Latest news with #Fruitnet
The South African
20-07-2025
- Business
- The South African
How South Africa's fruit industry plans to deal with US trade tariffs
Earlier this month The South African reported on how American president Donald Trump, who had previously backed South African farmers, is now imposing tariffs that will affect their livelihoods. A 30% tariff on key exports, including citrus, wine, sugar cane, and beef, will take effect on 1 August. This will all but end the duty-free access South Africa enjoyed under the Africa Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA). While citrus exports may avoid major disruption this season, sectors like table grapes and stonefruit are facing a more immediate challenge. With their peak export seasons fast approaching, producers need to act swiftly to mitigate potential losses. South African fruit growers are hoping that late US talks might ease the trade tensions. In the meantime, exporters are being urged to diversify. 'We have to do everything we can to retain our position in the UK and Europe,' said Alwyn Dippenaar, Chairman of the South African Table Grape Industry. According to Fruitnet , markets in Asia and the Middle East are now also high on the radar. Despite recent difficulties in China for South African grape growers, renewed trade cooperation could offer a lifeline. China's move to expand free trade to 53 African countries, including South Africa, may provide much-needed relief and improved competitiveness for local fruit exporters. India, another key market, is also in focus. As such, a senior Indian delegation is expected to visit South Africa soon to fast-track a potential trade agreement. High import tariffs in India have so far hindered some product categories. In response, the local industry is rolling out awareness campaigns for South African apples, pears, citrus, and avocados in the sub-continent. A new campaign led by South African citrus growers meanwhile aims to reposition grapefruit as a vibrant summer fruit in Europe. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Farmers devastated as intense hailstorm wipes out crops: 'We are sad and disappointed that all the efforts made throughout the year result in this'
A devastating hailstorm in Lleida, Catalonia, wiped out 50,000 hectares (about 123,553 acres) of crops, reported Catalan News. Fruit trees and grains were among the crops obliterated by a swift and deadly April hailstorm. This extreme weather reduced farmers' yields to a fraction of their usual output. Salvador Nadal, a local farmer, told Catalan News, "We are sad and disappointed that all the efforts made throughout the year result in this." Fruitnet reported that an estimated 90% of fruit crops were lost in l'Horta d'Alcarràs, a region within Lleida. Pere Roqué, the president of Asaja, an agricultural organization, told Fruitnet that this storm could not only lead to widespread crop loss but job loss as well. As proven in Lleida, extreme weather events can and do damage crop yields. This has been a major cause of global food inflation in recent years, as crop production declines and temperatures rise. Unfortunately, this hailstorm is just one of many that have been pelting Spain. In 2022, ScienceNews reported that huge balls of hail rained down on La Bisbal d'Empordà. They were about five inches wide, a size that scientists deemed impossible in preindustrial times. These increasingly intense storms aren't just flukes. They are a critical climate issue, caused by planet-warming pollution. While major storms and natural disasters are common phenomena, rising global temperatures have rapidly worsened them, making them increasingly difficult to deal with. According to Catalan News, the farmers' trade union is trying to secure financial aid from the Catalan government. With the money, they would install anti-hail nets to protect their crops. At the time of writing, the funds have not yet been secured. If you would like to help on an individual level, consider donating money to climate causes. 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
03-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Local farmers scramble to salvage crops after brutal tornado outbreak: 'Now we can only hope'
Severe weather, including two tornadoes, recently ripped through southern Spain, leaving destroyed berry crops and greenhouse wreckage in its wake. With no foreseeable end to similar climate extremes, farmers are scrambling to rebuild — and bracing for what's next. Storm Laurence swept through the Huelva region of Spain in mid-March, devastating an estimated 300 to 400 hectares — or about 740 to 990 acres — of soft fruit greenhouses across several towns. Huelva is one of Europe's top hubs for soft fruit production, particularly berries. These crops are typically grown in macro-tunnels and greenhouses, which are vulnerable to strong winds and storm damage. Freshuelva — a local growers' association — reports Storm Laurence's tornadoes ripped apart produce coverings, collapsed structures onto growing plants, and twisted greenhouse ironwork. Strawberry farms suffered significant water damage, while blackberry, raspberry, and blueberry bushes were destroyed while the berries were currently in production. Even before Storm Laurence's destruction, four tornadoes had already been reported in Huelva in recent months, an unusual frequency for the region. "As far as I know, it's not normal for such an amount of tornadoes or sea sleeves to occur," Freshuelva spokesperson Rafael Domínguez Guillén said in a press release. Adding to the destruction, Fruitnet reports that 20 days of non-stop rain in the region have delayed fruit ripening and rendered 15% to 20% of local crops unmarketable. And the damage isn't limited to berries — olives, citrus, cereals, and wine grapes have also been negatively affected by recent weather. Farmers are increasingly concerned about climate instability — not just in Spain but globally. Regions worldwide are experiencing more unpredictable and severe weather driven by environmental degradation and climate shifts. The consequences are far-reaching, including reduced crop yields, higher produce prices, and serious threats to farmers' livelihoods. In Huelva, for instance, Freshuelva noted that strawberries will now require additional quality checks before reaching consumers, increasing prices overall. That is in addition to likely price hikes from reduced availability, given that 15 to 20% of strawberry crops have been rendered unmarketable. And while these price hikes may make some money back for growers, it doesn't offset the cost of lost product — and the high cost of rebuilding infrastructure post-disaster. Storm Laurence isn't just an unusual weather event — it's a climate warning. Consider it a signal of how urgent and widespread environmental degradation truly is, on your grocery bill and beyond. Do you think America has a plastic waste problem? Definitely Only in some areas Not really I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. A local growers' association is working with agricultural insurance companies to assess the damage from Storm Laurence. Farmers are already rebuilding structures to protect surviving crops, especially with more rain expected in the coming weeks. "It's raining too much, and this could lead to the appearance of diseases and problems with the harvest," Domínguez Guillén said, adding, "Now we can only hope that these will be the last rains … so that we can have a little more peace of mind than we've had so far this season." Freshuelva also highlighted that local growers have been "waiting 25 years for the construction of the Alcolea reservoir, which would have alleviated these floods and overflows." The association says the dam would also supply water to local communities often impacted by water shortages. Meanwhile, the global agricultural sector is working on making crops, including berries, more resilient to extreme weather and improving growing infrastructure, like greenhouses and macro-tunnels, to be more resilient to wind damage. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
