Last week, the specialists of the Central Laboratory of Russia revealed the poor quality of imported fruit and vegetables of a total weight of 187.2 tons from Turkey, Bulgaria, and from Belgium.
According to the research, 131.6 tonnes of nectarines, peaches, and pears from Spain and France, 55.1 tons of grapes from Turkey and Bulgaria, as well as half a ton of lettuce leaf from Belgium were contaminated with pesticide residues and nitrates.
Source: www.fruit-inform.com
France
France: Apple&pear production down
The production of apples and pears in France has decreased compared to last year, mostly because of a smaller harvest. This according to the French ministry of agriculture.
Late September the apple supply was 44% lower than in September 2012. According to estimates the production of apples is down 24%. Prognosfruit states it’s a 9% drop compared to the European 2011 average. With supplies running low, prices are markedly higher. At the start of the season, prices already rose with 21% compared to the 2007-2011 average. By September the increase was 23% higher. Pears went through a similar movement, with a 34% drop in production.
The market for top fruit was stable for quite a while, but in August the supply soared. A big chunk of the surplus has been shipped to Russia, Germany and Scandinavia. Despite a relatively small crop, prices remained more or less the same. Now, with the current production shortage, prices went up with 33% compared to the 5-year average.
Source: www.freshplaza.com