Fruit and Vegetables Seeks New Perspectives for the European Fresh Produce Sector in Time of Geopolitical Turmoil

March 11, 2022 Freshfel Europe

The fresh fruit and vegetables sector is exposed to unprecedented business conditions resulting from the combined effects of increased costs in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic and the geopolitical instability in the Eastern part of the European continent. These developments are completely reshaping the global business environment for fresh produce. Within an interconnected and international fruit and vegetables sector, thoughts and solidarity go from the European fruit and vegetables sector to those suffering from the violence and stolen freedom from this situation.

The Floral Supply Chain Is in Disarray

Across the U.S. and the world at large, florists have faced an unprecedented set of interconnected challenges over the last two years. Why? A confluence of everything from discarded crops and poor weather to labor shortages and supply chain snags keeps tripping up the industry. And though vaccinations have set the stage for a projected 2.5 million weddings in 2022, those in the flower trade expect the pain to persist.

USDA Announces $50M in Grants Awarded to States to Support the Seafood Industry

February 15, 2022 USDA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced an investment of approximately $50 million in grants to support seafood processors, processing facilities and processing vessels through the Seafood Processors Pandemic Response and Safety Block Grant Program (SPRS).

Hong Kong’s COVID Misery Deepens With New Social Restrictions, Vegetable Shortage

Hong Kong announced stringent new coronavirus restrictions and record new infections on Tuesday, while a shortage of vegetables added to the misery as truck drivers who tested positive for COVID-19 were unable to bring them from mainland China.

Analysis: High U.S. Meat Prices: Packer Profiteering or Capacity Crunch?

January 20, 2022 David Lawder, Reuters

The Biden administration is targeting a small group of meat packers for high beef, pork and poultry prices that it says are squeezing consumers and fueling inflation, arguing that they are abusing their market power.