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Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has approved a Queensland University of Technology (QUT) application to permit food derived from a banana line genetically engineered (GE) for resistance to Panama disease.

Following nearly exponential growth in the last decade, Peru's blueberry export volume fell in 2023 as a result of warmer weather conditions, especially in the principal production areas of northern Peru, which severely limited flowering between March and October.

Australia is a crucial market for U.S. fresh fruits because of the year-round demand for high-quality products. The U.S. has benefitted from a well-established reputation for producing quality and safe fruits.

FAS Lima forecasts Peruvian mandarin/tangerine production at 545,000 metric tons (MT) for marketing year (MY) 2023/24 (March 2024 to February 2025), a decrease of one percent compared to the previous year.

Early seasonal conditions for the MY 2023/24 citrus crop have been favorable, and producers expect to benefit from an easing of fertilizer and crop protection chemical costs, along with a further easing of labor constraints. Orange production is expected to increase five percent to 530,000 metric tons (MT) from the prior’s year estimate, the second highest over the last two decades.

Grape production in Peru is forecast to reach 775,500 metric tons (MT) in marketing year (MY) 2023/2024 (October-September), an increase of one percent compared to the previous year.

Australia’s table grape production is expected to increase to a record 220,000 MT in marketing year (MY) 2023/24 from an estimated 210,000 metric tons (MT) in MY 2022/23.

Stone fruit production in Australia is forecast to increase in marketing year (MY) 2023/24, following two successive seasons affected by unseasonably wet weather, labor shortages at harvest, logistics challenges, and very high costs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

FAS Lima forecasts Peruvian mandarin/tangerine production at 550,000 metric tons (MT), with exports expected to reach 222,000 MT for marketing year (MY) 2022/23 (March 2023 to February 2024).

Australia’s table grape sector has made great strides during the last 10 years, raising production by more than a third and exports by 50 percent. Despite 2 years of declining production and exports due to COVID-19 constraints, investments in vineyards prior to and during the pandemic have set the industry on a path to continue its upward trend.

With ideal conditions for high productivity and a nearly year-round harvest, Peru's blueberry production continues to rise. FAS Lima forecasts Peruvian blueberry production for marketing year (MY) 2022 (March-April) to reach a record 280,000 metric tons (MT), with exports expected to reach 270,000 MT. In the last ten years, Peru has built a blueberry industry from 80 hectares in 2012 to about 17,500 hectares currently in production.

FAS Lima forecasts Peruvian mandarin/tangerine production at 550,000 metric tons (MT), with exports expected to reach 200,000 MT for marketing year (MY) 2022/23 (March 2023 to February 2024). Lower profitability driven by labor cost increases, fertilizer scarcity, erratic weather, increased transportation costs, and container shortages will negatively impact production and exports.