Top 5 - Organic News to Help You Grow #353

1. A Look at What Lies Ahead for Organics in 2024

As 2024 kicks off, what sorts of challenges and developments will organic growers and shippers see this year? Not surprisingly, economics is one of the first topics to come to mind. “The biggest challenge is going to be deflation and it’s what we’re starting to see,” says Drew Knobel, director of sales and purchasing for Earl's Organic Produce. Read More

2. IFPA Promotes Sustainability Leader to VP

International Fresh Produce Association announced that Tamara Muruetagoiena is promoted to become IFPA’s first-ever Vice President of Sustainability. Muruetagoiena joined the organization in April 2022 and established the critical importance of the produce and floral industry taking the lead in sustainability efforts of the entire fresh and food systems. Read More

3. Organic Supply from Developing and Emerging Countries Is Growing

Avocados, mangoes, limes, physalis, granadillas and much more—there is a broad range of exotic fruits in organic quality at the booth of the Import Promotion Desk (IPD) at Fruit Logistica 2024. “Organic is a key criterion that many producers from developing and emerging countries use to distinguish”, says Dr Julia Bellinghausen, head of IPD. Read More

4. Without Measurable Metrics, ‘Regenerative Agriculture’ is Often Little More Than a Data-Less Claim

In a previous column for Science for Sustainable Agriculture, an independent nonprofit dedicated to bringing cutting edge technology to sustainable farming, I highlighted concerns that the Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI), a coalition of 12 of the world’s largest agri-food companies and organizations, was using the term 'regenerative agriculture' as a form of greenwashing. With no specific commitments to action and vague statements about moving towards a common set of area-based outcome metrics, it appeared the SMI coalition was simply embracing the concept of regenerative agriculture without actually specifying what is meant by it or committing to meaningful outcomes. Read More

5. Stemilt Growers Positioned for Continued Company Growth in 2024

Stemilt Growers, leading packer, grower, and distributor of tree fruits, including apples and pears, celebrates the close of another incredible year in its multigenerational history. At the forefront of the industry, Stemilt exhibited excellence in all areas throughout 2023, from harvest to operations, marketing and beyond. Read More