Reader’s Digest: February 2025

In February 2025, we published the following articles:

• Brad Free has been nominated new Chief Executive of Kagome Australia, replacing Jason Fritsch.
• Unilever sold its German pasta sauce range "Knorr – Tomato al Gusto" to Casalasco Group.
• The Bio Company, an Indian start up, is producing Bioleather from tomato waste.
• Chinese exports of tomato paste have declined in the last quarter of 2024.
• Tomato Paste Prices, February 2025: USA, Spain, Portugal, Italy, China, Chile.
• The company PlantTape launched an automated tomato transplanter, enabling rapid transplanting and increasing efficiency and precision.
• Israeli researchers developed a machine learning model, using hyperspectral imaging, to assess the quality of tomatoes before harvest.
• Green Spot Technologies and Conesa announced a partnership. Tomato by-products will be transformed into functional high-value ingredients for sauce applications.
• OI Pomodoro Nord launched the Tomato Water project, an initiative for sustainable management of water in the processing tomato supply chain.
• Casalasco further enriches its brand portfolio with the Pummaro, Polpabella and Sugo Lampo brands from STAR Alimentare.
• The WPTC global world production estimate has been set at 40.5 million tonnes for 2025.
• Global Exports of Tomato Paste, updated February 14, 2025.
• The tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) was discovered in Australia fin December 2024. Strict measures are now in place and Kagome continues to monitor the situation.
• The US trade balance for sauces and ketchups has seen a decline in exported quantities and value.
• In Canada, a recent debate developed over the identity of Heinz Ketchup. Raft Heinz clarified that American products on the Canadian market was a response to an unforeseen increase in local demand that could not be met by the Canadian plant.
• Prices of Canned Tomatoes, February 2025: Italy, Spain, USA, Greece, Portugal.
• In Spain, an agreement was reached on the price of processing tomato for the 2025 season.
• Confagricoltura and Unione Italiana Food launched a new project to bring together supply and demand and create added value and greater efficiency for the entire production chain.
• Turkey continues its growth in exports of tomato pastes, canned goods and sauces and ketchups, with spectacular gains in the last two categories.
• Kraft Heinz and Conesa have implemented innovative techniques and focus on sustainable farming practices.
• In Italy, the Monitora project developed a web-based decision support system used for irrigation and protection of tomato and other crops.
• Global Imports of Tomato Products, updated 28 February 2025.

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