Australians are being warned that the price of fresh fruit and vegetables could double within a decade, as farmers face increasing pressure from rising labour, electricity costs and weather extremes. read more...

Packaging in supermarkets is under fire. The public debate and the changing public opinion regarding plastic packaging encourage supermarkets and their suppliers to reduce the mountain of packaging material. They’re mostly dedicated to reducing the use of packaging and using recyclable materials. read more...

In recent years, products without pesticide residues have appeared on supermarket shelves. This alternative between organic and conventional products has been on an upward trend lately. read more...

The avocado industry is on alert to understand more about the wood-boring granulate ambrosia beetle found in Auckland, says NZ Avocados chief executive, Jen Scoular. The beetles are fungus farmers, she told Rural News. “A range of exotic ambrosia beetles have an association with the Lauraceae family of trees, which includes avocado. Although the fungi isolated to date from Auckland has not been identified as a major concern to tree health, the avocado industry remains on alert to understand more about this beetle and its ability to vector more serious pathogenic fungi.” read more...

U.S. fresh-market apple holdings on April 1 totaled 51.2 million bushel cartons, down 12% from a year ago. The U.S. Apple Association also reported April 1 U.S. fresh apple holdings were off 4% from the five-year average. read more...