Lviv region expands vegetable crop area by 50% over a decade

Over the past 10 years, the share of vegetable crops in the total sown area of the Lviv region has grown from 3.9% to 5.8%, a 50% increase. The data were published by Ihor Dydiv, associate professor at the Lviv National University of Natural...

Trump confirms August 1 tariffs on key trade partners

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has responded to a letter from U.S. President Donald Trump threatening higher import duties unless a new trade agreement is reached, reaffirming Japan's commitment to continued negotiations. Speaking on...

Daily grape consumption improves muscle strength markers in postmenopausal women

A new study¹ from the University of California, Davis, published in the peer-reviewed journal Food & Function, provides the first clinical evidence showing that regular consumption of grapes – just 1 ½ cups per day – can improve muscle strength...

Obituary Mila Nijhof

On 6 July 2025, Mila Nijhof (formerly Den Engelsman) passed away at the age of 51. Mila came to the Netherlands as a young woman and, at the age of 22, joined Minnaar Holland as a native Russian speaker, marking the start of her long career in the...

"This week Wimbledon banned avocados and replaced them with crushed peas on toast!"

Stephen Francis - Fen Peas: The planting of the pea crop in the UK finished up in mid-May, which is around normal according to Stephen Francis from Fen Peas. "All of the crop was well established, but we have had no meaningful rain since. "The...

"We want to enrich the healthy snack segment with colorful and milder radishes"

Want to brighten up a salad with a fresh flavor? Add crunchy radish. The contrast between its red skin and white flesh also adds a pop of color to that summer dish. But not everyone is a fan. For some, radishes taste too sharp. That calls for...

HortWeek helps to choose 2025 office plant of the year

Strong demand keeps prices on the rise for Catalonia's stone fruit

The stone fruit campaign is currently in full swing in Catalonia, with average prices around 25% higher than at this same time last year due to strong demand in Europe and a moderate supply from the producing countries of the Mediterranean arc....

"The market will not be flooded with mangoes like last seasons"

The Egyptian mango season has begun amid high demand from several markets, but logistical complications are increasing transport costs. This is according to Haitham El Saadany of Sadat Agro Fruit. The exporter says: "We expect better commercial...

Seald Sweet appoints co-CEO

Greenyard USA/Seald Sweet has appointed Andrea Montagna as co-chief executive officer, effective July 1, 2025. This leadership addition marks a new chapter in the company's journey. The introduction of the co-CEO structure is part of a thoughtful,...

“Tight supply could spike Chilean kiwi prices”

India's kiwi imports are growing steadily, driven by increasing consumer demand for quality fruit. Retailers are showing increased awareness of quality parameters like firmness, sweetness, and origin-specific characteristics, reflecting a maturing...

European potato demand weak, quality declines

Potato Market Report 9th July: Retail sales and consumption trends remain largely unchanged this week. High temperatures forecast over the weekend will not alleviate consumption challenges. Even though demand is slow, good-quality packing material...

Expanded demand for retractable roof solutions has prompted website re-design

For more than 40 years, Cravo Equipment has been designing and manufacturing automatic retractable roof solutions. "They have been shaped by decades of research and collaboration on projects across six continents," says Cravo's President Richard...

Launch of large-scale robotic mushroom harvesting and scanning system

Canadian Mycionics has launched its robotic mushroom harvesting and scanning system with South Mill Champs. A rigorous six-month pilot proved an economically viable solution to the industry's pressing labour challenges. Employing a hybrid...

Ukrainian company harvests up to 100 tons of cherries daily

The horticultural enterprise of Grinora Fruit (Vinnytsia region, Ukraine) is harvesting up to 100 tons of sour cherries per day, primarily from the Kelleris and Lutovka varieties. This was reported by the company's chief agronomist, Yurii Ovchar,...

California Pear Yields Set for Strong Comeback in 2025

After a challenging 2024 season, the California pear industry is poised for a major rebound. Growers across the state anticipate harvesting 2.4 million 36-pound box equivalents in 2025—a 41% increase from last year’s five-year low of just 1.7...

EFSA: Risks of avian influenza spread into Europe via trade

The seasonal migration of wild birds and the importation of certain US products – such as those containing raw milk – could be potential routes for introducing the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) genotype currently affecting US dairy cows...

Global vitamins market under pressure – vitamin E price decline accelerates

The global vitamins market, led by continued declines in Vitamin E, remains under downward pricing pressure due to stable supply, cautious demand, and aggressive competition – particularly from China. Despite ongoing plant maintenance and the...

Wimbledon tennis expansion meets High Court action

Plant Heritage names Threatened Plant of the Year winners

This year’s competition winner was a delphinium, while the visitor choice winner from RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival was collected at Dasyueshan in Taiwan and named after Diane Doughty and nursery partner Sue Wynn-Jones.