Reader’s Digest – March 2023

In March 2023, we published the following articles:

• During the 2022 edition of the ALL4PACK Emballage Paris Trade show, Goglio won the Innovation Trophy in the "Design and Ergonomics" category.
• Global Exports of Tomato Paste, updated March 2, 2023.
• Researchers from Univer Product Plc.a Plant Protection Institute identified a new type of resistance breaking strain of tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) in Hungary.
• Kraft Heinz reported a 10% rise in net sales, mainly from hikes in pricing. The company warns that there will be more price hikes in 2023 to combat higher costs.
• Japanese imports of tomato products are on the rise and have reached high levels.
• The Ukrainian company Agrofusion succeeds in the face of wartime challenges.  Thanks to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), the company was able to purchase mobile homes to host their employees working at the greenhouses and factories.
• Andrea Colombo was appointed as new Sales Director of Conserve Italia, replacing Pier Franco Casadio, who is leaving after more than 30 years of career with the company.
• In Italy, no agreement has been reached yet in the South Central region.
• Prices of Canned Tomatoes, March 2023: Italy, Spain, USA, Greece, Portugal.
• In California, the current snowpack will allow for a strong year for water storage. However, long-term challenges still need to be addressed.
• The EU reached a provisional agreement on the implementation of the EU Carbon Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). This new mechanism will begin in transitional form in 2023. Tomato products are not included in the list of items affected by this scheme so far.
• In Italy, the organic production has taken off in the recent years, due to an increase in market demand and a reduced conversion period.  Growers stay cautious, as it seems that we could now enter a period of slower growth.
• Mintec Commodity Price Movements February 2023 Report.
• The organizers of Cibus Tec developed a new, online and permanent platform dedicated to the best technologies for food and beverage industry, named My Business Cibus Tec.
• Tomato Paste Prices, March 2023: USA, Spain, Portugal, Italy, China, Chile.
• Anicav organized a webinar "Results of the factual survey on organic tomatoes for processing in 2022 in Italy" during which organic processing tomato figures were presented.
• Negotiations have resumed in the Northern Italy Basin. In spite of the commitment from the industrial side to recognize a 20% increase, no agreement has been reached so far.
• Tomato Bites by Morning Star, March 2023 release.
• Turkey saw a huge increase in tomato product exports in 2022, with a doubling of revenue compared to last year.
• The Agricultural Table for Industrial Tomatoes in Northern Italy is hoping that the industrial side will consider the demands of the producers and recognize what is happening at an international level.
• Kraft Heinz are expanding their capacity in US pouch manufacturing and in Dip & Squeeze, in order to support foodservice growth.
• Global Imports of Tomato Products, updated March 23 2023.
• Casalasco is the first European company to launch food products in the sustainable packaging material Signature Full Barrier from SIG.
• Red Gold recently opened a new 250,000-square-foot warehouse, connecting their processing plant and the existing Alexandria Distribution Center.
• In Cameroon, Delifood Agroindustries Sarl is investing CFA 4 billion to build a tomato processing plant in Douala, with the aim to produce 5,400 tonnes of canned tomatoes and create 150 jobs.
• In Italy, a nationwide project was carried out by Italia Ortofrutta – National Union. Its aim is to serve as a decision-making tool and to help POs choose the most efficient hybrids.
• Global Exports of Tomato Paste, updated March 30 2023.
• The 2023 season has a high risk of being critical for water resources. In Europe, we are already facing dry conditions and although California's wet winter has eased the drought, water issues remain.
• Report on US inventories of tomato products as of March 1, 2023. 

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