EVENTI

Is it worthwhile to invest in a refrigerated storage facility as an aid for managing Drosophila suzukii? A recent study offers farmers a way to answer this question with an interactive tool.

The annual meeting of the Portuguese Association of Blueberry Producers (ANPM) concluded with a technical day at Nberry in Sátão, which hosted a meeting where the event's technical sponsors were able to show their solutions live to producers.

Pedro Bras de Oliveira emphasises the urgent need for the sector to reconnect and revitalise existing orchards. The cultivars currently planted in Portugal are obsolete and genetic improvement has led to new, more productive and resistant blueberry varieties.

The two-day event opened in the morning with the speakers' speeches, and will end tomorrow 28 October with a technical visit to a blueberry sorting, grading and packing point.

Considerable damage to farmers was caused by deformation and deterioration of metal structures (15% of tunnels), tearing of plastic (80% of plots), fruit damage (loss of up to 20% of raspberry production) as well as uprooting of plants.

The Global Blueberry Price Index based on 12 global retails audited 25/10/2023 has increased by 0.5% compared to the previous week. Slight decrease for premium segment.

The price index for berries in the Italian retail sector increased by 2.2%: good for currants, similar growth for blueberries and raspberries. The number of units fell by 10% to 45.

The industry has adopted new varieties of blueberries, resulting in a more diverse selection and better product quality. This change is in line with global consumer preferences and has enabled South African producers to meet specific market demands.

According to Isabel Quiroz, executive director of iQonsulting, the market analysts, Peru's blueberry volumes are expected to be between 30 and 40 per cent lower this season due to delays caused by the warmer weather caused by El Niño, but Peru's delay is the most worrying for them.

The goal is to discover and optimise the genetic building blocks that lead to the creation of extraordinary berry varieties that will delight consumers with exceptional flavour and size, but also make growing and harvesting easier.