Reader’s digest February 2021

In February 2021, we published the following articles:

• Argentina is expecting a record production this year, with more than 540.000 tonnes, if all goes well.
• Price negotiations for the 2021 season have started in Italy.
• In Italy, the annual trade report (ISMEA) shows very satisfactory sales. The effects of the pandemic were more sales in local shops and less out-of-home catering.
• Canada and the UK are boycotting imports from "Chinese forced labor", including those of tomato-based products. This follows the ban set in September by the Trump administration. 
• The UC Davis University of California developed a software program calculating fertilizer needs for the processing tomatoes.
• California is at risk of drought, in spite of the recent snowfalls. The situation is however slightly better than last year's.
• Tomato harvest started in Australia, in northern Victoria and southern South Wales. Processors need to restock after the panic buying caused by the pandemic.
• The Bangladesh-based company Pran-RFL group started using aseptic processing for tomato pulp to enable its export.
• The European research project HARNESSTOM, in collaboration with the CTAEX, aims to increase the resistance and quality of tomato varieties.
• The tomato harvest started in New-Zealand, with a good quality crop and good harvesting conditions.
• Researchers from INRAE analyzed more than two million minor variations of the tomato genome and identified genes that could be involved in the flavor of tomatoes.
• Global food trade has been upended by a container crisis, due to China paying huge premiums for containers.
• Paste Prices, February 2021: USA, Spain, Portugal, Italy, China, Chile.
• Global Trade of Tomato Paste, updated 17 February 2021.
• In Spain, water reserves are at about 58% of their capacity, thanks to recent rainfalls.
• France is now the world' third largest importer of tomato products.
• Obituary: Steve Smith, Senior Director of Agriculture at Red Gold.
• Various methods have proven effective to eradicate the ToBRFV virus: Groen Agro Control's research showed disinfecting drain water with ozone is very efficient, Luyx Ultrasound has built a strong underwater ultrasound transmitter which fights tobamoviruses effectively.
• WPTC Forecast as of February 16 is currently at 39,5 million tonnes.
• In Extremadura, the average price for the season is EUR 78.
• In California, a pathogen causing vine decline, the fusarium falciforme, is creating significant concern or the tomato producers.
• To date, the impact of Brexit on tomato imports to the UK has not been significant.
• Portugal increased the financial aid granted to tomato growers.
• In Portugal, the reference price has now been agreed at 83-85 Euro/mT.
• Tomato producers' organizations and representatives from the IO Nord Italia finally reached a framework agreement, with a price at 92 euros per tonne.

You can find the individual articles in the NEWS list and/or search by keyword, date etc.