EarthFresh Farms of Burlington, Ont. announced its expansion into the southeastern U.S. with an advanced technological packing plant and distribution centre in Atlanta, Georgia.

The new 140,000 sq. ft. facilities will operate as EarthFresh Atlanta.

President Donald Trump says he’s asked China to immediately remove all tariffs on U.S. agricultural products, according to Bloomberg news service. That would be a boon to American farmers, especially soybean producers, but a significant ripple effect could follow in the agricultural exports of other countries.

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s recently announced intent to withdraw from the 2013 Tomato Suspension Agreement has raised the concern of an American coalition of nearly 80 businesses and industry associations. Canada is watching closely for any unintended consequences if the pull-out goes ahead on May 7.

About 90 per cent of the asparagus acreage in Germany is covered with film. That’s because white asparagus is considered the German king of vegetables. The season kicks off in April.

The U.S. and China have started to outline commitments in principle on the stickiest issues in their trade dispute, marking significant progress, according to one Asia news outlet.

Canadian association leaders, growers and suppliers recently united under one pavilion at Fruit Logistica for a third consecutive year. This year’s February 6-8, 2019 event in Berlin billed itself as the world’s largest fresh produce trade show.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is taking new steps to strengthen and modernize the process for issuing public warnings and notification of product recalls.

CKF of Canada has won a bronze innovation award at Fruit Logistica for its sealable, compostable and recyclable wood pulp punnets for strawberries.

The U.S. Apple Association is calling for timely ratification of USMCA and an end to steel and aluminum tariffs on Mexico and Canada – key markets for apple exports. One out of every three apples is bound for markets outside American borders.