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Sven Sigg AB

Even more light to combat Finlands dark hours

US: Will tariffs on fresh produce become a reality?

Tony Walker, Ebtech Glasshouse Systems

UK: Fast thinking between crop changes

Vinga Group ,WA3RM

Sweden: Over $1B in funding for greenhouse projects

“Look at the cost of production as it will affect your baseline”

Sector | Greenhouse expansion projects

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© Kingan | Dreamstime.com

US: High school celebrates new greenhouse with ribbon-cutting ceremony

Greenhouse complex with Turkish investment being constructed in Shymkent, Kazakhstan

US: Renovated school greenhouse set to be reopened today
© Stephanie Berg | Dreamstime.com

US: High School grant being used to expand hydroponics program

Turkistan region in Kazakhstan plans to double greenhouse vegetable production
With two machines at work in the fields

"Drawing gutters on the spot is one of our hallmarks"

South Africa: Greenhouse tunnel construction aims to aid young entrepreneurs

Sector | Cultivation

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Kenyan growers featured on TV make appeal for sustainable farming
© MartinBergsma | Dreamstime.com

US: APHIS issues review of genetically modified foods

Examining the importance of airflow in plant growth
Grower Victoria suffers losses in battle with Vitmark Ukraine

Nearly million-dollar tomatoes perished in Ukraine
GreenCap Solutions, Norway

“Our CO2 system keeps energy use low, which is a key achievement”
Crop manager Milou Fernandez:

"As a greenhouse manager, you must always be on standby"
Growing the high value vaccine saponin adjuvant QS-21 indoors

"We cultivate Mediterranean trees in a controlled environment"

Sector | Technique

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Raquel Peregrín, of Ritec:

"A unique model in hydroponics for the production of strawberries for the United States"

First insights on deployment of CO2 from capture plant in cucumber cultivation

Growing eggplants on Reunion Island

Measuring photosynthesis efficiency without physical contact with a plant

Electric platform for greenhouses with suspended gutters

Puzzling over behavioural models for sustainable greenhouse horticulture

New Zealand: Farmlands Cooperative new Araymond dealer

Sector | Climate

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Philippines considering importing vegetables following typhoons
© Robert D Brozek | Dreamstime.com

Livestock, crops damaged in Philippines volcano eruption
Heavy storm in Malaga has brought significant relief after many months of drought

"Reclaimed water has helped salvage more than 70% of the acreage in La Axarquia"
© Gunold | Dreamstime.com
UN FAO director:

‘30% climate aid must go to agriculture’

Tomato prices skyrocket in Greece due to drought
Luc Vanoirbeek, VBT:

"What is happening now in Spain should be a wake-up call, because it will happen more often in the future"
Alina Vasilica, of Murciana de Vegetales: "The incessant rains have slowed down the overall supply"

"At the moment, practically all European countries are getting their lettuce supply from Spain"

Sector | Company News

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Lessons in scaling sustainably from Smallhold’s Co-founder

Bayer, Netafim expand partnership and introduce new tool
Hessing and PerfoTec partner

Redefining freshness of fruits and vegetables

Local Bounti releases results for third quarter of 2024
Jacco van der Wekken, Delphy

NL: "Consulting and research increasingly intertwined"

Chef JJ Johnson moving into culinary advisor role

US: Vertically farmed Koyo Berries coming to Harris Teeter East Coast stores

Sector | Grower in the Spotlight

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Sweden hopes to tie up with Singapore in health care and hydroponic farming
Scandinavia visits:

“Retailers greatly appreciate the convenience of our extended shelf-life products”

Saudi Arabia achieves year-round asparagus production with greenhouse tech
Agroenergie Soc. Agr. Srl

Sustainable vegetables grown in photovoltaic greenhouses

Papaya cultivated in the greenhouses of Turkmenabat, Turkmenistan, despite the region's unsuitable climate

Cucumbers and greens grown year-round in Tartu, Estonia

New beer from growers: Tuinderstruck

Sector | Crop Protection

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© Solaiman Hossen | Dreamstime.com

University of Melbourne among recipients of $24M grant into pest research
© Adrea | Dreamstime.com

Possible copper substitute for tomato late blight in bio-fungicide development
ICM approach Royal Brinkman:

"The best thing is initiative from the industry itself"
© Solaiman Hossen | Dreamstime.com

Researchers find novel biofungicide for fruit flies with use of orange peels
Apply for the Anatis Bioprotection workshop

The versatile guardian of crops: Neoseiulus californicus
© Ruud Morijn | Dreamstime.com

Study discovers pathogen's immunity-hijacking mechanism in strawberries

US: Vulnerable Species Action Plan to effect pesticide applicators

Sector | Market Information

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Foto: Harvest House
Marco Bergman, Harvest House:

NL: "Successful year for our pepper growers, despite cultivation challenges"
VBT figures week 46

NL: Prices soar for vine tomatoes, strawberries, and head lettuce

Dutch tomato crop 'back to normal'
U.S. Mexico Canada agreement seasonal perishable products:

Avocado prices reach $74.25 for large hass, cucumber prices drop

Thanksgiving grocery ads focus on holiday staples amid price fluctuations

Tomato prices decline as seasonal arrivals boost supply

Gratitude Month honors mentors and champions in the produce industry

Sector | Energy

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© Gert Van Santen | Dreamstime.com

Enbridge Gas Incentives now available in Ontario
Mirai Solar:

“Our solar technology is particularly beneficial for shade-loving crops”

NL: Can low chill carbon help eliminate fossil fuels from strawberry growing?

Dutch geothermal project declared bankrupt
energy-wise it can be done, cultivation-wise still challenge

Cultivation concept fossil-free strawberry not yet ready for practice
Energy Source, Canada

"No heat in the dead of winter means losses within hours"
PBL critical of meeting 2030 and 2040 targets

Greenhouse horticulture energy use falls, but not fast enough

Sector | Fertilizers

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Lualtek

Sensors 4.0 for saving on fertigation
© Adrea | Dreamstime.com

Combination of fertilize and herbicide aids in open field tomato growth, says UF/IFAS
Using fish waste as fertilizer,

Aquaponics as a sustainable alternative
© Brad Calkins | Dreamstime.com

Tensions in Middle East cause fertilizer market fears

"Our new Biota Phos shows the true value of circular fertilizers"
Abelardo Hernández, technical director of Proexport and coordinator of the Nitrosfera project:

"We plan to implement nitrogen fertilization strategies that complement the restrictions in place"

US (IA): $35M for domestic fertilizer production

Sector | Breeding

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Tomato greenhouse converted for tomato breeding

Spain: Centuries old strawberry genes kept in Malaga germplasm bank

Study examines the evolutionary journey of strawberries

Award-winning Heirloom tomato now available in the U.S.
© Apiwan Borrikonratchata | Dreamstime.com

USDA announces final notice on exemptions for genetically modified plants
Ethan Luth, Bayer:

"Breeders to help growers with challenges as energy, water and disease pressure"
Vilmorin-Mikado reveals new signature for Tomato & Rootstock

Choosing the right rootstock is critical

Sector | Product Info

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US: Ultra compact and fully automatic case packing system introduced
© Ciolca | Dreamstime.com

China: Robot developed that can identify plants by touch
Windward Drones, CAN:

From greenhouse coatings to thermal inspection

Automated drone aims to aid in crop protection through early detection system
Van der Avoird Trayplant, Agriware

Dealing with intense operational demands during peak season

NL: Measuring water level silos: "It's actually quite simple"

UK: New business partnership aims to bring robotics to more growers

Sector | Open field vegetables

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Bonduelle Group:

Business activity slightly down on Quarter 3 in a climate of constrained consumption

Sector | Substrates and starting materials

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Qatar: Significant progress for gene bank that stores over 5M seeds
© Brad Calkins | Dreamstime.com

NL: 75th company achieves RHP Consumer Certification

Study looks at the quality of seeds in different crop management systems

Botanicoir announces new Sales Manager for Europe and the Middle East
"One-stop shopping alternative to comprehensive crop package"

Three organic propagators join forces for smaller-scale nursery and other private initiatives

Biochar still an unknown in the horticultural sector

Substrate sensors calibrated for organic substrate

Sector | Organic cultivation

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Kazakh farmers to gain easier access to EAEU markets for organic products
Ontario's 2024 Organic Market Report released

"Ontario's organic market continues to see robust growth"

On-the-vine snacking tomatoes now offered as organic

NL: Global teams tackle autonomous dwarf tomato cultivation in Bleiswijk

"True authentic Japanese wasabi history and culture from local producers could be just around the corner"

Ukrainian farmers are offering organic produce amidst the war
“a breakthrough for organic growers in North America"

On-farm bioreactor enables conversion of residual proteins into liquid organic solution

Sector | Today on social media

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Air Trays surpassing conventional and tabletop/gutter methods in growth rate and efficiency

Grant Kees
Key Account Manager Horticultural Projects at Bayer Crop Science

Jack Endhoven
Head Grower at Great Lakes Greenhouses Inc.

Juan Manuel Lopez Garcia

Thriving tomato plants
Entomology🐛 Plant pathology 🌿 Biological control 🐞 Hydropony 🍅 Fruit gorwing 🍏 Professional in plant protection. Speicalization on free from pesticide residue growing and biological pest control.

Václav Psota

WA3RM AB
Chief Growing and R&D Officer at Little Leaf Farms LLC

Pieter Slaman

Sector | Food Safety & Sanitation

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Pesticide exposure can lower male fertility, study finds
The ban includes tomatoes, peppers, and fresh melons

Russia imposes temporary import restrictions on fresh produce from Kazakhstan

BioSafe Systems gets EPA registration for SaniDate WTO

Australian drop in vegetable consumption and the negative impact on farmers
© Esin Deniz | Dreamstime.com

Malaysia: Court fines hypermarket for pesticide fueled aubergine

A new solution for enhanced food safety and FSMA 204 compliance

Outbreak of Salmonella umbilo linked to Italian rocket affects multiple countries

Sector | Events

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China: 2024 Smart Agriculture Competition brings CEA initiatives together
Photo report

NL: Over 1,000 visitors attend Burg Machinefabriek's anniversary celebration
December 5, 2024:

Webinar to shed light on the topic of water treatment
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US: Soil health workshop being offered by Cornell University

US: Students to lead hydroponic open-house

NL: From data to practice

Climate, energy, and AI, the topics at inaugural Nordic Horti Forum

Sector | Labor and automation

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NL: Construction housing on own yard grower launched, unique in Westland
Tafe Tractors unveiled its new range of low horsepower tractors at Eima

Implementing the use of electric tractors both in greenhouses and in the field
Beyond the hype with applied AI:

"We don't want more, but less screen time for growers"
© Nattstudio | Dreamstime.com

"Nothing scarier than a cyber attack during your busiest season"

Plant-lowering robot launched

Havatec has appointed Ronald Begelinger as Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
© Dragoscondrea | Dreamstime.com

Canada: Immigration reforms will not affect greenhouse growers

Sector | Retail

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Dreamstime
Continente further consolidated its market share

GVH has approved the sale of Auchan Hungary
Dreamstime
Largest Checkers Hyper supermarket in South Africa has large fresh fruit and vegetable section

Lidl Hungary plans to increase the number of its stores
Dreamstime
Migros Zurich plans to restructure its German subsidiary tegut

Alibaba Group: September quarter 2024 results
Dreamstime
First store in Ghent to operate under the new name ‘Okay City’

JD.com: Third quarter 2024 results
El Corte Inglés reported double-digit growth in EBITDA

Coop Amba members form new company
More than a dozen Central Co-Op branches will shut their doors soon

Spar Hungary was awarded the title of 'Supermarket Chain of the Year 2024'
Dino Polska: Sales of fresh products generated 39.7% of revenue, including fruit and vegetables

Morrisons plans to open an additional 15 stores across Jersey, Guernsey and Alderney

Sector | Lighting and technique

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NL: Cucumber lighting trials to start soon

Tomato growers embrace full LED lighting

Pepper production trials entering a fourth year

UK: Tomato factory lights mistaken for "mystical aurora"
Research

"A 24-hour photoperiod significantly enhances the yield of microgreens"

Vertiberry to use Sollum lighting for Quebec facility

Will rising energy costs be the Dutch horticulture industry’s achilles heel?

Sector | Irrigation

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Smart cucumbers: Students let plants regulate their own water
© Jerome Chalk | Dreamstime.com

USDA releases 2023 irrigation and water management data

Large water basin for three Beekenkamp Plants sites
Lex van der Ende:

"We want to be the authority on water solutions"
© Josefkubes | Dreamstime.com
nano bubbles for aquaponics

South Africa: Firm believes it is making strides in water treatment
Royal Brinkman sells 200th Moleaer nanobubble generator

Oxygen-enriched pouring water to prevent root problems

Dutch water basins from Canada to Australia

Sector | Medicinal production

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"Indoor crops could be key for future food security"

Sector | Post-harvest & Packaging

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Introducing VioShield series storage containers for food, cannabis, and healthcare

Ethiopia launches first refrigerated fruit & veggie export to Europe

"We have launched an ultra-thin Bluetooth 5.0 temperature data logger"
© Ruud Morijn | Dreamstime.com

Study explores the shelf life of strawberries

CBP intercepts $31M in meth hidden in serrano pepper shipment at Pharr Bridge
Finagricola

The orange plum tomatoes conquer the foreign markets
André Vois from bandOlution on his trade fair presence at expoSE:

"The demand for banderoles has increased exponentially"

Sector | Education and research

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Can CEA save Ginseng?
© Adrea | Dreamstime.com

Study examines how to sweeten tomatoes by releasing sugar brakes

Study examines the effects of light on basil microgreens

South Korea: Yeonam University exchanges smart agricultural education with HAS University

Nigeria: New learning farm launched in nation's capital

US: Multi-State CEA student certificate program

CAN: Free training program for careers in vertical farming

Sector | Cartoons

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Frustrated resident throws rotten produce at noisy cars

Chinese university’s admission letter can cut fruit

Most Aussies struggle to define a vegetable

Couple surprises wedding guests with fresh produce souvenirs

Building structures inspired by fruits
Pepper bouquet well-received

That's hot!

Viral photo: "Angry Woman" at Bengaluru vegetable market

Sector | Logistics

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NL: Freight Line Europe and Transportbedrijf Joh. van der Haas join forces

Red Sun Farms expands distribution center in Calgary, AB

North Carolina pilot reduces cabbage shipping costs with electric refrigeration

Complications in large distribution logistics platforms in Valencia

NL: H.Z. Logistics acquires transport business from Koeltrans Angeren

Four out of five cargo flights from Greece to Middle East have been suspended

Sector | Management and funding

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US (MO): State budget limits leave farmers in limbo

UK: A guide to the second round of water management grants
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UF/IFAS receives $1M grant to explore automation in nursery industry

Australia: $135,000 in government funding to aid students through Food Ladder
© Apiwan Borrikonratchata | Dreamstime.com

USDA awards researchers $744,000 grant to develop new mulch films
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Pakistan: Sustainable farming measures undertaken to aid in tomato, onion production

US: West Texas researches lead strawberry production study following $37,000 grant from USDA