News

Branded varieties burst into stores

Pome fruit March 21, 2019



With harvest season well under way, newer varieties are starting to make an appearance in stores. While some start earlier, March is the prime picking month for most varieties, meaning now is the best time to taste an apple you may not have tried before.

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New high-tech factory unlocking global opportunities

Pome fruit Stone Fruit Packaging & labelling March 20, 2019



Shepparton’s Geoffrey Thompson Fruit Packing will juice, sort and export more fresh fruit from the Goulburn Valley thanks to a high-tech new fruit processor.

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Mango industry discovers highly infectious bacteria as cause of ugly veins of resin canal discolouration

Mangoes Disease & weed control March 20, 2019



Scientists have worked out what causes ugly veins to appear in mangoes — a breakthrough that could save the industry millions of dollars each year.

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Stem cell science being used to smash avocado shortage by speeding up tree growth

Avocado March 19, 2019



In a dim pink room at the University of Queensland, thousands of small avocado trees are being grown from cuttings and lovingly tended to.

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This robot gripper can lift 100 times its own weight

Technology in agriculture March 18, 2019



This robot gripper can pick up unconventional items like fruit.

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Non-browning Arctic apple could be breakthrough product, overcoming anti-GMO fears

Pome fruit March 18, 2019



Non-browning apples could change how people think and talk about genetically modified food.

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Avocado seeds may be able to treat inflammation

Avocado March 16, 2019



Avocado seed extracts could be a potential source for novel anti-inflammatory compounds that could be developed as a functional food ingredient or pharmaceuticals, according to researchers.

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3 reasons why the Costa share price could beat the ASX200 this year

Marketing & export March 15, 2019



Costa is Australia’s largest horticultural company that grows avocados, berries, mushrooms, citrus fruit and tomatoes.

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2019 Almond Crop Update

Almonds March 15, 2019



The 2019 Australian Almond crop is estimated by the Australian almond processors and marketers to be 93,000 tonnes.

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Stickers to keep fruit fresh

Packaging & labelling March 13, 2019



About 52% of fresh fruits and vegetables go to waste in the US during transportation, but the Stixfresh sticker aims to help combat food waste.

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Blue light increases anthocyanin content in cherries

Cherries March 11, 2019



A research study has shown how light wavelengths can influence the quality of cherries in cold storage.

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Macadamia nuts double in price as growers struggle to keep up with demand

Macadamias March 11, 2019



If you're a fan of snacking on Australia's only commercially grown native nut — the macadamia — you may have noticed prices rising on supermarket shelves. The Australian Macadamia Society said the price consumers were paying for the nut had doubled in the last 10 years, from $25 per kilogram to about $50 per kilogram.

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AI diagnostics tool to help identify fruit fly gender

Fruit Fly March 8, 2019



A South Australian company has developed an AI diagnostics tool that combines a microscope and smartphone to deliver agtech solutions.

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Humble pear gets a makeover

Pome fruit March 7, 2019



Rocky Varapodio has a plan to bring the humble pear into the 21st century.

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ABARES Outlook reports Chile to increase competition against Aussie horticulture exports

Marketing & export March 7, 2019



CHINA might be lapping up the quality of Australian horticulture products but Chile is intent on making sure the "waking dragon" doesn't fall too far in love with the land Down Under.

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