AUSTRALIA: Central Queensland fruit pickers under the pump as mango and lychee harvests overlap

Hot weather and some rainfall has brought on a Central Queensland tropical fruit farmer's mango harvest earlier than expected, which wouldn't be a problem if they weren't still picking lychees.

BANGLADESH: Govt to aid entrepreneurs to grind out jackfruit chips

The government has initiated a move to engage private sector in processing chips from jackfruit to add value to the national fruit, officials said.

SAUDI ARABIA: Sandstorms destroy 40% of Eastern Province crops

Farmers in the Eastern Province say they have lost 40 percent of their crops because of the sandstorms, with fears that the cold snaps would cause further losses.

PHILIPPINES: Zambales province seeks USD 4.45M grant to develop mango industry

The Zambales provincial government is seeking a P200-million grant from the Department of Agriculture (DA) for the development of the local mango industry and the promotion of the popular Zambales sweet mango as a world-class product

INDIA: Mango trees could be destroyed in favor of pears

Indian mango orchards close to the Pakistani border could be destroyed to make way for pear cultivation.

AUSTRALIA: Dragon fruit season fires up in the Northern Territory

Harvest has started for dragon fruit growers in the Northern Territory, in what is shaping up to be a strong season.

INDIA: Banana crop under pest attack

A widespread attack of the ‘banana skipper' pest at plantations across Bengaluru has put growers in distress.

PHILIPPINES: Local mangoes declared pest-free

The government on Friday declared Philippine mangoes free from mango seed weevil, a development that can open more export markets for the country's top fruit commodity.

AUSTRALIA: Mango and lychee farmers given green light to export to US

Trial batches of Sunshine Coast mangoes and lychees are set to be sent to the USA, helping growers to open up a big new market and potentially give them a higher return for their produce.

INDIA: EU agrees to lift import ban on Alphonso mangoes

The European Union (EU) has agreed to lift the ban on import of Alphonso mangoes from India before the start of next season, but the ban on import of four other vegetables from the country may stay for longer.

INDIA: For guava lovers, the bigger the better

Larger varieties, having less sugar content than smaller ones, have become favourites for consumers, say horticulture experts. Even though the taste differs, the new varieties are chosen because they have low sugar content.

AUSTRALIA: Northern Territory buries watermelon virus

An Israeli plant pathologist who has been flown in to assist the Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries combat cucumber green mottle mosaic virus says Northern Territory watermelon growers are in a “good situation” to win the war that has crippled the $60 million industry.

FIJI: Switching to pineapple farming proves to be a sweet venture

Pineapple farming has proven to be a viable venture for Macuata farmer Mohammed Janif.

INDIA: Mango exports may jump up to 50 percent next fiscal year

India's mango exports are expected to rise by 40-50 percent next fiscal year following lifting of ban on import by the European Union, Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh said.

AUSTRALIA: Northern Territory rambutan harvest off to a late but juicy start

It's been a long wait for rambutan fans, but the harvest has finally started in the Northern Territory.

MYANMAR: Fruit prices falling in Muse

The prices of fruits sold at the fruit market in 105th mile Trade Zone in Muse are decreasing because of poor quality, according an official at the trade zone.

THAILAND: Pomelo farming in Nakhon Si Thammarat suffers from floods

Local media reported that continuous rainfalls in the province have led to persistent inundation, causing damage to a large area of farmland and diminishing agricultural produce, particularly that of the famous Tubtim Siam pomelo.

EU: Colombian fruit imports bump in 2014

Tariff preferences and a focus on exotic crops led to a significant jump in Colombian fruit shipments to the European Union between January and October last year, according to the country's export promotion agency.

MEXICO: Acid rain damages mango crops

As a result of acid rain fallen in late December in the Mexican state of Guerrero, 30% of the region's mango production, the country's largest producer, was damaged and will have to be sold in local markets.

PERU: Kingston limbers up for Peruvian mango deal

Lighter mango supplies from South America are creating strong demand in the US, according to Idaho Falls-based produce marketer Kingston Fresh.

PAKISTAN: Mango exports were at USD 48.6M in 2014

Pakistan has earned Rs 4.9 billion (USD 48.6 million) from the export of mangoes to different regions of the world in 2014.