Archive For The “News” Category
Providing food for astronauts during missions not only entails logistic issues but is also quite expensive. This is why scientists at UC Riverside are working on conquering the last frontier for agriculture: Space.
A compact version of a tomato plant developed at the university is expected to reach truly astronomical heights, setting a course for the International Space Station, orbiting some 260 miles above Earth.
The plant is now undergoing observations at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, and its seeds are in line for a payload flight within the next year or so.
Its voyage will be a generational first: The seeds will germinate in the station’s Advanced Plant Habitat laboratory, produce fruit, and the seeds of that fruit will be planted again to create a second generation of tomatoes grown in space.
“So, it’s going to be a seed-to-a-seed-to-a-seed, which has never been done before in space,” said Robert Jinkerson, an associate professor of chemical and environmental engineering in UCR’s Marlan and Rosemary Bourns College of Engineering.
The tomato is designed to produce fruit in small spaces so it can be a food source for astronauts. It has been years in the making.
Martha Orozco-Cárdenas, director of the Plant Transformation Research Center in UCR’s College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, used CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technology to downsize ordinary tomato plants and reduce the ratio of leaves and stems to fruit.
With support from an $800,000 grant from the NASA-funded Translational Research Institute for Space Health, Orozco-Cárdenas, and Jinkerson further engineered and evaluated the plants to determine their “space-worthiness”.
Dubbed Small Plants for Space Expeditions (SPACE) by the researchers, the technology could be applied to other plants to develop a suite of crops for
agriculture on the International Space Station and future space colonies.
The US has solidified its position as the world’s largest producer, exporter, and consumer of pistachios, driven by expanding pistachio-bearing acreage and resilient orchards.
According to a recent RaboResearch report, the US pistachio industry is poised for a significant supply increase, making marketing innovation and health research crucial to maintaining price stability. The adoption of economically sustainable practices will continue to ensure positive margins for efficient operators.
Pistachio production expands
Over the past two decades, pistachios have consistently offered higher gross returns per bearing acre than almonds and walnuts in California. With average gross returns of USD 6,400 per acre over the past decade, pistachios have outperformed almonds and walnuts by 20% and 70%, respectively.
This profitability, coupled with the resilience of pistachio orchards to salinity and drought, has spurred rapid planting growth since 2012. From 2011 to 2023, California’s pistachio-planted area increased by over 372,000 acres, with projections suggesting a bearing area of 590,000 acres by 2028. However,
industry-wide challenges, such as the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) in California, are expected to limit new plantings, signaling a shift from rapid growth to a maturity stage in production.
US dominates global pistachio production
Since 2016/17, the US has been the undisputed leader in global pistachio production, accounting for 63% of global output in 2023/24.
“This growth is a result of steadily expanding bearing acreage, with the US outpacing the other major producer, Iran,” explains David Magaña, Senior Analyst – Fresh produce and tree nuts for RaboResearch. In 2023/24, Turkey and Iran accounted for 15% and 14% of the global pistachio crop, respectively. The US pistachio production grew at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10% over the past decade, significantly higher than the global CAGR of 5%.
US also leads the way in pistachio consumption
The US has also become the largest consumer of pistachios since 2019/20, surpassing previous leaders like Turkey and the EU. US pistachio consumption soared from 41,500 metric tons in 2005 to 225,000 metric tons in 2023/24. Key drivers of this demand include product and packaging innovations, health research, promotional efforts, and the availability of high-quality products year-round.
The four key markets for pistachios are the US, Turkey, China, and the EU, which account altogether for 72% of global pistachio consumption.
“It’s interesting to highlight that over the past decade, pistachio consumption has increased in the US, Turkey, China, and the EU, expanding at CAGRS of 13%, 7%, 5%, and 6%, respectively,” says Magaña. “In India, a country that absorbs 4% of world’s pistachios, consumption has expanded at 11% CAGR in the past ten seasons.”
US leads exports, while China, the EU, Turkey, and India absorb majority of imports
The US has emerged as the dominant exporter of pistachios, with exports reaching a record 390,000 metric tons in 2023/24, representing 70% of global exports. Consistent quality and food safety standards have given US pistachios a competitive edge in the global market.
Major importers include China, the EU, Turkey, and India, with Middle Eastern markets also showing significant growth in the past decade. Market development and expansion will be critical to absorb the upcoming increasing pistachio volumes.
Diversifying markets to minimize risks
According to Magaña, the US pistachio industry’s success is partly due to its ability to identify and serve international markets efficiently. China, in particular, is a crucial market, especially in the season leading up to the Chinese New Year. However, heavy reliance on a single market poses geopolitical risks, highlighting the need for market diversification and improved access.
GOTHENBURG, Sweden — The electrification of heavy trucks is continuing across the world and longer distances are now becoming a possibility.
Next year Volvo will launch a new long-range version of its FH Electric that will be able to reach up to 600 km (372.8 miles) on one charge. This will allow transport companies to operate electric trucks on interregional and long-distance routes and to drive a full working day without having to recharge. The new Volvo FH Electric will be released for sale during the second half of 2025.
“Our new electric flagship will be a great complement to our wide range of electric trucks and enable zero-exhaust emission transport also for the longer distances. It will be a great solution for transport companies with a high annual mileage on their trucks and with a strong commitment to reduce CO2,” says Roger Alm, President Volvo Trucks.
Five years of electric leadership
The enabler for the 600 km range is Volvo’s new driveline technology, the so-called e-axle, which creates space for significantly more battery capacity onboard. More efficient batteries, a further improved battery management system and overall efficiency of the powertrain also contribute to the extended range.
Volvo Trucks is a global leader in medium- and heavy-duty electric trucks with eight battery-electric models in their portfolio. The wide product range makes it possible to electrify city and regional distribution, construction, waste management and, soon, long distance transport. Volvo has so far delivered more than 3,800 electric trucks to customers in 46 countries around the world.
“The transport sector represents seven percent of global carbon emissions. Battery-electric trucks are important tools to reduce the climate footprint. Besides the important environmental gains that electric trucks bring, they offer truck drivers a much better working environment, with much lower levels of noise and vibrations,” says Roger Alm.
Volvo Trucks drives the transition towards fossil-free transport to reach its net-zero emissions target by 2040 using a three-path technology strategy. The three-path technology approach is built on battery electric, fuel cell electric and combustion engines that run on renewable fuels like green hydrogen, biogas or HVO (Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil).
Peruvian agricultural exports totaled $1.247 billion in August 2024, 40 percent higher than in the same month of the previous year, according to Agraria.
This increase occurs in a complicated context for global trade in agriculture to the logistical difficulties on the routes that connect Southeast Asia with Europe and due to the various climatic complications in the main agricultural exporting countries.
Curiously, it was these difficulties that allowed coffee, avocado, and cocoa to find very favorable prices, and thus tip the balance towards positive results for Peru.
The most exported product by Peru in August was coffee, with 40,238 tons worth $302 million. This meant a 57 percent growth in volume and 195 percent in value compared to the same month in 2023. This increase was accompanied by an increase in price (+87 percent) which reached an average of $7.51 per kilogram. The good moment of Peruvian coffee responds to the decreasing expectations of Brazilian production and the fall in shipments of production from Vietnam, two large global suppliers.
In second place was blueberry, with a total of 22,100 tons worth $168 million, which meant a growth of 2 percent in volume, but with a fall of 1 percent in value. The country’s leading product didn’t have a positive result in the month prior to the start of the export peak (late September and October) because the price fell 3 percent, reaching an average of $7.60 per kilogram.
Avocado ranked third with 67,786 tons worth $149 million, representing a reduction of 21 percent in volume and 1 percent in value. The 25 percent increase in price almost offset the decrease in volume. A high cost ($2.20 per kilogram) in the last stage of the campaign was made possible by the reduction in the quality of Mexican avocados and the harsh weather conditions faced by domestic production in the US.
Cocoa surprised by sneaking into fourth place with 20,325 tons worth $127 million. The 74 percent growth in volume and 196 percent in value put cocoa among the leaders, something that is not common. The price shot up by more than 70 percent, being on average $6.26 per kilogram. The fall in cocoa production in West Africa and the shortage that this generated in the main markets of the world explained the rise in costs.
Finally, mandarin, with 56,012 tons worth $73 million, reached fifth place. Thanks to the boom in later varieties, an increase of almost 8 percent in volume and 13 percent in value was achieved. Regarding the price, this increased by 5 percent to reach an average of $1.30 per kilogram.
The main destination of Peruvian agricultural products in August was Europe, with almost 47 percent of the share. This prominence was due to the strong appreciation of coffee and cocoa, whose main destination is the U.S., with 31 percent of the share, but it is waiting for the takeoff of the blueberry campaign to gain more prominence; while China, with almost 4 percent of the share, is unlikely to gain more space until the grape campaign begins.
In the year-to-date, Peruvian agricultural exports total $6.65 billion, 26 percent above 2023. The price boost of some products and the gradual recovery in volumes promise a fairly positive year-end. The peaks of the blueberry and grape campaigns will mark the final result.
EarthFresh Farms has purchased Houston-based MountainKing Potatoes, effective Sept. 25, according to a press release from EarthFresh.
“We believe that there are great synergies between our two companies that include exclusive varietal potatoes, innovative packaging and products, expanded organic offerings, customer analytics and an expanded supply of fresh potatoes” Tom Hughes, president and CEO of EarthFresh Farms, said in a news release. “Our combined team will consist of over 400 employees dedicated to servicing our customers.”
Established in 1963, EarthFresh is a North American produce company specializing in potatoes, carrots and onions. With the completion of this transaction, EarthFresh now has nine packing facilities in Georgia, Texas, Colorado, Ontario, and Prince Edward Island, according to the release.
With the expanded packing locations, EarthFresh said it will be able to service North American customers within 24 hours from its packing facilities. The company said it will maintain proven MountainKing brands that include premium products like Steakhouse Russets, Butter Golds, Butter Reds and Butter Russets.
Idaho and Oregon are unrivaled when it comes to U.S. onion growing, packing and shipping regions.
Idaho domestic truck shipments in 2023 amounted to 575.2 million pounds, with export truck shipments from the state accounting for 24.4 million pounds. Oregon was close behind, with the state accounting for 385.8 million pounds of domestic truck shipments and 44.3 million pounds of export truck shipments.
Idaho’s combined domestic and export truck shipments of onions totaled over 599 million pounds in 2023, up 16% from 515.9 million pounds in 2022. Oregon’s combined domestic and export shipments topped 429 million pounds in 2023, up 8% from 398 million pounds in 2022.
Idaho and Oregon shippers loaded onions every month of 2023, with peak supply from September through April.
In 2023, Idaho accounted for 14% of the U.S. domestic shipments and Oregon accounted for 10%.
Together the states accounted for about 1 in 4 domestic onions shipped in 2023.
The latest United States 2024 California Citrus Acreage report shows a significant increase in bearing acres for mandarins and mandarin hybrids.
According to the report, the estimated statewide bearing acreage for mandarins increased from 66,000 acres in 2021-22 to 69,000 acres in 2022-23, a total increase of 3,000 acres.
The citrus acreage data is a compilation of questionnaire responses mailed to all citrus growers in the National Agricultural Statistics Service database. The mailing was sent in January 2023 and producers had to update the information with new plantings, removals, and any corrections.
The 2023 California Mandarin Objective Measurement Report by the California Department of Food and Agriculture indicated an 8% increase in fruit set per tree from the previous year.
The detailed California citrus acreage report shows that 64,933 acres of mandarins and mandarin hybrids are bearing fruit.
The report shows a decrease of 500 grapefruit-bearing acres, an increase of 1,000 lemon-bearing acres, and a decrease of 1,000 Valencia oranges-bearing acres. Navel oranges bearing acres remained the same.
A recent survey conducted by R.R. Donnelley & Sons Co. found that grocery consumers across key demographic groups have reached a breaking point and are seeking out lower-cost goods.
RRD’s annual “2024 CPG + Grocery Consumer Report” speaks to how inflation is continuing to influence consumer purchasing behavior, according to a news release. The report is based on a survey of more than 1,800 adults in the U.S.
According to the survey, 55% of shoppers said they’ll stay loyal to the store they shop at most often — particularly baby boomers (61%) and affluent consumers (64%) — while 45% are open to changing stores for greater savings, particularly millennials (50%).
“Consumers are becoming more judicious with their purchasing decisions, in large part due to the continued impact of external factors including inflation,” Beth Johnson, grocery industry expert and director of client strategy at RRD, said in the release. “These factors are testing the loyalty of shoppers, making it more important than ever for marketers to rethink how they engage with buyers. Brands will need to meet shoppers where they are by emphasizing value and savings to hold their attention.”
Top findings from the survey include:
- 88% of consumers express frustration with rising prices across categories, including groceries, gas and restaurants. This sentiment was most associated with grocery shopping overall (86%), driven by the rising costs of food and beverages (80%).
- 87% of baby boomers and 79% of households with $100,000 or more in income express concern or frustration over food and beverage prices.
- Consumers are adjusting their shopping behaviors by stocking up during sales (41%), purchasing fewer items (37%), switching to less-expensive name brands (37%), switching from name brands to private-label brands (35%), using more coupons and discounts (34%) and by sticking to their shopping lists (32%).
- Coupon redemption in mass and variety/discount stores increased by 9% and 37%, respectively, compared to the first half of 2023.
- Regarding store selection, 68% of consumers prioritize convenience and proximity to their homes, with baby boomers valuing close proximity the most (76%).
- Many shoppers (32%) also report prioritizing an engaging shopping experience, even if the store is farther away than others — particularly Generation Z (39%), millennials (37%) and parents (38%).
Shoppers are making it clear about what they want from their grocery stores and consumer packaged goods brands: convenience, value and personalization, according to the release.
Consumers reported prioritizing a variety of factors including relevant deals (59%), personalized discounts (55%) and tailored recommendations (52%).
Staying local was also shown to be important to shoppers, with 57% preferring to shop at stores that feature locally grown, raised or produced products and 56% reporting that they would like to see more advertising for products produced or grown close by, according to the release.
For retailer or brand selection, fair prices are deemed to be the biggest priority for consumers (58%), up 5 percentage points compared to last year. High-quality products (45%) and coupons and discounts (41%) are also driving factors for shoppers. Notably, data privacy (39%) is also influencing consumers’ decision-making, up 19 percentage points from last year, the release said.
Citrus acreage in Florida continues to shrink.Results of Florida’s annual Commercial Citrus Inventory show the state’s 2024 total citrus acreage is 274,705 acres, down 17% from the 2023 annual survey. The net loss of 57,551 acres is 14,505 acres more than what was lost the previous season.
The report said total citrus acreage in Florida in 2024 was off 50% from 554,037 acres in 2010.
Florida’s 2024 orange acreage is now at 248,028 acres, down 18% from the previous season, according to the report.
Valencia acreage in 2024 accounts for 63% of the total orange acreage, with non-valencia acreage representing 35%; the remaining orange acreage is unidentified. Grapefruit acreage is at 14,316 acres in 2024, down 10% from the previous season. Specialty fruit acreage, at 12,361 acres, is down 6% from the previous season. Tangerines and tangelos account for 58% of the specialty fruit, with 7,189 acres, the report said. The remaining acreage is “other citrus” acreage, with a total of 5,172 acres, or 42%.
All 23 published counties included in the survey showed decreases in acreage, according to the report. Hendry County lost the most acreage, down 12,374 acres from the previous season. Polk County leads in citrus acreage with 58,516 acres, followed by Desoto County at 51,800 acres.
(Since this article was written the U.S. dockworkers and the U.S. Maritime Alliance, effective the evening of October 3, have extended their existing contract through January 15. This will provide time to negotiate a new contract.)
The Food Industry Association of Arlington, VA and its President and CEO Leslie G. Sarasin offered the following statement on the East and Gulf Coasts ports strike by the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA):
“There’s never a good time for a strike. Now, the current strike is compounding the horrific situation in the Southeastern United States resulting from Hurricane Helene and parties need to return to the negotiating table.
“We must be focused on helping the communities and people devastated by Hurricane Helene. The strike on the East and Gulf Coasts by the International Longshoremen’s Association threatens to make the situation even more dire. This action has already begun to jeopardize food supply chain operations, and the strike has the potential to disrupt the long-term stability of markets and commodities, namely pharmaceuticals, seafood, produce, meat, cheese, ingredients, and packaging.
“An extended strike will likely cause dramatic increases in the cost and availability of goods, intensifying this inflationary environment. And, unfortunately, this situation cannot be addressed by a switch to alternative ports due to the freight costs and time associated with transporting products back to the East Coast.
“Compounding the implications of this strike, we are facing a humanitarian crisis of extraordinary proportions. Hurricane Helene’s aftermath in communities across North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida and South Carolina have left tremendous flooding and washed-out roads, destruction of neighborhoods, no power, and no potable water. Many of our food retail and product supplier members are trying desperately to ensure their associates’ safety and get their businesses back online to serve these devastated communities and support their own employees who have been displaced.
“We urge the negotiating parties to come to a swift resolution as we all focus on assisting these devastated communities.”
Chilean Fruit Growers Concerned
Chilean fruit growers are expressing concern about potential harm to trade because of the port strike on the East Coast of the U.S.
The International Longshoremen’s Association began the strike Oct. 1 against the United States Maritime Alliance.
The port strike will directly affect shipments of Chilean fruit to the North America, said the Chilean grower group Federation of Fruit Producers of Chile, or Fedefruta.
“We find it regrettable that port operations are paralyzed, and at the same time we call on the parties to reconcile, agree and resolve their differences so that ports in the U.S. can continue to function,” Víctor Catán, president of Fedefruta, said in a statement. “We believe that tremendous damage is done to the U.S. population that is deprived of goods and food, in our case making it impossible to enter the entry of top quality fruits that supply the different supermarkets in that country.”
In 2023, Chile exporters shipped more than $1 billion of fresh fruit to the Philadelphia port alone, according to USDA statistics. That represents 56% of total Chilean fruit exports to the U.S. in 2023 of $1.78 billion, the USDA said.
While the period from January through April represents the peak window for Chilean fresh fruit shipments to the U.S., imports from Chile occur in every month of the year. Last year the U.S. imported $134 million of Chilean fruit in October, or about 8% of the total 2023 value of Chilean fruit imports.