IPG NEWS
IPG looks to keep its customers, suppliers, and partners world-wide, all connected and in touch through its new IPG News Reports. This news source will highlight the most significant, relevant and day-day international trade and produce news stories.
We feel it’s very important to not only have a great understanding for our current market and country, but to maintain a worldly viewpoint and full understanding of all other markets and their effects on the fresh produce export/import industry. Please stay connected and informed through our news channel.
Demand for California and Mexican Bell Peppers Back Up
October 22, 2019
Supplies of bell peppers look consistent compared to last year at this time. “Supply has been consistent but the timing has been somewhat different due to variable weather patterns throughout the season,” says Katy Johnson of Prime Time International in Coachella, Ca. “Each growing location has been affected by weather in some way this year which has created a challenge in producing an even supply flow.” Prime Time is currently harvesting in Oxnard, Ca. “Red peppers are still fairly plentiful…
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16m Apples “left to rot” Due to Worker Shortages
October 22, 2019
Roughly 16 million British apples are being left to rot in the field this harvest as growers struggle to recruit seasonal workers. The Latest NFU survey on seasonal workers found that the September shortfall in seasonal workers had climbed to 16.3 per cent. This year’s labour shortfall now stands at 10 per cent, with data showing over 4000 job vacancies went unfilled in the past 12 months. Data from British Apples and Pears suggests that 1,147 tonnes of apples have…
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China’s economic growth drops to lowest level since 1992
October 18, 2019
Hong Kong (CNN Business)China's growth dropped last quarter to its lowest level in nearly three decades, as the world's second largest economy continues to feel the pain from the trade war with the United States. China's gross domestic product grew by 6% in the three months to September 30, the weakest quarterly growth rate since 1992 and down from 6.2% in the April-June period, according to government statistics released on Friday. It also missed the average forecast of 6.1% projected…
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Higher Apple Production in Shaanxi Facing Shortage of Seasonal Workers
October 17, 2019
The Fuji apple harvest has begun in Shaanxi and is expected to last through to mid-November. “This year’s weather has been good, production areas have not been affected by serious natural disasters, and the sunshine has been sufficient. The color, sweetness, and size of the fruit are very good. Thanks to the government’s strong support and the expansion of planted acreages, this year’s production is about 30% higher compared with last year. However, higher production has led to a fall…
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Japan: Strawberry Farms Devastated by Floods
October 17, 2019
The city of Sano, in Japan's Tochigi Prefecture, is struggling to recover from the damage left in the wake of Typhoon Hagibis. The owners of flooded farms growing the prefecture's mainstay "Tochiotome"-brand strawberry now fear that their plants may not bear fruit in time for picking season. Tochigi Prefecture is a major strawberry producer, leading the country in yields for the past 51 years. Demand for strawberries spikes from November with the fruit being used for Christmas cakes and other…
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