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Argentina's Blueberry Industry and Fresh Results Loses a True Innovator

This story deviates from our normal editorial line to pay homage to a friend of Agronometrics. Alejandro was a customer of Agronometrics and one of the people who was truly passionate about the industry as well as the insights that could be gained from data. Reading the obituary bellow made me reflect on the many extended conversations we had about the industry and the different developments that were shaping the global blueberry markets. Thanks to these conversations several improvements to the service came into existence and will live on for the benefit of the industry. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. Colin Fain Original published in Spanish by the Asociacion de Productores de Arándanos de la Mesopotamia Argentina (APAMA) www.amapa.com on December 01, 2020 Access the original article with this ( Link ) Alejandro Narvaja was an innovative leader in developing and using data from the blueberry industry to educate growers, exporters and the blueberry industry. For nea

Tighter supplies of Washington apples brings pricing back in line

Overview of the Washington apples supply by Dan Davis of Starr Ranch Growers, complemented by charts from Agronometrics. Original published in FreshPlaza.com on January 13, 2020 Supplies of Washington apples are slimmer than usual. “Right now, the overall crop is 15-20 percent off from what we estimated last year, so supplies are certainly tight across the board,” says Dan Davis of Starr Ranch Growers in Wenatchee, WA. He notes conventional supplies are tighter than their organic counterparts given Starr Ranch had an increase in its organic volume. “Conventionally, especially on a lot of the later harvests such as Fujis, we’re significantly off in volume.” Volumes (in KG) of Apples from Washington in the US Market Source: USDA Market News via Agronometrics . (Agronometrics users can view this chart with live updates here ) Meanwhile on Starr Ranch’s club varieties such as Juici and KORU, it’s had continued growth with these varieties. “It’s been an interesting and trying

Agronometrics in Charts: Blueberry Coalition publishes analysis in response to ITC investigation

This week's article takes a different tone from our normal publications. I want to take the opportunity to highlight the work Tomas Prusa did, analyzing the blueberry markets for the Coalition for Progress and Health, an organization that was formed in response to the USITC section 201 investigation which opposes US import limitations. Before this takes a political tone, it’s important to highlight that Agronometrics is not taking a stance in the investigation. We have clients who are on either side and we look to support every subscriber with the same data and the same level of customer service. Dr. Prusa, a professor of economics at Rutgers University, and a consultant to the coalition hired our service shortly after the US Trade Representative made the formal request to the USITC to initiate the section 201 investigation. As a customer of our service, we helped explain how to use the Agronometrics platform and make sense of the USDA data as we would do with any other client

Peruvian avocado exports up by 100,000MT in 2020

Overview of the Peru's avocado exports, complemented by charts from Agronometrics. Original published in FreshPlaza.com on Janauary 08, 2020 Peru exported almost 100,000 metric tons (MT) more of avocados in 2020 than in the previous year, according to news website Agraria.pe. Exports rose by 32 percent year-on-year, totaling over 410,000MT However, this increased supply was not matched by an increased value. Data from Agrodata Peru showed the value of Peruvian avocado shipments for the year that just ended as reaching $771 million. This represents a growth of only 3.5 percent in comparison to 2019. The lower increase in value, when compared to volume, is attributable to the low avocado prices in the international market. As a result of the fruit’s high supply, many destination markets were saturated. On average prices sank to $1.88 per kilo from the $2.40 seen in 2019 The primary market for Peruvian avocados was the Netherlands, which accounted for 33 percent of the t

Mango consumption continues to grow in the United States

Overview of the mango supply, complemented by charts from Agronometrics. Original published in TheProduceNews.com on January 06, 2020 The National Mango Board highlighted that, despite the difficulties caused by the COVID-19 health crisis in 2020, mango consumption in the United States had continued to grow. “We still don't have all the figures, but we have seen an increase in per capita consumption," said Manuel Michel, the executive director of the National Mango Board. "Normally, mango consumption increases by 3 to 4 percent a year. This year it will increase by 5 percent or more. In 2020 consumption increase by 3.4 to 3.5 pounds per person.” Volumes (in KG) of mangoes in the US Market Source: USDA Market News via Agronometrics . (Agronometrics users can view this chart with live updates here ) “This is the time of year when mango consumption decreases a bit. It has been increasing over the years during the holiday season. At the peak of the mango season,

International blueberry coalition formed to oppose U.S. import limitations

Overview of bluberries imports in the US market, complemented by charts from Agronometrics. Original published in FreshFruitPortal.com on January 06, 2020 A broad international coalition of blueberry companies and organizations including Driscoll's, California Giant Berry Farms, Agroberries S.A., and Family Tree Farms, has been formed to oppose limitations on imports into the U.S. The creation of the Blueberry Coalition for Progress & Health comes amid a Section 201 global safeguard investigation into blueberry imports by the International Trade Commission (ITC), which could result in trade barriers such as tariffs. According to Engineer Eddy Martinez, the National Mango Board adds great value to the mango industry. “The board has carried out very important research work on topics related to nutrition and health, with prestigious universities in the US. There has also been very important research to solve some problems in the postharvest handling of mango; which has d

Apple industry fends off pandemic, sees strong sales outlook for 2021

Overview of the apple season, complemented by charts from Agronometrics. Original published in ThePacker.com on December 31, 2020 Fresh apple inventories appeared to be down in December, compared to a year earlier, according to the Falls Church, Va.-based U.S. Apple Association. Fresh apple holdings on Dec. 1 totaled 102.8 million bushels, 13.1% less than inventories reported a year earlier, said Christopher Gerlach, director of industry analytics with U.S. Apple. Processing holdings totaled 44 million bushels, 1.3% more than last year on Dec. 1. The total number of apples in storage on Dec. 1, 2020, was 146.8 million bushels, 9.2% less than last December’s total of 161.7 million bushels and 5.2% below the five-year average for that date. In the Year of the Pandemic, the lower apple inventories were just one more headline, said Don Roper, vice president of sales and marketing for Brewster, Wash.-based Honeybear Brands and Elgin, Minn.-based Wescott Orchard & Agri Produ

Top 5 - Agronometrics In Charts - The Best Of 2020

Top 5 | The Best of 2020 Agronometrics in Charts AGRONOMETRICS Through our Agronometrics In Charts articles we use data to tell original stories that are moving the industry. You can create your own stories as well, as every chart in our articles is pulled straight from the Agronometrics platform. 1. Agronometrics in Charts: The Role of Mexican Blueberries in the U.S. Market As Mexico's season just reached its peak, the opportunity lends itself to look a bit deeper at the origin in the U.S. markets. The rise of Mexican blueberries in the U.S. market has been no small achievement. In 2010, they represented a mere blip on the map. In 2019, with 75 M lbs, they were t

Colombian avocados debut in U.S.

Overview of avocados from Colombia in the US market, complemented by charts from Agronometrics. Original published in ProduceBlueBook.com on December 15, 2020 Long a familiar feature in European supermarkets, Colombian avocados are coming to the United States. A new industry organization, the Colombia Avocado Board (CAB), has been formed to promote the fruit in this nation. William Watson, formerly of the National Mango Board and the National Watermelon Promotion Board, will serve as managing director. “Colombia is the newest origin,” observes Emiliano Escobedo, executive director of the Hass Avocado Board. “There’s a lot of investment going into Colombia. Volume out of Colombia has been relatively small,” but, he notes, “it’s a relatively young industry, with great potential.” Volumes (in KG) of avocados from Colombia in the US market Source: USDA Market News via Agronometrics . (Agronometrics users can view this chart with live updates here ) The CAB will promote Hass