Blueberry Demand Surging Due to ‘Superfood’ Status
It’s an antioxidant, a superfood, and now, blueberries are the top choice among berry
consumers. A study by the California-based US Highbush Blueberry Council shows blueberry
consumption in the US on a per capita basis grew 600 per cent between 1994 and 2014.
Dollar sales of blueberries across grocery stores (including fresh and dried blueberries) hit
$1.3 billion in the latest 52 weeks (ending Dec. 29, 2018), according to the latest
data from New York-based Nielsen on total US food stores. Fresh
blueberry dollar sales are up 8.8 per cent and unit sales are up
2.8 per cent from the previous year, says Sarah Schmansky,
vice-president of Nielsen’s growth and strategy fresh/
health and wellness team. It also should be noted fresh
blueberry dollar sales have increased each year since
January 2016. While they’re not the easiest berry to grow,
blueberries can successfully be cultivated hydroponically.
— freshplaza.com
New Tests Show Most Kale Samples Contain Pesticides
While Kale is one of the healthiest foods, tests done by the USDA (the first
on kale since 2009) show that more than 92 per cent of conventionally
grown samples contained residues from two or more pesticides.
Some had traces from 18 different chemicals. Kale made the “Dirty
Dozen” list (at No. 3) published by the Environmental Working
Group’s “2019 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce.”
Nearly 60 per cent of kale samples tested positive for
DCPA, or Dacthal, a herbicide used to control grasses and
broadleaf weeds, the EWG noted. The group says the US
Environmental Protection Agency has classified DCPA
as a possible human carcinogen. The European Union
has banned its use on crops since 2009. Strawberries
continued as the worst for pesticides, followed by
spinach. Test data from the USDA showed almost
70 per cent of produce sold in America contains
pesticide residues, according to its analysis.
— fooddive.com
Agriculture Ministers to Promote Field Digitalization
In order to help ensure continued global food supply, the ministers
of agriculture from 74 nations pledged to promote digitalization of
the field as part of a common strategy for sustainable agricultural
development. Given the world’s population has doubled in the
past 50 years, using technology in the field should contribute to
increased agricultural production, particularly in rural areas where
more efficient development is required to help boost production. The
ministers were in Berlin for the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture
(GFFA). “The Government of Spain is fully aware of the importance of
promoting digitalization in the rural world, advancing competitiveness
and sustainability, as well as overcoming the digital divide between
rural and urban areas,” says Spain's Minister of Agriculture Luis Planas.
The goal is for broadband internet to reach 90 per cent of the
population in the next two years, particularly in rural areas.
— freshplaza.com
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