Leadership Transition: Capespan CEO and CFO Step Down Amid Organizational Evolution
South Africa‑based fruit giant Capespan announced that CEO Charl du Bois will step down immediately, handing the role to Commercial Director André de Klerk. The board also confirmed CFO Jolanda van Heerden’s departure, with finance duties shifting to the Fruit and Farms division heads. Bernie Denton, long‑time farming division leader, was appointed COO and board member to ensure operational continuity. The changes are framed as part of a broader organizational evolution aimed at sustaining growth.
Chile Promotes Research to Improve the Quality of Hass Avocados and Reduce Black Spots
Chile’s leading avocado producers are funding a four‑year research program to curb black‑spot disorder in Hass fruit, a cosmetic defect that currently forces the rejection of 10‑20% of exported shipments. The project, led by Prof. Romina Pedreschi at PUCV, focuses on...
Cherry Central Cooperative Selects Helena Beckett as President and CEO
Cherry Central Cooperative announced Helena Beckett as its new President and CEO, effective April 13, 2026. Beckett arrives with more than two decades of experience in fresh‑produce and retail, most recently as Director of Retail Sales at BrightFresh Microgreens where she accelerated...
India Unlocks Market Access to Canada for Fresh Mangoes, Pomegranates, Oranges, and Garlic
India’s Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has released a phytosanitary protocol that unlocks Canadian market access for fresh mangoes, pomegranates, oranges and garlic. The Canadian National Plant Protection Organization approved the access in January, but shipments...
Fall Creek Introduces Apex, a New Blueberry Variety Coming to Disrupt the Early- to Mid-Season
Fall Creek Farm and Nursery has launched Apex (FCM14‑057), a new early‑ to mid‑season blueberry variety added to its Fall Creek Collection platform. After three years of open‑licensing trials, Apex delivers over 20 metric tons per hectare, up to 45 days of...
Agronometrics in Charts: Strait of Hormuz Disruption Sends Fertilizer Prices Skyrocketing 30 Percent
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has halted roughly half of global urea exports, driving fertilizer prices up about 30 percent in just weeks. The disruption also curtails sulfur shipments, tightening supplies for phosphate fertilizers and compounding the shortage....
New Chilean Cherry Aims to Sweeten Early-Season Window
Chile’s newest cherry cultivar, Cheery Glow, is being rolled out by Nueva Vid and Bloom Fresh to extend the early‑season supply window. The bi‑color fruit matures 5‑10 days before the benchmark Santina, needs only about 450 chill hours, and delivers firm, 20‑22 Brix...
ONE Applies Fuel Surcharge for Land Transportation in Latin America
Ocean Network Express (ONE) announced a new inland fuel surcharge for land transportation across Latin America, citing fuel supply disruptions linked to Middle East instability. The charge, which varies by country and cargo type, ranges from $10 per container in...
West Pak Avocado’s Roadmap to Retailer Success for California Season
West Pak Avocado announced its 2026 California season roadmap, highlighting a projected 330 million‑pound harvest—the third consecutive year above 300 million pounds. The company is promoting its California Gold and GEM bag programs, along with a Farm‑to‑Table PLU initiative, to help retailers...
