California Fruit and Vegetable

Tag: California Fresh Fruit Magazine

  • CA Olive Ranch Kicks Off New Year with Renewed Commitment to Consumer Transparency & Sustainability

    California Olive Ranch (“COR”), the leading domestic grower of olives for extra virgin olive oil (“EVOO”) with the #1 bestselling product in the U.S. olive oil category, is ringing in the new year with the announcement of several exciting initiatives. Today, the company unveiled a new packaging design for its California Olive Ranch® brand and an innovative technology investment that reaffirms its commitment to consumer transparency. The company is also announcing the completion of one of the largest olive tree plantings in California in recent years and new environmental sustainability initiatives, including a commitment to regenerative agriculture and converting over 320,000 olive trees to organic production. Once complete, this will make COR one of the largest producers of certified organic 100% California EVOO.

    New California Olive Ranch® Brand Packaging a Reflection of Company Commitment to Transparency

    A reflection of the company’s continued commitment to holding itself to a higher quality standard, the brand’s new, more modern looking labels help shoppers better understand the taste profile and flavor intensity of each product while also continuing to provide clear front-of-pack information on the different sources of EVOO across the company’s various 100% California and global blended product lines. “We are always pushing to help consumers understand what to expect from our diverse line of products,” said Michael Fox, CEO of COR, “Our labels were industry-leading in their transparency before and now with our new, more modern design are even more accurate, simple and clear.”

    The new labels, which will appear in stores over the next several months, encompass the full brand portfolio, including the 100% Californiaand 100% California Reserve collections, the Global Blend collection (formerly known as the Destination Series,) and a new culinary line that includes the company’s new Baking Blends and Keto Blends. New tasting notes and intensity cues were added to the products to give consumers additional assistance in understanding the flavor differences across the profiles. The company’s goal is to offer consumers an array of great-tasting options for every household looking to create delicious food with healthy, high-quality EVOO. “Our mission has always been to offer the highest quality extra virgin olive oil at an accessible price point,” said Fox. “All of our extra virgin olive oils are crafted to the California Department of Food and Agriculture Standard, which is the strictest olive oil standard for quality and purity in the world.”

    COR is also developing a new, industry-leading technology solution that will bolster its commitment to transparency even further.  Slated to roll out later this year, this new technology will give consumers even more insight into the source of the oil they purchased and the specific quality and purity certifications and attributes.  Additionally, the technology will help educate consumers on creative uses as well as the unique health benefits of each EVOO in the company’s portfolio.

    Committed to Environmental Sustainability and Growth of the California Olive Industry

    The company is proud to share its dedication to doing its part to advance the California olive oil industry and to help ensure there is a thriving planet for generations to come.  “We are committed to helping grow the California olive oil industry and are making investments across our organization to understand and apply the latest thinking in environmental sustainability to our farming practices,” said Fox. “We are also expanding our investments in regenerative agriculture to actively improve the condition of our natural resources, not just sustaining them.” Below is a brief highlight of the large initiatives the company is pursuing. The company’s first environmental impact report will be produced by the end of the year, providing more insight into these practices.

    • COR has stepped up its commitment to regenerative agriculture practices to further aid in carbon sequestration and soil health across all their acres. After successful trials, the company has rolled out regenerative soil practices like planting a diverse cover crop, no to minimal tilling, reusing tree trimmings and olive pomace in its compost, minimal mowing and inoculating soil with a proprietary microbe “compost tea” to increase soil life and health, and reducing/eliminating reliance on synthetic fertilizers. The company is partnering with leading California universities and state resource centers to further study and analyze the positive impact these practices will have on the soil health and environment.
    • COR has recently completed the planting of over two million olive trees in California with family-owned farms across the state. Not only does this increase the supply of California olives for olive oil, but research from the International Olive Council also indicates that olive trees could have a meaningful impact on sequestering carbon from the air.  COR has initiated its own research to better understand the positive benefits of the company’s modern farming and harvesting techniques in calculating its impact on California’s greenhouse gas emissions.
    • COR has started the transition of more than 320,000 olive trees to organic farming practices.  When the conversion is complete, COR would be one of the leading, if not the leading farmer of olives for USDA certified organic 100% California EVOO.About California Olive RanchFounded in 1998, California Olive Ranch advanced American olive oil by pioneering new ways of cultivating and harvesting olives to make their extra virgin olive oil both premium and affordable. Today, California Olive Ranch is the largest producer of extra virgin olive oil pressed from California grown olives. The company sells almost 40 products in more than 29,000 retail stores nationally. Its award-winning products are celebrated for their high quality by media, professional chefs and home cooks alike.  The company’s portfolio also includes the Lucini® brand of high-quality olive oil, vinegars and pasta sauces sourced almost exclusively from Italy.

  • Korea Remains a Steady Market for California Citrus

    Korea’s total citrus production for Marketing Year (MY) 2020/21 (October – September) is projected to reach 660,000 metric tons (MT). This 4.5 percent increase over MY 2019/20 volume is attributed to a larger open- field “Unshu” orange crop forecasted in the northern Jeju island growing region. Korea’s 2020/21 citrus consumption is projected to increase 2.9 percent to 567,000 MT due to increased marketing of quality citrus, and a 15 to 20 percent drop in availability of competing domestic fruit. Similar to last year’s trade, Korean fresh orange imports (primarily sourced from the United States) are forecast at 115,000 MT for MY 2020/21. Read the full report from the USDA-Foreign Agricultural Service HERE.

  • Egypt Maintains its Position as the World Leading Orange Exporter

    In marketing year (MY) 2020/21, FAS Cairo forecasts fresh orange exports to reach 1.5 million metric tons (MMT) up from 1.37 MMT in MY 2019/20. Post attributes the increase in exports to higher production amid favorable weather conditions. Saudi Arabia, Russia, the Netherlands, China, and United Arab Emirates are likely to remain Egypt’s top export destinations for oranges. Recent export destinations for Egyptian oranges include New Zealand, Japan, and Brazil. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a reduction in MY 2019/20 orange exports by 343,000 MT compared to the previous marketing year.

    Planted Area:

    In MY 2020/21, FAS Cairo forecasts total planted area in oranges at 168,000 hectares (ha), similar to the previous marketing year. MY 2019/20 planted area at 168,000 ha remains unchanged from the USDA official estimate. Most of the area planted with oranges is located in reclaimed lands which account for 60 percent of the total area. Plantations in the Nile Delta region account for 40 percent of the total orange planted area.

    Post estimates MY 2020/21 total harvested area at 145,000 ha, a 3.57 percent increase over last year. The increase in area harvested is attributed to a 7 percent increase in the number of bearing trees from the previous year in addition to favorable weather conditions during flowering time that positively impacted the flowering of the trees and hence the harvest as a result.

    Production:

    In MY 2020/21, FAS Cairo forecasts orange production to increase by 6.2 percent, or 200,000 MT to 3.4 MMT. Post attributes the increase in production to increase in harvested area and favorable weather conditions during the flowering time. Post is also revising the MY 2019/20 estimate upwards by 200,000 MT to 3.2 MMT from the USDA official projection of 3.0 MMT. We attribute the increase in production to higher yields on commercial farms.

    During the past couple of years, there has been an ongoing effort by the government, private associations and growers to replace old orchards with newer trees, improve on-farm irrigation techniques, adopting up-to date nutrient management programs, and reducing post-harvest losses.

    Orange is the major citrus species crop in Egypt, representing about 80 percent of the total cultivated citrus area. Egypt’s main orange varieties include the following:

    Washington Navel Orange: Washington Navel is the key cultivar navel orange grown in Egypt and the best-known naval orange being exported. There are other lesser known navel orange cultivars such as Navelate, Cara Cara, New Hall, Navelina, Fisher, Leng, Fukumoto and Lane late. Fruit color break starts in late September and ripening fruit dates extends from November to March. The fruit is seedless, medium to large-sized, with relatively rough skin in some cultivar and soft skin in others. It has a sweet flavor with a fruit taste. The rind is orange with dark pulp.

    Valencia Orange: Valencia ranks second after Navel oranges as far as area cultivated. Nubaria district is considered the largest production area for Valencia oranges in Egypt. Valencias have a long ripening season from March to July. The fruit pulp is juicy, it is medium to large-sized with round to oval shape. The skin is soft and easily peeled, the seeds are small, and the rind and flesh are orange.

    Other Varieties: There are other orange varieties like Baladi orange, Blood orange, Khalily orange, Yafawy oranges and Sweet orange. Cultivated areas of these varieties are small compared to Navel and Valencia orange, and they’re mainly consumed fresh or as juice.

    Consumption:

    In MY 2020/21, FAS Cairo forecasts that fresh oranges domestic consumption will increase by 4 percent to reach 1.55 MMT. Increase in local consumption is attributed to higher production, and increased utilization of fresh oranges by consumers amid the COVID-19 pandemic due to its high content of vitamin C. In MY 2020/21, utilization of oranges by the processing sector is forecast to grow by 4.4 percent from the previous marketing year as a result of the pandemic.

    Post is revising the MY 2019/20 fresh domestic consumption estimate upwards by 290,000 MT to 1.49 MMT from the USDA official projection of 1.2 MMT. We attribute the increase in consumption to higher demand by consumers amid the COVID-19 pandemic and an increase in orange processing – from 300,000 MT to 335,000 MT – due to increased demand for orange juice.

    The majority of orange exporters are producers and own packing facilities that are approved for export by the government. They also buy from local farmers if their production is not sufficient to meet their export obligations. Other exporters own packing facilities but do not produce oranges, and thus rely on local farmers. In these cases, the exporters are responsible for transporting the crop to their packing facilities.

    Trade:

    In MY 2020/21, FAS Cairo forecasts total exports to increase by 125,000 MT to reach 1.5 MMT. FAS Cairo attributes this increase to an anticipated higher production which will affect the export volume. Post is revising downward the estimates of fresh orange exports in MY 2019/20 to 1.37 MMT, compared to 1.7 MMT in MY 2018/19 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The Central Administration for Plant Quarantine (CAPQ) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation (MALR) announced the beginning of the orange export season on December 1, 2020 for the MY 2020/21. The export season for oranges usually starts with shipments to the Arabian Gulf followed by Russia, Ukraine, and then to the European Union and East Asia. In MY 2019/20, Egyptian orange exports reached 104 countries with Saudi Arabia, Russia, the Netherlands, China, United Arab Emirates, Bangladesh, United Kingdom, Ukraine, Oman, and Malaysia remaining as Egypt’s top ten export destinations for oranges. Post expects that the top ten export destinations in MY 2020/21 will remain unchanged from MY 2019/20.  Read the full report from the USDA-Foreign Agricultural Service HERE.

  • Demand for Imported Citrus Softens in China

    In line with historical trends, fresh citrus production and consumption are forecast to continue upward in MY2020/21 to 35.6 MMT and 34 MMT, respectively. However, looking ahead, the rate of production growth is expected to slow as prices drop and consumer demand reaches its saturation point. Demand for imported citrus in MY2020/21 is expected to remain soft, down 25% overall from pre-COVID levels, though will return as the economy rebounds. Lower frozen concentrate orange juice imports and production show domestic industry challenges and signal consumers’ changing preferences to juices made from fresh fruits. Chinese countermeasures for COVID-19 will continue to add complication and cost to cold chain imports, including citrus. 

    Post forecasts total citrus production for marketing year (MY) 2020/21 will continue to grow because:

    • –  New trees planted 3-4 years ago start to produce more fruits.

    • –  New growing areas in various provinces.

    • –  New varieties are planted to replace the outdated ones.

    • –  Grafting and growing techniques shorten the time to bear fruits.

    • –  Increasing greenhouse planting for tangerines and mandarins.

      Despite the sustained growth, industry insiders speculate citrus production growth will slow in the next few years as the industry reaches what they believe to be the consumption saturation point.

      Prices: Overall citrus prices dropped in MY2019/20 with a larger crop. This downward pressure on prices will continue for MY2020/21 with an even larger crop forecasted. However, it is expected that the prices for premium fruits will remain high assuming the pandemic will be better controlled in MY2020/21 and Chinese consumers have stronger confidence in spending.

      The unprecedented surge and spread of COVID-19 in MY2019/20 had some key impacts on the Chinese citrus market:

    • –  The economic slowdown in 2020 made Chinese consumers more price sensitive and conservative in spending.

    • –  Major local citrus importers who purchased southern hemisphere products in early CY2020 encountered decreasing market demand and lost money, especially on imported oranges. As a result, for part of MY2019/20, they were hesitant to place further orders for imported fruits given the uncertainty of COVID-19 and challenges with trade.

    • –  Lockdowns and higher operational costs limited exports in MY2019/20, leaving more in the domestic market and creating downward pressure on prices.

    • –  Labor shortages and port backups in China and elsewhere had some negative impact on Chinese imports and exports in early CY2020.

    • –  Fewer imported fruits available in the wholesale market are leading some Chinese traders to put increasing attention on domestic fruit trade.

    • –  The disinfection measures required at Chinese ports for all cold chain food products starting in late MY2019/20 further raise the import costs.

    • –  Post believes consumers’ adoption of online and digital sales in the first half of 2020 will create lasting changes for offline retail stores.

    • –  Brand building, even in fruit, is becoming more important to attract high-end consumers.

    • –  The appreciation of the Chinese RMB in CY2019/20 will make it less expensive to import and more expensive to export possibly leaving more fruits in the domestic market. — Read the full report from the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service HERE.

  • Pandemic Conditions and Growing Vegetarian Population Increases Fresh Fruit Demand in India

    India’s market year (MY) 2020/21 apple and pear production are estimated at 2.3 million metric tons (MMT) and 305,000 metric tons (MT), respectively, as unfavorable weather conditions during the flowering stage have led to reduced yields from MY 2019/20. Apple and pear imports for 2020/21 are forecast at 0.24 MMT and 22,500 MT, respectively. Table grape production is expected to marginally increase to 2.3 MMT, while Indian table grape exports are expected to decline, largely to meet domestic demand. Fresh deciduous fruit demand remains stable, and the COVID-19 pandemic that influenced consumer behavioral changes will continue to drive fruit consumption through both online and physical retail.

    Indian apple production is limited to the northern states of Jammu and Kashmir with a 70 percent market share, followed by Himachal Pradesh with 21.5-25 percent, and Uttarakhand with six percent share. The Northeastern hill states of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and Sikkim also produce small apple quantities. Read the full report from the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service HERE.

  • Argentina Lowers Export Taxes on Many Specialty Crops

    The Government of Argentina recently announced adjustments to export taxes on many specialty crops, including apples, pears, citrus fruits, blueberries, tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, nuts, and alfalfa intended to improve the international competiveness of these products.

    Argentine Government Seeks to Boost Exports of Specialty Crops:

    On Thursday, December 31, 2020 the Government of Argentina published Decree 1060/2020 which made adjustments to the export tax rates for many specialty crops as well as some manufactured goods. After several rounds of export tax changes in recent years the government is attempting to standardize export tax rates for many products at 0%, 3%, 4.5%, and 9% to avoid varying export tax rates among similar products. Previous export tax changes had given some products exchange-rate linked export taxes that had eroded in value as the Argentine peso devalued against the dollar.

    The stated rationale for the policy change is to encourage exports of added-value products and products whose increased production will result in higher levels of employment, and for which increasing exports won’t raise food costs. The government also hopes to encourage investment in these same sectors. Major structural issues such as high fixed operating costs, lack of investment, and currency controls have reduced Argentine competitiveness in many specialty crops over the years, so this measure will be limited in its capacity to boost exports in the short run. Most fruits and vegetables have had export tax rates lowered from 5% to a 0%.

    The list below, by HS Code Chapter, summarizes Annex 1 of Decree 1060/2020 where information on tax rates for specific products can be found. Export tax rates for most major field crops were unchanged, though the decree mentioned the need to adjust rates for certain commodities currently regulated by an expiring decree. Care should be taken to note if a specific HS code is listed in this decree or past decrees.

    Chapter 1 – Live Horses, Cattle, Primates, Dolphins, Pet Birds – 9%;

    Chapter 2 – Beef, Horse, Poultry Meat – 9%; Sheep and Goat Meat – 0%;

    Chapter 3 – Various Fish – 9%; Tilapia, Trout, Carp – 0%;

    Chapter 4 – Fluid Milk – 9%; Ultra High Temperature Milk, Yogurt, Butter, Cheese – 4.5%; Honey – 0%;

    Chapter 5 – Semen & Embryos – 4.5%;

    Chapter 6 – Flowers and bulbs – 4.5%;

    Chapter 7 – Tomatoes, Cauliflower, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Carrots, Cucumbers, Chickpeas, Beans, Asparagus, Eggplant, Celery, Peppers, Spinach, Artichokes, Olives, Pumpkins, Squash, Potatoes, Sweet Corn, Onions, Mushrooms, Garlic, Vegetable Seeds – 0%;

    Chapter 8 – Nuts, Plantains, Pineapples, Avocados, Mangos, Oranges, Mandarins, Clementines, Grapefruit, Lemons, Limes, Watermelon, Papayas, Apples, Pears, Quince, Sour Cherries, Peaches, Nectarines, Plums, Strawberries, Raspberries, Blueberries, Kiwis, Passionfruit, Persimmons – 0%;

    Chapter 9 – Coffee, Pepper, Vanilla, Cinnamon, Cloves, Nutmeg, Mace, Cardamom, Saffron, Turmeric – 4.5%; Tea, Paprika, anise, cumin, coriander – -0%;

    Chapter 10 – “Other” Wheat, Rye, Barley, Corn, Oats, Sorghum – 12%; Grain seeds for planting, Buckwheat, Millet – 4.5%; Quinoa – 0 %

    Chapter 11 – Malt – 9%; Flaked Grains and Germs– 4.5%; Buckwheat flower – 0%

    Chapter 12 – Seeds of Soybeans, Peanuts, and Sunflowerseed for planting, Ginseng, Sugarbeets, Sugarcane – 4.5%; Hops, Alfalfa pellets – 0%

    Chapter 13 – Various Gums, Saps, & Pectins – 4.5%
    Chapter 14     – Bamboo, Vegetable Plaiting Materials – 4.5%
    Chapter 15     – Glycerol 9%; Olive oil – 0%;
    Chapter 16     – Sausages, Hams, Other Prepared & Preserved Meats, Sardines, Tuna – 4.5%

    Chapter 17 – Refined Beet & Cane Sugar, Glucose and Fructose Syrups, Non-Chocolate Confectionary – 4.5%

    Chapter 18 – Chocolate ingredients – 4.5%
    Chapter 19     – Cereals, Pastas, Tapioca, Cuscus – 4.5%

    Chapter 20 – Pickled Cucumbers & Mushrooms, Preserved fruits and vegetables – 4.5%; Preserved Peas, Olives, Tomatoes, Fruit Juices – 0%

    Chapter 21 – Coffee Extracts, Yeasts, Sauces, Food Preparations and Ingredients – 4.5%; Tea & Yerba Mate Extracts – 0%

    Chapter 22 – Mineral Waters, Beer, Champagne, Wine, Liquor, Vinegar – 4.5% Chapter 23 – Livestock Feed 12%; Pet Food – 4.5%
    Chapter 24     – Tobaccos 12%, Cigarettes & Cigars – 4.5%
    Chapter 41     – Hides, skins, and leather – 4.5%

    Chapter 51- Wool – 4.5%, Yarn – 3.0%

    Chapter 52 – Raw Cotton – 12%; Carded Cotton and cotton waste – 4.5%; Cotton thread and yarn – 3.0%

    — By Benjamin Boroughs, USDA Foreign Agricultural Service

  • Costa Rican Orange Production Declines (Major Juice Importer)

    Costa Rica’s orange production is forecast to decline to 285,000 metric tons (MT) in Marketing Year (MY) 2020/2021. It is expected to reach 290,000 MT in MY2019/2020. Delays in the harvest caused by the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in loss of fruit at the time of harvest during MY2019/2020. The industry had to make considerable investments in the application of sanitary protocols and new infrastructure to limit the spread of the disease among workers. Most of these measures are now in place for the upcoming harvest. Many of the workers come from Nicaragua for the harvest. The industry has worked closely with the local authorities to allow workers to enter Costa Rica under strict sanitary protocols. The United States is Costa Rica’s main destination for its orange juice (purchasing 75 percent of total exports in 2019), followed by the European Union, and China. Costa Rican orange juice enters the United States duty free under the U.S.-Central American Free Trade Agreement. 

    COSTA RICA: ORANGE JUICE PRODUCTION AND TRADE

    Costa Rica’s orange production is concentrated in the northern part of the Alajuela province, around Los Chiles, Guatuso and Upala, and in the northern part of Guanacaste, near the border with Nicaragua in an area known as Santa Cecilia. Two companies, TicoFrut and Del Oro, control most of the production and processing of oranges in the country. TicoFrut is the largest company in the sector. TicoFrut’s plantations are located primarily in the province of Alajuela near the border with Nicaragua, and in Nicaragua. Del Oro’s plantations are in the province of Guanacaste, near the border with Nicaragua.

    Oranges are also grown in other regions of the country including Acosta, near the Central Valley, and Nandayure in Guanacaste. However, oranges from those areas are mostly sold as fresh fruit in the local market. In addition, there are some medium and small size independent producers. While the larger operations have been stable and plan their activities with a long-term horizon, the smaller independent producers tend to enter or exit the market in response to short term price fluctuations. The harvest takes place mainly from January to May, with peak production reached in March and April. The majority of the oranges produced in Costa Rica are processed for juice concentrate for the export market. A relatively small volume of fresh fruit is sold for local consumption, and the processing plants also sell small volumes of juice to local clients.

    One of the two processing companies has orange plantations in Nicaragua, near the border. Growing conditions are favorable in that area, and land prices and labor costs are generally lower. The local industry has partnered with Nicaraguan businesses to plant orange groves in Nicaragua. The area planted is not expected to grow significantly in Nicaragua or Costa Rica at this time, as the company prefers to improve its current operation through replanting and investments in irrigation. This company has a plan to increase area planted slowly. According to the plan, the company will increase area by 230 hectares next year. According to data from the Government of Costa Rica, the country imported 56,644 MT of fresh oranges from Nicaragua in 2019, compared to 71,907 MT during 2018. Imports from Nicaragua during 2020 reached 69,800 MT through October. Oranges from Nicaraguan plantations are trucked to Costa Rica for processing at TicoFrut’s plant located in Muelle, San Carlos.

    Local industry estimates area planted at around 21,000 hectares (ha) and 7.4 million orange trees, including the area planted on the Nicaraguan side of the border. The Government of Costa Rica estimate is slightly higher at 23,000 ha. However, there is unconfirmed information indicating that the Del Oro company may be reducing its area planted as a result of citrus greening disease. So, at this time, total area could be even lower than the 21,000 ha. estimate.

    The number of trees is gradually increasing as farmers are renovating their plantations with the “Flying Dragon” pattern, which allows for a higher number of trees per hectare, easier farm management and lower associated costs. The “Flying Dragon” pattern is planted at 830 to 900 trees/ha, as compared to a range of 312 to 444 trees/ha for other varieties. As this pattern takes hold, the number of trees should increase in the next few years, as producers replant or renovate their farms using this variety. The main producers are renovating older plantations with new trees, rather than increasing area planted. This process is expected to result in higher future production, without major changes in total area planted.

    The citrus greening disease, which was identified in 2011 in Costa Rica, remains a major concern for producers and has put a limit to the expansion of the industry because of the uncertainty it creates among growers. According to industry sources, the disease has now spread throughout most of the country’s growing areas. The disease is difficult to manage, as it increases production costs, which could result in losses. So far, the largest grower has been able to contain the disease by establishing strict controls including constant farm surveillance, inspection of all farms, and eradication of 100 percent of the affected plants. The local industry uses agrochemicals and biological controls (a wasp that feeds on the vector of the disease, called Tamarixia Radiata), as part of their preventive measures. Although the disease has not caused significant losses to the largest producer, one of the major companies has reportedly suffered more from the effects of the disease, which has resulted in reduced or abandoned areas. Small producers have suffered heavier losses from its effects as well.

    Total production is forecast to decrease by 5,000 MT in MY2020/2021, to 285,000 MT. The lower expected production is related to the strong rains that affected some of the production areas during the flowering period. Also, due to the lower availability of workers during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic, some of the agronomical activities normally conducted to assist the plantations during the flowering period, were not carried out on time. The COVID-19 pandemic has also complicated farm management. For instance, supervisory visits to the Nicaraguan plantations were suspended because of the closing of the border. Sick workers and their close contacts had to remain under quarantine when there were outbreaks at the farms.

    Costa Rica exports the majority of its orange production as frozen orange juice concentrate, but also exports non-frozen concentrate juice. According to information from the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Board (PROCOMER), during calendar year 2019 juice exports to all destinations amounted to 32,897 MT valued at $50 million. This compares to 36,936 MT valued at $68 million during 2018. Data available for January-October 2020 show a decline in volume and value, reaching 24,894 MT and $41.7 million, respectively.

    The United States continues to be Costa Rica’s main destination for orange juice exports. Exports to the United States reached 19,586 MT valued at $37.7 million during 2019. During the period January – October 2020, exports to the U.S. amounted to 17,449 MT valued at $34.8 million. The main destination in the European Union is the Netherlands. Exports to that country in 2018 were 7,954 MT, 6,774 MT in 2019, and 5,241 MT during January – October 2020. Exports to China fell to 791 MT during January – October of 2020, after reaching a record of 4,209 MT in 2019.

    Costa Rican orange juice enters the United States duty free under the Central American-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement. — By Victor Gonzalez, USDA-Foreign Agricultural Service

  • New ‘Prime-Ark® Horizon’ Blackberry

    A new blackberry has been released by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture (UA), named Prime-Ark® Horizon. This is the sixth public primocane-fruiting variety from the UA breeding program.

     Key items to note about Prime-Ark® Horizon:

    • Primocane fruiting, thorny
    • A complement to Prime-Ark® 45 for commercial production for primocane fruit
    • High floricane crop potential
    • Primocane berries are large, with larger fruit size potential than other primocane-fruiting varieties in summer heat and potential primocane crop extension beyond the Prime-Ark® 45 season
    • Berries are very firm in storage, and otherwise comparable to Prime-Ark® 45 in postharvest potential
    • Soluble solids averaging 10% and titratable acidity 0.92%, providing good sugar/acid balance
    Prime-Ark® Horizon with extended fruiting on the primocane, late August, 2020, Arkansas.

    The majority of the testing of Prime-Ark® Horizon was done at the location of its development, the UA Fruit Research Station, Clarksville, AR, with data and observations collected from plants over 8+ years. The cross for Prime-Ark® Horizon was made in 2008, and it was selected in 2010.  Additional data and observations were collected by Josh Beam at a Dole Berry test site near Lincolnton, NC (six years), and Karen Blaedow, North Carolina State University Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center in Mills River, NC (two years). I greatly appreciate the testing results attained by these colleagues. I have included comments from their findings in the following discussion.

    Ripening: Floricane first harvest is a few days later than Prime-Ark® 45 and near that of Ouachita (June 12). Floricane harvest period averaged 40 days. Primocane first harvest averaged August 4, just before Prime-Ark® 45. Primocane fruiting can potentially extend until mid-October, providing a fruiting period of over 60 days.

    Josh often found floricane harvest date to be similar to that observed in Arkansas. Primocane harvests began a little earlier than Arkansas, ranging from mid to late July. He harvested primocane fruit to late September or mid-October depending on the year.  Karen’s first harvest for primocane fruit was August 6 in 2019.

    Berry:  Prime-Ark® Horizon’s berry weight averaged 7.8 g overall for floricanes. Berries were often up to 10 g for floricanes. The primocane berries averaged 7.3 g. The floricane and primocane average weights are much closer than other primocane-fruiting varieties, suggesting more berry weight stability in summer heat during primocane flowering and fruiting.

    Josh found floricane berries to range from 9-11 g, and Karen’s planting averaged over 13 g in 2019. Josh found primocane berries to be 11-15 g, equally as large as floricane berries. This is unusual as primocane berry weight in southern locations is typically associated with smaller berries due to the impact of heat on fruit set and development.

    Berry shape was noted to vary with Prime-Ark® Horizon, and in some years curved berries were observed in most test locations. Primocane double berries were not seen, as is common with Prime-Ark® 45 in Arkansas, due to heat effects. This further suggests some heat tolerance for Prime-Ark® Horizon. However, temperatures above 90oF were observed to occasionally result in primocane flower death with Prime-Ark® Horizon, so full heat tolerance is not implied.

    Floricane berry along with primocane flower buds present, late June in Arkansas.

    Yield: Prime-Ark® Horizon has very high yield potential on floricanes, and exceeded yield of Natchez in some years. Floricane yields have exceeded 30,000 lb./acre in research plots usually in the year after planting.  Floricane yield is influenced by the degree of primocane fruiting the prior year. More primocane fruit production often equates to lower floricane yields the following season. Crop control with pruning is strongly advised to balance crop, particularly in the first year of floricane fruiting if no primocane crop is produced in the planting year.  Primocane yields ranged from 3,000-9,000 lb./acre depending on year and environment.

    Josh reported very high yields also, with over 2,500 flats/acre on floricanes, and then another 1,500 flats per acre on primocanes (a flat has 4.5 lb. weight). Cane management will likely be a key component to achieving full yield potential and consistency.

    Flavor:  Flavor has consistently been rated good with light aromatics over many years of evaluations. As with most blackberry varieties, Prime-Ark® Horizon can have variation in sweetness.  Berries were noted at times to be tart, particularly when very high floricane crop was experienced. The overall average soluble solid content was 10% (ranging from 9-11%). Titratable acidity averaged 0.9% (ranging from 0.8-1%), which is within the “reduced acidity” target of the UA breeding program.

    Josh consistently noted the fruit to be sweet over many years of observation, with soluble solids content of 10% or higher. Karen found fruit to have a pleasant flavor but at times variable.

    Postharvest: Storage for 7 days has been comparable to Prime-Ark® 45 in reddening/reversion. It has also shown potential for longer-term storage particularly in the retention of firmness. In addition to excellent firmness in storage, leakage and decay have been among the best measured in the Arkansas program.

    Plants:  Prime-Ark® Horizon plants have shown good health, except when excessive floricane yields were experienced that resulted in reduced floricane leaf size as well as upward leaf curling. No orange rust nor anthracnose were observed on Prime-Ark® Horizon.  Winter hardiness has been comparable to Ouachita, and has shown very limited winter injury to a low of 1oF. Spring freeze damage has not been observed. Chilling requirement is unknown, but is anticipated to be approximately 300 hours.

    Plant vigor can be high, and this can result in extended primocanes with long fruiting laterals. Overall, Prime-Ark® Horizon has reduced thorns compared to Prime-Ark® 45. Thorn density on canes is 45% lower than Prime-Ark® 45 but density is similar on laterals and leaf petioles. Josh noted high vigor and commented that primocane management would have to be worked out to attain maximum yield. Karen found Prime-Ark® Horizon to be one of the more vigorous varieties in her trial. — By John R. Clark, University of Arkansas

  • What Consumers Like about Fresh-Market Blackberries

    At the University of Arkansas System (UA System) Division of Agriculture, 80 consumers looked at and tasted fresh-market blackberries to help us determine attributes they liked. The consumers looked at individual blackberries and preferred oblong, large blackberries as opposed to round or small (see the figure below).

    Consumers also looked at blackberries in clamshells and preferred to purchase clamshells containing larger blackberries or clamshells without blackberries with red drupelet reversion (see the Figure below).

    Percent of consumers (n=81) that ranked clamshells of blackberries as most preferred for different size berries (A)z and different amounts of red drupelet reversion (B)y.
    z Clamshell ‘735’ had about 22 10-g to 12-g berries, and ‘916’ had about 50 4-g to 5-g berries.
    y Clamshell ‘942’ had 0% of the blackberries with red drupelet reversion, ‘516’ had about 25%, and ‘378’ had 65%.

    Consumers then tasted six UA system cultivars (Caddo, Natchez, Osage, Ouachita, Ponca, and Prime-Ark®Traveler) and liked Ponca, Osage, Caddo, and Natchez the most. Ponca (10% soluble solids and 0.8% titratable acidity) was highly rated for sweetness, overall flavor, and overall impression. Understanding what consumers like about fresh-market blackberries provides blackberry breeders and blackberry growers with information to advance retail sale. — By Renee Threlfall, Research Scientist, Dept of Food Science, University of Arkansas

  • Drier La Niña Winter Conditions Can Contribute To Sudden Freezes

    California Avocado Commission — Although the California avocado growing regions are expected to experience a moderate La Niña phase with warmer average temperatures through spring 2021, the lower rainfall amounts associated with this climate phase can lead to sudden cold spells or freezes. As Dr. Ben Faber noted in a recent blog post, some of California’s most severe freezes have occurred during weak La Niña phases.

    Advection and radiation freezes pose the most threat to California avocado groves. Advection freezes are caused by the movement of arctic air into the region. Radiation freezes occur at night when clear skies and calm conditions are present that allow cold pockets of air to settle in low areas of the grove.

    To prepare for potential frosts or freezes, it’s important to remember that different prevention measures may be used for a frost versus a freeze. A frost is caused when objects cool at night and radiate their heat loss, thus chilling the surrounding air. In Southern California, warm air is typically close to the ground due to a low ceiling, thus causing a temperature inversion that protects orchards. However, windy conditions can disrupt this inversion and press cold air to the ground. In comparison, a freeze occurs when cold air moves in and the air temperature decreases at both high and low levels.

    • To prevent damage when cold weather events are in the forecast, consider the following.
    • To protect against frost or freeze, orchard heaters can be used to distribute heat. The downside of heaters is the cost of running them and possible fire hazards.
    • Wind machines should only be used in frost, not freeze, conditions and should not be used when it is windy. This economical option can be paired with orchard heaters to improve effectiveness.
    • If frost threatens and no temperature inversion is present, the best practice is to run microsprinklers during the day and turn off the water prior to sunset. If the temperature drops below freezing, restart the water and run it until sunrise. If ice forms on the fruit or leaves, heat will be released as the ice melts and protect the plants.
    • If watering the entire grove prior to a cold weather event is cost prohibitive, it is recommended that growers opt to water only those portions of their groves that tend to be coldest.

    If your grove is affected by a frost/freeze event, please view Post-freeze Avocado Grove Management on the California Avocado Commission’s website. For more complete information, visit the Commission’s online library of frost/freeze protection articles.