On the far side of yet another dark pandemic episode, farmers will welcome their slow-moving vehicles to be emblazoned with bumper stickers declaring:  WE’VE BEEN VAXED!

In recent years, the mergers of global crop protection companies promised robust R & D pipelines.  But the reality is that fewer products and label extensions will come to horticulture. That’s because there’s a bottleneck of reduced trial capacity at the Pest Management Centre says apple grower Charles Stevens, Newcastle, ON. 

The cost of energy-intensive fertilizer is set to increase under a new carbon tax regime. It’s yet another burning issue for horticulture, on top of labour and crop protection. 

John Molenhuis, business analysis and cost-of-production specialist for the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) worked with the grape, tender fruit and apple groups for years, updating baseline measurements every five years that compare the average of the group to the top 25. 

Events by invitation-only became the norm in 2020 as the pandemic curbed in-person contact. The impacts of COVID-19 on research, new product launches and extension efforts will be felt for years to come. 

Cultivar, a produce company based in Spain, has won first prize in the “Best Convenience Packaging” category of the World Food Innovation Awards. The jury praised the functionality and aesthetic appeal of the paper-based format, while noting the reduction of plastic.

Despite the pandemic, the produce supply chain held strong in 2020 with Canada receiving 49 per cent of American produce exports valued at $3.5 billion. The number is unchanged from 2019.  

The Mosaic Company, a producer and marketer of concentrated phosphate and potash crop nutrients, will collaborate with AgBiome, to discover, develop and launch novel biological approaches to enhancing soil fertility.

The Produce Marketing Association and United Fresh Produce Association will combine on January 1, 2022. The new association will be led jointly by Cathy Burns and Tom Stenzel throughout 2022. After that, Burns will become the sole CEO. 

2020 exports of the blue superfruit were valued at US$1.020 billion, up 23.4 per cent compared to 2019. For two years now, Peru has outpaced Chile in blueberry production. 

Cultivar, a produce company based in Spain, has won first prize in the “Best Convenience Packaging” category of the World Food Innovation Awards. The jury praised the functionality and aesthetic appeal of the paper-based format, while noting the reduction of plastic.

Despite the pandemic, the produce supply chain held strong in 2020 with Canada receiving 49 per cent of American produce exports valued at $3.5 billion. The number is unchanged from 2019.  

The Mosaic Company, a producer and marketer of concentrated phosphate and potash crop nutrients, will collaborate with AgBiome, to discover, develop and launch novel biological approaches to enhancing soil fertility.

The Produce Marketing Association and United Fresh Produce Association will combine on January 1, 2022. The new association will be led jointly by Cathy Burns and Tom Stenzel throughout 2022. After that, Burns will become the sole CEO. 

2020 exports of the blue superfruit were valued at US$1.020 billion, up 23.4 per cent compared to 2019. For two years now, Peru has outpaced Chile in blueberry production. 

After two years of research and pilots, Luci Faas was successful in identifying a home-compostable cucumber wrap for Nature Fresh Farms, Leamington, Ontario. The Canadian Produce Marketing Association is honouring her as one of 10 Women in Produce nominees. 

Joshua Mosiondz will be joining the Horticulture Technology unit of Ontario’s ag ministry, effective immediately. 

The Canadian Produce Marketing Association announces its 2021 board of directors.  At the April 28^th board meeting, Guy Milette of Courchesne Larose Ltée will assume the role as chair for 2021/2022.

The Canadian Horticultural Council recognized Quebecer Jocelyn St-Denis and Ontarian Hector Delanghe for their outstanding contributions to the sector. 

The Canadian Produce Marketing Association has announced 20 participants for the Passion for Produce program to be delivered virtually around Fresh Week in April.