in nearly four decades. Experts blame climate shifts for the disappointing season, a growing concern for farmers around the world. The 2024-2025 orange season in Brazil ended with a total production of 230.87 million boxes weighing 90 pounds apiece. While this official estimate sounds like a large quantity, it's the second-smallest crop in the past 37 years. The culprit: climate shifts. FreshPlaza reported that the official total is a 0.65% drop from the initial estimate of 232.38 million boxes predicted at the beginning of the season and a 24.85% decrease from the previous season's 307.22 million boxes. Experts attribute the reduced yield primarily to poor climate conditions, including prolonged drought, unusually high temperatures, and a delayed fourth bloom. Between May and August 2024, rainfall was 31% below expected levels and temperatures were 3 to 4 degrees Celsius higher than the 1991-2020 average. Overall, the season saw an average rainfall 20% below the historical average. Despite the weather challenges, FreshPlaza highlighted that the "late but significant" fourth bloom helped mitigate overall losses. However, premature fruit drop — largely driven by citrus greening, a bacterial disease worsened by heat and drought — led to an estimated loss of 50 million boxes. Pests such as fruit flies further compounded the damage. Brazil's citrus crop struggles highlight broader challenges facing the agricultural industry due to rising global temperatures. As pollution-driven climate shifts intensify, farmers around the world are grappling with increasingly unpredictable weather patterns, including rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, and erratic rainfall. These conditions make it harder to maintain healthy crops, which lowers yields, raises produce prices, and destabilizes farmer livelihoods. It's also important to note that citrus farming has a high environmental impact. Farming these particular crops requires significant water and energy, so when crops fail or are lost to disease, those resources are effectively wasted. This reality underscores the urgent need for more sustainable and resilient farming practices — and the importance of planet-conscious living overall. Do you worry about how much food you throw away? Definitely Sometimes Not really Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Farmers in Brazil use a range of practices to keep their citrus trees healthy and productive. Unfortunately, they often use pesticides and fertilizers to combat citrus greening, which can pollute nearby ecosystems and harm wildlife. But there are alternatives. Farmers have also seen success removing sick trees, using protective enclosures, and employing good sanitation practices such as clearing fallen fruit and debris. Meanwhile, scientists are working to develop more effective, less costly ways to treat the disease. To protect against unseasonable weather, farmers use wind machines, sprinklers, and heaters to maintain proper temperatures and protect fruit. Drip irrigation, mulching, and soil testing can also help ensure that rising global temperatures don't negatively impact soil health. The Brazilian government is offering financial assistance to farmers struggling with citrus greening, which is costly to treat and prevent. According to Energy Innovation, many farmers are also investing in crop insurance to mitigate the financial risk associated with increasingly unpredictable weather. At the same time, more resilient crop varieties are being developed and introduced into citrus farming to better withstand planetary warming and its impacts. Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Farmers issue warning as prices skyrocket for staple food item: 'Shift in market dynamics'
Over the past year, irregular weather conditions have caused the American walnut supply to plummet while consumer demand remains high. As a result, ever since the summer of 2024, walnut prices have skyrocketed. In March, Expana released a graph charting walnut production against its price over the past four years. Due to the recent decline in production, the price of walnuts per pound has exceeded $4 for the first time since 2021. Although production and sales flourished into early 2024, farmers have since been unable to keep up with rising walnut demand, per FreshPlaza. Thanks to the record-high temperatures last summer and the La Niña weather patterns this winter, walnut production for the 2024-2025 season is 11% lower than the USDA forecast in September. Farmers have also reduced their acreage for walnuts — especially in California, which once contributed more than half the world's walnuts. "From September 2023 to August 2024, growers in the Golden State have removed approximately 18,000 acres with nearly 10,000 more acres under high stress and abandoned," reported Terrain Agriculture. As walnuts remain scarce, their prices have inflated to push back against the climbing demand. They now sell for over $4 per pound as of February, Expana recorded, up from around $2.25 a year ago. "The shift in market dynamics has been sizable enough that the price has risen steadily for nearly a year," Terrain Agriculture elaborated. According to the DFA of California, the walnut industry yields over $1 billion annually for California revenue. Consequently, walnut shortages could reflect in the state's overall economy, leading to budget cuts and job insecurity in the agricultural sector. The walnut crisis is only a symptom of the greater progression of climate change, however, and walnuts aren't the only crop to suffer. At an international scale, plums, potatoes, and soybeans are also feeling the effects of rising temperatures, among many others to varying degrees. To protect our food supply, researchers are looking into drought-friendly agricultural methods and weather-resistant crops such as chickpeas that can sustain our human population even as the planet becomes warmer. If you want to avoid lofty grocery prices altogether over the coming years, growing your own food can help. Do you worry about how much food you throw away? Definitely Sometimes Not really Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Since carbon dioxide pollution is clogging up our atmosphere and driving temperatures higher by holding in more heat like a thin blanket, policies and technologies that foreground renewable energy are key to mitigating global warming. From international climate projects to local anti-fuel initiatives to the appliances in your own home, every eco-conscious decision can add up. Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
