Zespri's first charter shipment of the 2025 New Zealand kiwifruit season has set sail from Tauranga bound for Shanghai. The vessel Kowhai—named by Zespri in 2020—was carrying 1.2 million trays, or around 5,400 tonnes, of Zespri SunGold Kiwifruit and 16 containers of Zespri RubyRed Kiwifruit for customers in China. The Kowhai was due to reach Shanghai at the end of March. Zespri's second charter of the season - the Oriental Iris - also departed last week, bound for Tokyo as the season gets into full swing.

Companies such as PepsiCo, Conagra, and J.M. Smucker have requested tariff exemptions on imported ingredients essential to the food industry, including cocoa, coffee, spices, and tropical fruits. The Consumer Brands Association made this request in a letter. The letter argues that these ingredients are not available in the US, and exempting them from tariffs would help protect domestic manufacturers while preventing increases in consumer costs.

In week 12, the selling prices of bananas in St. Petersburg ranged from USD 27.20 per box CIF to USD 29.55-30.75 per box CIF, depending on the brand, volume, and packaging. Approximately 2.0 million boxes were discharged, and around 1.835 million boxes are expected to be delivered in week 13. The Exchange rate was 84.40 RUB to 1 USD. Prices for bananas in the Mediterranean region varied based on brand, volume, weight, packaging, and origin, ranging from USD 20.00 to USD 23.00 per box, CIF. In Libya, however, prices were higher, with Ecuadorian bananas selling for approximately USD 25.00 to USD 27.00 per box CIF. In contrast, Central American bananas were priced at USD 23.00 to USD 24.00 per box CIF. In Algeria, prices remained higher at USD 30.00 per box CIF or more. The government sanctioned 53 local fruit companies for artificially manipulating prices -according to local media-to raise them during Ramadan. Nonetheless, local traders pointed to a ban on imports of Ecuadorian bananas due to high prices in the domestic market.

Shipping analysts warn that the United States' proposed port docking fees on Chinese ships could negatively impact its economy and disrupt shipping capacity between the two countries. In late February, the US trade Representative suggested fees of up to $1.5 million for Chinese-operated vessels, prompting China to call for an immediate halt to this action. Authorities argue that such fees will raise global shipping costs and exacerbate inflation in the US, with additional expenses likely being passed on to consumers.

Using alternative fuels to fossil-derived products across a wide range of logistics applications continues to increase as companies move toward more environmentally friendly operations with zero or low emissions—electricity, hydrogen, compressed natural gas (biomethane), or methanol. Now that many retailers have rigorous sustainability policies, they will seek out and favour 'green' partner companies over their less sustainable competitors.

Competition from Latin American and African bananas makes it challenging for many farmers in the Canary Islands to sell their products. This leads to a practice known as "pica," which refers to removing surplus bananas. Although destroying bananas is now illegal, Sergio Cáceres of the Association of Canary Islands Banana Producers' Organisations (ASPROCAN) says the term persists. Instead of "destruction," ASPROCAN prefers "non-using," which involves directing unusable bananas to charities, food banks, and livestock feed. While "pica" is EU-approved to manage overproduction, it remains controversial.

Experts from Russian plant and animal health watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor will audit Ecuador's banana certification system in April, the agency said. "This step is aimed at ensuring compliance with international and Russian phytosanitary requirements, as well as improving the quality of exported products," the watchdog said after talks between representatives of Rosselkhoznadzor and the Ecuadoran Agriculture Ministry's agricultural produce quality control agency Agrocalidad. Ecuador accounts for 16% of Russian imports of products subject to quarantine, the agency reported Rosselkhoznadzor deputy head Yulia Shabauskene, as stated at the talks

The price of bananas in Algeria has reached record highs during this holy month of Ramadan. The reason behind this surge is a combination of speculation and the ongoing Sahrawi issue. Each Ramadan, there tends to be a story about shortages or alarming price hikes. This year is no different, as the price of bananas has increased dramatically, a fruit that was once affordable for consumers.

Shanghai International Port (Group) Co Ltd said that the Gemini Cooperation officially launched its operation at the port on February 10 with the lifting of the first container. According to Hapag-Lloyd's official website, the Gemini Cooperation, a benchmark collaboration between Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd, was announced last year to start operating in February.

According to DHL Global Forwarding's latest Ocean Reefer Market Update, demand for fresh produce, pharmaceuticals, and frozen goods is driving the market despite regional slowdowns and disruptions from diversions around the Cape of Good Hope. Ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Red Sea region make operations more complex than usual. This leads to disruptions in shipping between Asia and Europe, which adds costs and delays. Storms and droughts have also affected crop yields and export timelines for perishable goods.

In week 07, banana prices in St Petersburg were around USD 24.90 per box CIF, with peaks up to USD 26.00 per box CIF, boosted by good demand. Nearly 1.720 million boxes were discharged, and around 1.920 million are expected for week 08. The exchange rate was 1 USD=91.03 RUB. Ecuadorian bananas in the Mediterranean commanded prices between USD 18.00 and USD 20.00 per box CIF, varying based on brand, volume, region, and packaging. In Libya, these bananas were sold at a price of around USD 17.00 per box CIF. Central American bananas, on the other hand, were priced lower at approximately USD 16.00 per box CIF. The situation in Algeria is starkly different, where prices have soared to USD 26.00 per box CIF due to significantly reduced import volumes caused by the ban on Ecuadorian bananas. The prices for re-exported Ecuadorian bananas in the Mersin Free Zone ranged from USD 19.00 to USD 21.00 per box, depending on the brand, weight, packaging, and volume. These prices have increased compared to the previous week, mainly due to lower banana availability and rising demand, particularly from Syria and the Turkish domestic market. In contrast, Central American bananas cost around USD 16.00 per box. The exchange rate was 1 USD=36.20 TL.

Colombia's fresh fruit exports have excellent growth potential but face challenges related to logistics, sanitary regulations, and access to international markets. Strengthening product quality and diversifying export destinations are essential to boosting the sector. According to Valora Analitik, Colombia has made progress in opening markets for products such as Hass avocados, bananas, and mangoes, but barriers still limit its competitiveness. The main challenges include high logistical costs, lack of infrastructure, and the phytosanitary requirements of some importing countries.

At the Fruit Logistica fair in Germany, Asbama, representing banana growers in Magdalena, Cesar, and La Guajira, reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable sector development. Asbama's executive president, José Francisco Zúñiga, met with Colombia's ambassador to Germany, Yadir Salazar, to discuss key issues such as safety, logistics, pricing, and sustainability.

Givaudan has partnered with Dole Asia to produce Green Banana Powder, a natural texturizing ingredient from upcycled bananas. This ingredient, created by Dole Specialty Ingredients (DSI), enhances Givaudan's Sense Texture range of clean-label emulsifiers and texturizers. Green Banana Powder offers natural texture, viscosity, and water/oil-holding properties, substituting modified starches, gums, and pectin in soups, sauces, baked goods, and snacks. It also adds fibre and nutritional value.

At this year's Fruit Logistica trade fair in Berlin, Fyffes focused on its credo of sustainable growth, growing the category together with the retail partners, growing the product range with innovative, consumer-tested concepts, and strengthening partnerships with communities and suppliers. With a strong commitment to sustainability, Fyffes continues to enable more people to access healthy foods while working closely with partners to reduce food waste.