The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has announced it will accept either pre-harvest or finished product testing as part of its requirements for importing romaine lettuce into Canada between September 30 and December 31, 2021. The requirements apply to romaine lettuce grown in four California counties: Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, San Benito and Monterey.
The U.S.-based Produce Marketing Association has decided it will be unable to put on Fresh Summit 2021 scheduled for October 28-30 in New Orleans, Louisiana, due to the impacts of Hurricane Ida and Tropical Storm Nicholas.
U.S. Apple is predicting that the 2021-22 crop year will exceed 11.1 billion pounds or 265.4 million bushels. That’s up from a year ago, but 1.3 per cent less than the five-year production average. The Red Delicious apple variety is produced in the largest volume.
The U.S. International Trade Commission has ruled that Mexican raspberries are not a trade threat to the Washington state processed raspberry market. Neither is Canada’s small raspberry sector, concentrated near Abbotsford, British Columbia. The final report contains a chapter of insightful statistical analysis of fresh and frozen markets in Canada.
Washington State has reversed guidance to its fully vaccinated farm workers, releasing them from having to wear a mask or socially distance to work or in congregate housing. Farm groups lobbied for the change.