How to read the Indian mango season

India is the major global producer of mangoes and the largest global supplier of mango puree, for domestic and export markets. European processors and traders often complain about the difficulty to read the Indian mango market. For this reason, I’m sharing background information about Indian mango. My experience in mango is based on working five … Read more

Dutch Demeter quinoa ready for harvesting

Quinoa of organic farm “de Lingehof” in the east of the Netherlands is ready for harvesting. At the 150 ha. arable farm, 3 ha. has been dedicated to quinoa, which farmer Petra Derkzen still considers an experimental crop. “At this second experience of growing quinoa on our farm, we are hoping for a yield of … Read more

New rules for placing novel foods on the European market

As of 1 January 2018, the new Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 on novel foods (the new Regulation) is applicable. It repeals and replaces Regulation (EC) No 258/97 and Regulation (EC) No 1852/2001 which were in force until 31 December 2017. According to the new rules, all products previously approved are now included in a ‘Union List’ … Read more

Late rains saved the quinoa crop in Bolivia

Despite the severe drought from August to December last year, the quinoa crop appears to be much larger than anticipated. Recent statements from the  Centro Internacional de la Quinoa (CIQ) suggest that production may be 82,500 tons. The remarkable recovery of the quinoa crop is attributed to late rains falling from December onwards in many areas. … Read more

The effect of changing quinoa prices in Bolivia: perspectives from consumers and farmers

By Jenneke van Vliet* and Freek Jan Koekoek In the first decade of the 21st century the millennial Andean food crop quinoa became known to the world as ‘superfood’: a gluten-free pseudo-cereal that contains all the essential amino-acids for human beings and a high content of proteins and minerals. As a consequence, we witnessed an … Read more

Unstable supply stimulates new business strategies for Processed Fruit and Vegetable (PFV) industry

As a result of adverse weather the processed fruits and vegetables industry faces major challenges in the supply of raw material, and more businesses choose to take primary production in their own hands. This is one of the main trends mentioned by the expert participants during the PFV Focus Group meeting organised by CBI. Many … Read more