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Will Europe's Farmer Protests Make Their Way To The U.S.?

Thu, 26 Sep 2024 20:11:09 GMT

In case you haven’t heard, farmers across Europe are fed up with their politicians and bureaucrats telling them how to farm. Such sentiment is nothing new. What is new is that the level of frustration has grown to the point where thousands of farmers are taking to the streets with their 15-ton tractors and marching to the capitals and major cities of European countries to give government officials a message: enough already.

For those of us old enough to remember, this moment has a bit of historical déjà vu to it. Flash back to the late 1970s when on this side of the pond, Washington, D.C. was stormed by thousands of farmers driving their tractors to protest critically low commodities prices, higher input costs, falling land values and rising interest rates. This was the warning shot signaling even more dire times to come as the farm crisis of the 1980s followed.

Now, nearly 45 years later, the flame still burns. But this time the fire is taking off in Europe. The ingredients for the discontent are much the same—low prices, costly inputs, high interest rates and so forth. However, the recipe has added an ingredient that has quickly become the biggest fly in the soup as far as European farmers are concerned.

Policy Pushback
The European Green Deal, approved in 2020, is a set of policy initiatives established by the European Commission. Its overarching aim is to make the European Union (EU) climate-neutral by 2050. For European farmers, one of the most controversial components of the deal was the goal to reduce chemical fertilizer and pesticide use by 50% by 2030. That, combined with plans to idle more farmland to increase land biodiversity and forests, along with very little funding directed to farmers to facilitate and harbor such a transition, set the stage for a revolt.

From Berlin and Paris to Brussels and Bucharest, European farmers have driven their tractors to the streets in protest in recent weeks. In Germany, an estimated 30,000 protestors and thousands of tractors brought Berlin’s city centre “to a standstill” in mid-January due to dissatisfaction with the government over the cutting of agricultural fuel subsidies. The protests in France erupted over plans to reduce agricultural fuel subsidies and the government’s push to halve pesticide use by the end of this decade.

The situation escalated to a point where farmers sprayed manure on a local government building in the city of Dijon. In Paris, hundreds of tractors blocked off major roads into the country’s capital in what was called the “siege of Paris” by many media outlets—one of which being BBC News.

By mid-February, protests had spread to other European countries including Italy, Greece, Belgium, Poland, Spain and even Romania and Lithuania. There seems to be no sign of this fire going out any time soon. All the politicians can hope for is that springtime and Mother Nature will draw the farmers and their tractors back to their fields to sow their spring crops and allow the political firestorm to cool off.

But hope is not a strategy, and European farmers know it. Now the question may be how much of the “green gains” are EU’s leaders willing to concede in order to save their political hide. The European Commission, the executive arm of the EU, now intends to scrap the plan to halve pesticide use. It also decided to exclude the agricultural sector from the strict timeline for cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 90% before 2040. In Germany, farmers gained some concessions from the government on the issue of fuel subsidies but continue their demand for full reinstatement. On Feb. 1 in France, the main farmer unions called for an end to the protests after “securing promises of governmental assistance” on finance and regulatory issues. And in the EU’s home base, farmers “won their first concession from Brussels” after the commission proposed to delay rules for setting aside land for biodiversity.

Whether it is luck, strategy or irony on the part of the farmers, Europe’s reassessment of its climate policies comes as the bloc approaches EU parliamentary elections in June. The elections are expected to bring more far-right and fringe lawmakers into Parliament. Already, the continent’s political pundits are saying the next political cycle (2024-29) “will undoubtedly be less green to the point of putting into question the implementation of the green new deal.” Plus, the recent protests “are just a prelude of the further clashes to come.”

Too Many Sticks, Too Few Carrots
Will this fire jump the pond, and could we once again see tractors showing up on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.? Need I remind you, it is an election year here, too.

It is unfair and unwise to think farmers—no matter the continent where they live—are going to carry the costs of going green on their backs alone. At some point, all this needs to stop being an academic exercise and become an economic one. Start paying more to the farmer for carbon credits. Provide the tax incentives to finance the transition to “greener” farms. And stop with the rhetoric that burping cows are going to cause the next apocalypse.

Down on the farm in the U.S., the green agenda is at a crossroads. The question will be whether we will make the same mistakes Europe did and try to drive a green agenda too fast with a stick-heavy approach. The first litmus test may come sooner rather than later as Congress still has a new farm bill to pass. It is expected to be the “greenest” farm bill on record. This election year, given what’s happening in Europe, will our politicians pile on the carrots instead of giving us more sticks? Come November election time, we will see which road we are headed down.

Agtools to show at Fruit Logistica

Thu, 01 Feb 2024 22:15:07 GMT

Irvine, Calif.-based Agtools is heading to the Feb. 7-9 Fruit Logistica show in Berlin to share insights on avocados.

Agtools executives will share the company’s experience on the first-mile (origin) supply chain, according to a news release.

After reporting in 2023 about mangoes at Fruit Logistica, Agtools will present during a session called “Avocado — State of the Market and Data for Optimized Marketing.” The session will look at the global avocado market, focusing on the many variables at the first mile or ground zero, the release said.

While a study by Oracle NetSuit reveals that 95% of people are overwhelmed with data at work, Agtools says it is succeeding at converting raw data into reliable, curated and audited data to make it simple for every food supply chain stakeholder.

The session will discuss how data-informed decisions can assist in optimizing the commodity journey and present case studies on commodity phenology and sustainability, according to the release.

Agtools will highlight market trends, pricing history and existing predictive models that could help visualize data and how these discoveries could help build new possibilities and return flows, the release said. Agtools says it fills the void with data and training as more than two-thirds of the younger employee generation believe training isn’t just effective, but vital for a successful career, the release said.

Activist group claims European produce shows rising ‘forever chemicals’

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 14:52:14 GMT

Fruit and vegetables in Europe are increasingly contaminated with PFAS pesticide residues, according to a new report from the Pesticide Action Network Europe .

The 91-page report, called “Toxic Harvest: The rise of forever pesticides in fruit and vegetables in Europe,” states the number of European fruit and vegetables with detected PFAS pesticide residues has nearly tripled between 2011 and 2021, with a growth rate of 220% for fruit and of 274% for vegetables, according to a news release.

The ongoing accumulation of PFAS in soils, waters and the food chain, along with other chemical substances or “chemical cocktails,” pose long-term risks to human health and the environment, the release said.

“A ban on the use of PFAS pesticides is urgent to curb European citizen exposure to PFAS pesticides and protect citizen health, including that of the most vulnerable groups, such as pregnant women, babies and children,” the Pesticide Action Network Europe said in the release.

The study tracked the presence of the active substances used in pesticides in the EU that are per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS. In some of the EU member states studied individually, the growth rate has been even more dramatic, such as Austria (+698% for fruit, +3,277% for vegetables) and Greece (+696% in fruit, +1,974% in vegetables), the release said.

A detailed analysis of the 2021 data, the most recent published to date, shows that non-organic fruit, especially summer fruit, are the products most frequently contaminated with PFAS pesticide residues, according to the release.

Zooming in on fruits grown in Europe, 37% of strawberries, 35% of peaches and 31% of apricots are contaminated, the release said. Of this contaminated European-grown fruit, 20% contain cocktails of PFAS pesticide residues, with up to four different PFAS pesticides detected in a single sample of strawberries and table grapes, and up to three in peaches and apricots, according to the release.

While, on average, a smaller percentage of European-grown vegetables (12%) is contaminated with PFAS pesticide residues compared to fruit, some vegetables are as frequently contaminated as the top-ranked fruit (chicories: 42%; cucumbers: 30%).

Among imported fruit and vegetables, those most likely to contain residues of PFAS pesticides came from Costa Rica (41%), India (38%), South Africa (28%), Colombia (26%) and Morocco (24%), the release said.

In 2021, the most often detected PFAS active substances in contaminated European-grown products were the fungicide fluopyram, the insecticide flonicamid and the fungicide trifloxystrobin, the report said.

Fruit Logistica shifts date, concept for show

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 18:06:15 GMT

The European fresh produce trade show Fruit Logistica is rescheduling to May 18-20 with a new model that includes both in-person and virtual elements.

With the tagline “Meet onsite. Connect online” the adapted “special edition” concept for the Berlin trade show focuses on business meetings and turn-key exhibition packages to maximize exhibitors’ flexibility and business opportunities, according to a news release.

“Covid-19 confronts us with challenges none of us can eliminate,” Madlen Miserius, senior product manager at Fruit Logistica, said in the release. “Our approach is to enable our customers to better manage their risks and further increase their business opportunities.”

With the May date for 2020 (compared with Feb. 5-7 last year) it is more likely a greater number of buyers will be able to attend as the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to ease, according to the release.

Digital elements of the show will include meeting functions and broadcasting of the conference program, according to the release.

The adapted concept, based on turn-key exhibition packages, will reduce investment and lead time for exhibitors, organizers said.

“With our adapted concept, we want to enable the global fresh fruit and vegetable industry to meet and reconnect in Berlin in 2021 in a safe environment,” Miserius said in the release. “While Fruit Logistica Special Edition 2021 builds on a clearly reduced total space, it offers the opportunity for a maximum number of registered companies to showcase products onsite.”

The Packer’s COVID-19 Coverage

The Packer’s Fruit Logistica Coverage

Apeel expands distribution in Germany, reveals food waste reduction

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:36:22 GMT

Germany’s Edeka Group is offering citrus and avocados treated by Apeel Science’s plant-derived technology in more than 11,000 Edeka and Netto stores throughout Germany.

A pilot test this year of Apeel’s technology in about 2,900 Edeka and Netto Marken-Discount stores resulted in a 50% reduction in wasted avocados and greater consumer satisfaction, according to a news release.

The release said Edeka and Santa Barbara, Calif.-based Apeel plan to introduce additional items, subject to approval by European Union authorities.

“With the nationwide launch of Apeel in our stores, we are reaching a new milestone in our goal of reducing food waste and the use of plastic packaging step-by-step,” E Mosa, CEO of Hamburg-based Edeka AG, said in the release. “We also support our shoppers to make an active contribution themselves to prevent valuable food in the household from ending up in the garbage bin.”

The pilot with Apeel was conducted in the first half of the year. Avocados from Chile and Peru were treated with Apeel’s plant-based solution. Over a period of twelve weeks, shrink and food loss, sales and turnover values were tracked, according to the release.

When compared with avocados from a control group, Apeel treated avocados had half the waste. Stores with the Apeel program saw a 20% growth in avocado sales, with fewer avocados lost to spoilage and increased customer demand.

Avocados treated with Apeel have an extended shelf like because the plant-derived technology retains moisture while reducing oxidation, according to the release.

“When we use nature’s solutions to solve food waste, everyone benefits — food retailers, shoppers and ultimately, the environment,” CEO James Rogers said in the release.

Results at Edeka suggest the industry is “entering an age of sustainability,” according to the release.

“Solving food waste goes beyond a better bottom line: it’s now understood to be the number-one way to fight climate change,” he said.

Apeel poise for growth

Apeel avocados expand to Europe

Apeel Sciences reveal supplier network

CPMA to highlight sustainability at Fruit Logistica

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:25:03 GMT

The Canadian Produce Marketing Association , Ottawa, Ontario, plans to highlight sustainability programs and advocacy work on behalf of Canadian produce companies at the Fruit Logistica exposition.

The massive expo, Feb. 5-7 in Berlin, features about 3,200 exhibitors, according to a CPMA news release. CPMA will be in the Canadian Pavilion in Hall 23, booth A-15.

CPMA President Ron Lemaire, who will be at the booth with CPMA staff, said the group plans to highlight its Waste Efficiency Tool, Plastics Packaging Working Group and working with the Canadian government on industry issues.

“As the produce sector becomes more globally interconnected each year, it is important for CPMA to remain apprised of worldwide trends, in order to support innovation and prosperity for our member companies,” Lemaire said in the release.

Other CPMA representative that are scheduled to attend Fruit Logistica are:

Oleen Smethurst, chairwoman of the CPMA board of directors;
Sue Lewis, vice president of market development; and
Heather Urban, director of market development.

Related articles:

CPMA offers online Waste Efficiency Tool to members

CPMA releases report on plastics in produce industry

Canadian kayaker to promote ‘Half Your Plate’ for CPMA

Glyphosate a Hot Button Issue in Germany

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:11:34 GMT

The debate over weed killers containing glyphosate continues to be issue in Germany. Reuters reporting the country wants to end the use of glyphosate-based products. Products like Roundup, which is made by Germany based Bayer AG, are the subject of a big debate. German leaders agreed earlier this year to limit glyphosate use with the goal to end using it, but no timeline has been set. Farmers worry about losing an important tool. Bayer Leaders say the company must get more involved in the conversation. The head of Bayer CropScience in Germany says a ban would result in more ploughing and put German farmers at a competitive disadvantage. He went on to say that the debate over it in Germany is shaped by politics, not by science which shows the chemical is safe.

Related article:

Germany seeking an end date for glyphosate use

Fruit Logistica 2021 canceled

Fri, 19 Mar 2021 22:52:27 GMT

The 2021 edition of Fruit Logistica is canceled.

“Because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic in Europe and the rest of the world we are forced to cancel the special edition even though the market’s desire for a physical event was very strong,” the Fruit Logistica website said.

The website message said current prospects for international business travel to Berlin and large face-to-face gatherings are too low. “With this decision we want to safeguard our customers in terms of their health and their investments,” the website said.

Event organizers said they are working hard at prepare for a “vibrant on-site Fruit Logistica 2022 in Berlin on Feb. 9 to Feb. 11.

Fruit Logistica restricts access to only fully vaccinated or recovered for February show in Berlin

Mon, 15 Nov 2021 21:58:29 GMT

Only those who are fully vaccinated or recovered from the coronavirus will be allowed to attend Fruit Logistica 2022, according to event organizers.

The fresh produce trade show is set as an in-person event from Feb. 9 to 11 in Berlin, Germany.

Because of regulations now in place, organizers said in a news release that only fully vaccinated or recovered participants will be allowed to enter the events “until further notice.”

That means, according to the release, that all of the participants must provide digital proof of their vaccination or recovered status to be able to enter the Berlin trade fair exhibition area.

“The decision regarding the entry regulation now provides clarity for all of the participants so that they can make further preparations for the trade fair,” Kai Mangelberger, the director of Fruit Logistica, said in the release.

As thing stands as of mid-November, the current regulations will enable the event to be held without any further restrictions being placed on exhibitors and visitors, according to the release.

“The core component of Fruit Logistica 2022 will be personal meetings within the international fruit trade industry at the event,” Mangelberger said in the release. “The new regulations will make this event safer and more intensive at the same time.”

Entry to the exhibition will only be possible with personalized tickets purchased in advance and online via the Fruit Logistica ticket shop. The ticket shop is expected to open at the end of November, according to the release.

A list of frequently asked questions is available online at the Fruit Logistica website .

Face to face: Fruit Logistica 2022

Mon, 18 Oct 2021 03:34:52 GMT

The leading trade fair for the global fruit trade, which will take place in Berlin from February 9th to 11th as a face-to-face event, reports a high number of registrations and a high level of internationality.

From February 9 to 11, 2022, the time has finally come: Fruit Logistica, the world’s leading trade fair for the fruit and vegetable industry, will once again take place as a face-to-face event in Berlin. In addition to the triad of fresh inspiration, the best information and new business opportunities, Fruit Logistica 2022 will give the industry a glimpse into the future and provide answers to the question of how the fruit trade will develop in the medium and long term.

Kai Mangelberger, acting project manager of Fruit Logistica “The desire for personal encounters at a physical event is huge, precisely because it has not been possible for so long. We know that some companies have been hesitant to sign up. But this reluctance has steadily decreased because international trade fair venues, including Berlin, show that face-to-face events can take place again. We are very far with the planning and today sent our exhibitors their placement offers. “

The number of registered exhibitors for Fruit Logistica 2022 is already at a comparable level to the last event and the internationality with companies from 68 countries is also very positive. “Based on the previous registration status, we are expecting well over 2,000 exhibitors for Fruit Logistica 2022,” says Kai Mangelberger. Even if the strongest participation comes from Europe, Central and South America are also very strongly represented. But Fruit Logistica 2022 will not only be very international. In more than 25 halls, exhibitors from the entire value chain of fresh fruit and vegetables will present themselves, from the producer to the point of sale, including the key players in the industry.

Site plan for Fruit Logistica 2022

From the freshness sector, Dole, Fyffes, SanLucar and Zespri are among them. Maersk and Ethihad Cargo should be mentioned in the logistics sector, Edeka from the food retail sector, Sormac and Greefa from the machinery and technology sector and Euro Pool System from the packaging sector. BioTropic, the Federal Association of Fruit and Vegetable Producer Organizations (BVEO), Driscoll’s and Fruit Masters are also confirmed.

“In the last 18 months we have learned that it is possible to hold international meetings from your desk. But we have also learned that they cannot replace the pleasure and immediacy of a face-to-face conversation. We look forward to exhibiting at Fruit Logistica because it is the world’s most comprehensive event for the fruit and vegetable industry, ”says Rita Biserni, responsible for international marketing at the Italian exhibitor Alegra. Bert Haffmans, Managing Director of the Dutch exhibitor Sormac, adds: “We can finally meet again in person at one of the largest events for fruit and vegetables, Fruit Logistica. The world of freshness comes back together. We can’t wait to meet our existing customers and new customers,

An overview of all exhibitors at Fruit Logistica 2022, including co-exhibitors, will be published on the Fruit Logistica website in November.

Honoring the innovators at Fruit Logistica

Fri, 08 Apr 2022 19:33:18 GMT

The 2022 Fruit Logistica Innovation Award went to the Amela tomato by Granada La Palma from Spain, according to a news release.

Receiving about two-thirds of votes cast by trade visitors to the April 5-7 trade show in Berlin, the tomato scored as the best innovation at the international fresh produce trade expo, according to the release.

The Amela variety boasts an intense aroma, a high Brix value and many nutrients and amino acids, according to the release.

“For a Spanish cooperative like La Palma, this recognition means a lot,” Pedro Ruiz, president of Granada La Palma, said in the release. “It is a great honor to receive such an important recognition at the most important trade show in the world.”

The silver innovation award went to Tevel Advanced Technologies from Israel for their flying autonomous robot, according to the release.

The bronze FLIA went to Syngenta Seeds from the Netherland, which developed a cauliflower with side shoots, according to the release. After several years of testing, the company introduced “iStem” in 2021 to the market in the United Kingdom. The talks are very tender and taste nutty and sweet, so that the cauliflower can be eaten raw or cooked, the release said.

Photo credit: Fruit Logistica Media

TOMRA Food celebrates 50th anniversary, unveils new brand strategy

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 19:53:14 GMT

The April 5-7 Fruit Logistica show in Berlin was the backdrop of several developments at TOMRA Food that recognized the company’s past growth and future ambitions.

The company marked its 50th anniversary, unveiled a new brand strategy and launched both a robotic packing machine and sorting machine for frozen fruits and vegetables, according to a news release.

The company was founded in Norway on April 1, 1972, by brothers Petter and Tore Planke, who the release said developed the first fully automated reverse vending machine in their family’s garage.

Now, the global operator said it was seeking to align all of its operations.

Two businesses acquired by TOMRA in 2018, Compac and BBC Technologies, now will adopt the TOMRA Food brand name, according to the release. These will form a newly created business area, TOMRA Fresh Food, while TOMRA Food’s other operations become part of the TOMRA Processed Food business area, according to the company. The TOMRA Food brand name will now be accompanied for the first time by a tagline: “Every Resource Counts,” the release said.

“Looking to the future, TOMRA Food is committed to leading the resource revolution in a world where every piece of food counts,” Michel Picandet, executive vice president and head of TOMRA Food, said in the release.

“Focusing on sorting and grading, and working closely with our customers, we can improve the value of food from harvesting to processing and packing, and even to distribution and consumption, considering the great value of the digital tools and data we provide,” the release said.

At Fruit Logistica, TOMRA Fresh Food introduced a new robotic packing machine, the KETE16. The robotic packer is capable of matching the speed and capacity of the fastest clamshell and punnet fillers, while also offering flexibility in pack type and case configuration, according to the release.

Tomra Food presents new organization, unveils AI-powered platforms

Tue, 13 Feb 2024 22:40:11 GMT

Tomra Food has unveiled its new organizational structure, showcased its sorting, grading and packing solutions, and has launched three new artificial intelligence-powered sorting and grading solutions.

Tomra Food says its new structure creates a more agile and responsive organization, closer to its customers, with greater capacity for innovating and bringing effective solutions to the market.

The company is adopting a new, regional structure consisting of three areas: Europe, the Middle East and Africa; Americas; and Asia-Pacific. Within each area, it is merging its Tomra Processed Food and Tomra Fresh Food business areas into one Tomra Food team, the release said.

The final element of the new structure is the creation of a new central hub that brings together R&D, product development and operations, increasing Tomra Food’s operational efficiency and innovation speed, the company said.

The announcements were made at a press conference held at the Fruit Logistica exhibition in Berlin by Harald Henriksen, executive vice president and head of Tomra Food, and Karel Strubbe, Europe, the Middle East and Africa regional director of Tomra Food, according to a news release.

“Throughout its history, Tomra Food has shown its ability to adapt and innovate to provide the solutions our customers really need,” Henriksen said in the release. “That’s what we are doing with our new organization, which will benefit them in different ways. The regional approach will allow us to operate as a local partner, having a more direct dialogue with our customers and responding swiftly to their very diverse needs.

“Unifying our two business areas into one Tomra Food team means that we can capitalize on the best practices from each to work more effectively and deliver top-tier solutions and services,” Henriksen continued. “Finally, by centralizing our R&D and operations into a dedicated unit, we will be able to leverage the collective expertise and efforts of our entire team, boosting our ability to innovate and bring more and better solutions to our customers — and lead the resource revolution with them.”

Also at Fruit Logistica, Tomra Food launched three solutions that demonstrate how AI is changing food processing:

Tomra Neon, a new blueberry pre-grader that uses AI modeling to detect clusters. Extensive validation tests have shown Tomra Neon removes more than 95% of clusters and over 90% of red and green berries to optimize the optical grader’s efficiency, the release said.
The new-generation Spectrim X grading platform features LUCAi Deep Learning technology for apples. This intelligent optical sorting and grading solution meets customers’ demand for greater productivity with unparalleled grading precision, higher yields, minimal fruit loss and reduced operational costs, the release said.
Tomra Food also unveiled Tomra LUCAi for its InVision2 grading platform for cherries. The deep learning technology maximizes pack-out results and minimizes fruit loss, the release said.

What to expect at Fruit Logistica 2025

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 19:07:05 GMT

Fruit Logistica returns to Berlin on Feb. 5-7 and is expected to draw over 2,500 exhibitors from 86 countries, according to a news release.

“Our guiding theme is Fruitful Connections, and that’s because Berlin is the place to make contacts, share new plans and build partnerships,” said Kai Mangelberger, director of Fruit Logistica. “We are excited to offer our exhibitors and visitors countless opportunities to strengthen existing relationships and forge new ones, all aimed at driving sustainable growth.”

Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain and France remain its top five countries in terms of exhibitor numbers, but the number of companies taking part from Asia, the Middle East and North Africa, and Africa is also set to grow, organizers said.

A new feature of Fruit Logistica in2025 is an expanded, three-day Startup World , which shines a light on groundbreaking solutions and emerging technologies that can bring new success to the fresh produce industry, according to the release.

Fruit Logistica also is making its trend report available for free download. The report offers insights into emerging supply chains, new sources of produce and transformative market developments, the release said.

Fruit Logistica 2025 is set to offer a series of informative talks and discussions on the Fresh Produce Forum, Future Lab, Logistics Hub, Tech Stage and Farming Forward stage.

The event’s final day is set to culminate in a celebration of the fresh produce industry; after the show’s first-ever Mascot Race, there will be champagne and music to enhance the day’s prestigious Fruit Logistica Innovation Awards ceremony, the release said.