Last year, EastFruit reported that the Ukrainian company FruiTech produced and exported the first batch of blueberry nursery plants for a client from Italy.

According to Oleg Bosyy, managing partner of the company, FruiTech LLC offered European quality seedlings at a competitive price. As a result, a truckload of blueberry nursery plants of the Reka and Bluegold varieties was sent to Italy.

In the difficult conditions of Russian military aggression, disruption of production and supply chains, FruiTech continues to work this year, and even supplies its products to the EU countries.

As Sergiy Zmiichuk, co-owner of FruiTech LLC, said on his Facebook page, the company continues to export nursery plants even to the EU.

“We send blueberry nursery plants to sunny Italy. We make our small contribution to support the Ukrainian economy. We will grow new nursery plants for our Ukrainian producers and after the war we will ship them for autumn planting,” Sergiy writes.

Besides, FruiTech offers two-year-old nursery plants of the following varieties, which can now be bought at a very favorable price:

2.000 Bluegold C1.5

13.000 Bluegold C2

3.000 Bluecrop C2

6.000 Nelson C1.5

20.000 Nelson C2

5.000 Elliott C2

For more information please contact:

tel./fax: +38 043 260 30 80

mobile: +38 067 260 30 80
+38 099 260 30 80

e-mail:   office@ft.ua

Сообщение FruitTech Ukraine – Good prices for top quality nursery plants of blueberries for the EU buyers (photo) появились сначала на EastFruit.

More than 1 020 000 seedlings of fruit and ornamental trees, various shrubs, seedlings, flowers were presented to consumers by the participants of the fair – the sale of seedlings in Khujand (Sughd region, Republic of Tajikistan).

This fair has long become traditional, being held twice annually, in late winter – early spring and autumn, according to the EastFruit Tajik team. The fair was attended by cooperatives, seed producers, farm enterprises, specialized institutes of horticulture, viticulture and soil science, banking, consulting, international and public organizations aimed at developing the agricultural sector of the Tajik economy from all 18 cities and districts of the Sughd region.

Sanginboy Sanginov, head of the Ovchi-Gonchi seed-growing cooperative, came to the fair from the Devashtich mountain region.

“Our farm specializes in the production of seed potatoes,” says S. Sanginov. “322 ha of land have been allocated for seed potatoes in our farm, and more than 40 tonnes were harvested from each hectare last year. Currently, the cooperative has more than 150 000 tonnes of seed potatoes of the varieties Aladdin, Picasso, Shukrona, Nurinisso, Kondur, Krasnaya Fantasy and the recently popular Azizi variety. The yield of this variety in our conditions reaches up to 50 tonnes per ha.

Our district is the largest potato-growing region in the republic. Farms from all regions of Tajikistan, where this most important agricultural product is produced, purchase seed material from us.”

Another agricultural region – Matchinsky – is located in the other northern part of the region and, in addition to cotton production, specializes in growing melons and peanuts. The first enterprise for processing, packaging and exporting this product in the republic will come into operation this year there.

“Last year, 2 500 ha were allotted for melons in the region,” says Narzullo Boymatov, head of the Department of Agriculture of the Matchinsky region, Narzullo Boymatov. From these areas, our farmers harvested more than 87 000 tonnes of watermelons, melons, pumpkins, a large part of which was exported. This year, it is planned to allocate 2 600 ha for melons and gourds in the region and get a record 100 000 tonnes.”

Greenhouse facilities are also developing in the region. Currently, tomatoes, cucumbers, and lemons are successfully grown in 128 greenhouses of various types in Matcha.

“At this fair, we present not only fruits produced in our region, but also purchase various seedlings,” continues N. Boimatov. “We are planning to set up a new intensive orchard in the district this spring on an area of ​​5 hectares, and over the next 5 years on 50 hectares.”

Сообщение Tajikistan is getting ready for spring: a large fair of seedlings in Khujand (photo) появились сначала на EastFruit.

The “Taifi” grape variety is being harvested on rainfed lands in the Tursunzade region (Tajikistan). According to Bakhtiyor Abduvokhidov, a consultant to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), such rainfed vineyards are planted in hilly and mountainous areas. Plantings of this type are common in such regions as Tursunzade, Gissar, Istaravshan, Penjikent. Grape yields vary depending on growing conditions, but in general households receive a good income.

The expert notes that table grapes are planted for sale on the domestic market. Grape growers store the “Taifi” variety until the New Year holidays in separate rooms with no.

Bakhtiyor Abduvohidov clarifies that a kilogram of grapes can now be bought at 3 TJS ($0.27) from farmers, and the price will rise to 12 TJS ($1.07) in winter.

You can see how grapes are grown and harvested in the photos Sobirchon Saidov shared on his Facebook page.

Сообщение Harvesting Taifi grapes in Tajikistan – photo report появились сначала на EastFruit.

President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon received the heads of the CSTO and SCO member states on the premises of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan.

On the premises, an exhibition of agricultural products and national dishes of Tajikistan was organized. Various agricultural products were displayed in a special style on each alley.

Dozens of types of Tajik fresh fruits were presented: grapes, stone fruits,  high-quality dried fruits, nuts and almonds, raisins, pistachios and citrus fruits.

The heads of state and other honorary guests got acquainted with the wide opportunities and resources of Tajikistan in the production of fruits, vegetables and dried fruits, as well as traditional dishes.

EastFruit invites you to admire a great presentation!

*Photo from the official website of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan

Сообщение Impressive and beautiful presentation of fruits in Tajikistan (photo) появились сначала на EastFruit.

In the beginning of July 2021 Super Almond with the support of the USAID Agriculture Programme has organized a weeklong training for Georgian almond growers. Dr. Gurreet Brar – Super Almond expert and a professor at the California State University, Fresno – has led the training and the field demonstrations in almond orchards in Eastern Georgia. Dr. Brar has shared his impressions and views on the developing Georgian nuts industry exclusively for EastFruit.

Dr Brar in the super-high density (SHD) almond orchard in Gardabani, Georgia

EF: Dr. Brar, being the first time to Georgia, what are your first impressions about the nuts sector here?

GB: Georgian nuts industry is in infant stage now. There are about 5000 ha of almond orchards, however, all established with the experimental approach, as decision on varieties and planting systems were made mostly relying on advice of inputs suppliers and experiences of other countries, which may have climate or soil conditions different from Georgia.

EF: what planting system would you recommend to Georgian growers – innovation of Spanish agronomists, high-density, or traditional?

GB: it depends on goals and conditions of each project, as there are lots of moving parts we must consider. Generally, increased density of trees per ha decreases time for a tree to fill its space and reach full production. As a result, high-density trees begin to produce and bring money earlier. However, increase of density requires higher initial investments per ha. Mechanization in pruning and off-the ground harvest are the biggest advantage of super-high density (SHD) system, as it helps to keep the quality and reduces risk of nuts contamination with aflatoxins. But since nuts are picked from trees, they will require additional drying. On the other hand, yield is a function of total canopy volume and light interception. Since total canopy volume in SHD system is lower than in open-center/traditional, open-center system has demonstrated better in-shell yields per tree. Currently, in the CSU Fresno we are making trials to define specifics of the SHD system, which we believe has a potential. Traditional system is still valid and equally good, as farmers who plan to have low cost, low inputs and keep small-scale operation will still benefit from it.

Training in Tbilisi

EF: what are the trends in almond varieties development currently?

GB: There is obviously a trend towards self-pollinated varieties. I would recommend Georgian growers to use late-flowering varieties to avoid spring frosts. Non-Parel is still the most popular cultivar in California, meaning in the whole almond industry, however, there are new high-producing breeds coming on the market. Some recent releases from private nurseries, from USDA and the UC breeding programs have been introduced. But they all are still early blooming in comparison with Mediterranean cultivars. There are a lot of different variety and rootstock selections that fit different processing and production needs. First, we need to focus on doing adaptive trials with various US and European varieties in Georgia. Then we will have a choice based on the intended processing and marketing need, for example whether you want to sell a hard-shell nut in-shell or sell for culinary uses etc. The choice of production system can then be based on the bearing habit and vigour of rootstock-variety combination.

Overall, when choosing the variety, you need to consider (a) blooming period to avoid wind and late frosts, (b) harvest period – to match mechanization needs and utilize market opportunities, (c) growth habit (d) soil borne issues to be considered when selecting the rootstock and (e) vigour – to efficiently use the space between trees and the rows. All these factors are important. For example, you cannot plant a vigorous variety with spreading growth habit in a super high-density design. For that reason we need a lot of data, Georgia-specific data on many cultivars and rootstocks under these climatic conditions. If we manage to generate data, we can bet on the success of the industry.

EF: what is your view on the Georgian almond sector development?

Growers must think through each step when planning investment, as it will last for the next 20-25 years. Decisions should be made based on knowledge and trials results, not emotions. To make the industry commercially oriented, it requires introducing key elements to it:

First, the industry should be built on the natural potential, which is stored in high-quality genetic material and rootstocks. Virus-free planting material should guarantee sustainable nuts production. New genetics introduction should be supported by adaptive trials by qualified professionals in the country. In the countries, where extension service has limited capacity, involving private sector through private-public partnership for testing new fruits varieties has demonstrated quick results. Super Almond is working to provide the US knowledge and experience in the nuts sector of Central Asia and Caucasus region.  We are also suppliers of quality genetic materials for propagation for nurseries. I believe this system will work well in Georgia in cooperation with the Scientific research center.

Georgian growers are thirsty for knowledge. If they have a possibility to use study materials of the University of California available online, there is gap of the applied practice, which we were trying to spot and fill in during this visit. Thus, I see the potential for cooperative extension system, which should be industry-funded. The system should be built on local advisors/agronomists, who will be close to growers, consulting them on daily basis, like a family doctor; and senior advisors– both local and international – who will provide guidance on very specific directions, like a cardiologist or a virologist. To make this system fully operational and show results from decisions made based on knowledge, 3-4 years of work are needed. The sooner we start, the better it will be for the industry. Currently, we seek support of donors for this exciting project, because all activities are not sustainable without extension system. As a scientist, I see great learning possibilities for the US students in Georgia, thus in the nearest future we will organize knowledge exchange activities for American students from the University Fresno to Georgia to support research as part of our extension program. During my visit I have met and interacted with a number of young, energetic agronomists who are passionate about getting knowledge and applying it, which is encouraging. We need to channelize that spirit and provide guidance.

The third pillar is of course, sales. Free trade agreements between Georgia and EU, China, Commonwealth of Independent States and Turkey would help. However, considering high competition on the market, processing infrastructure is absolutely crucial for delivering high-quality product. As in other nuts, aflatoxins are an issue in almonds and it ties back to good management practices. Therefore, we consider further capacity building within Super Almond programme.

In California water is a serious problem: both availability and quality. With the recent drought, many older almond orchards are being removed and those will likely not be replaced by almond orchards. Farmers are moving towards more drought and salt tolerant crops like pistachios. In my opinion, the bearing almond acreage in California will be reaching a plateau. With the increasing demand of various almond products worldwide, the almond industry is expanding to Europe, Australia and South America. We in California still contribute a huge share to world almond production and produce great quality kernels, but places like Georgia have great potential to produce to meet increasing demand.

Сообщение How can Georgia build a successful almond industry – US expert появились сначала на EastFruit.

Wise Nuts Ltd. is a Georgian small enterprise, which was established in 2017 and currently produces five types of butter from various nuts. Despite the pandemic last year was a successful year for the company, demand has increased in Georgia, and interest on export markets has emerged.

In 2020, the company’s sales increased by about 800%, largely due to the growth of online sales. According to the company’s co-founder Nino Andriadze, there were potential customers in the market who did not use online shops before and therefore did not have information on Wise Nut butters as company sells the product mainly through online shops, but the pandemic changed the behavior of these users in favor of online sales.

Interest on export markets also emerged last year. The company has not exported so far, although negotiations are underway in several countries. The Wise Nut already has its representative in Israel and is preparing to be able to export this year. To do this, the company plans to obtain ISO 22000 certification, as well as add a “Kosher” certificate, which will help with sales on the Israeli market. To strengthen its export capabilities, the company has increased its production capacity. Wise Nut can produce 10 tons of butter per month, which is enough to meet export demand.

The founders of the company from the very beginning were thinking to reach export markets, because they believe that the local market is small for such a niche product. The target group for Wise Nut Butters in Georgia are mainly young people who have travel or study experience abroad. In general, for Georgian consumers, butter made from different nuts is not a traditional product. The company has also selected product positioning and branding in a way their products to be attractive to both local and export markets. Words such as “smart” and “wise” were used to name the products, which evokes positive emotions in consumers. An English-language website was created to make information about the company available in foreign markets. In addition, they emphasize the health benefits of the product and note that their butters do not contain artificial additives. An important part of the concept is also a product made from local, Georgian nuts.

The company produces hazelnuts, peanuts, almonds, pecans, and pumpkin seed butter. According to Andriadze, only local products are used to make each product. Peanuts and almonds are produced in Kakheti region, hazelnuts in Samegrelo, pumpkin seeds in Imereti, and pecans in Guria. Andriadze notes that Georgian nuts are special in their taste, therefore, in the future, despite the increase in production, they plan to use only local products.

“To buy required quantity of local nuts at this stage is not a problem and I think we will not have this problem in the future either. Georgia is one of the largest producers of hazelnuts, almond production is growing every year, and pumpkin seeds are not in scarce. Peanuts are an annual crop and with the emergence of demand, farmers will easily switch to its production if needed. Georgian pistachios will appear on the market in a few years, which we are waiting to add another type of butter to our products, “said Andriadze.

Wise Nut tries to diversify the range and offer new tastes to customers. Pumpkin is a novelty this year and last year pecan was added to the assortment. According to Andriadze, Georgian consumers are quite conservative and it takes some time for them to notice and get used to new products.

“Hazelnuts can be used in many ways other than making “churchkhela” or serving them with honey, but unfortunately in Georgia, the production of higher value products obtained from hazelnut processing is less developed, even though Georgia is one of the largest producers of hazelnuts in the world. The same opportunities exist for other products like almond or pumpkin seeds, but this market is still unexploited in Georgia,” said Andriadze.

Сообщение “Nut processing is an unexploited niche in Georgia” – Co-founder of Wise Nut Ltd появились сначала на EastFruit.

We are closely following the development of the blueberry sector in Georgia, since 200-300 hectares are planted in the country every year and according to EastFruit experts, Georgia already arrived at 1 thousand hectares.

In 2020, Georgia harvested about 750 tons of blueberries, almost 90% of which were exported. According to Andriy Yarmak, economist at the Investment Centre of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), if Georgia manages to double its harvest this season, it will become one of the 25 largest blueberry exporters in the world.

The blooming began later than usual this season. This may delay harvest of blueberries, that ripen by the end of May – early June. Below are the biggest blueberry producers in Georgia and the approximate volumes of harvest they expect this season:

1. A large blueberry producer from Laituri, Ozurgeti region (Guria region, Western Georgia), FCO plans to export about 300 tons of blueberries, of which 180 tons will be its own harvest of Duke, Bluegold, Bluecrop, Toro, Spartan, Brigitta Blue,, Sunrise and Elizabeth varieties. The rest is collected from local farmers. The start of the harvesting is projected from 1^st to 10^th of June.
   
2. Blue valley, which unites four companies (Blue Valley LLC, Motsvi LLC, Kartuli Motsvi LLC and Dzheoberi LLC), expects to harvest 130 tons of blueberries from the fields in Ozurgeti (Guria) this season. The company is experimentingwith the production of ultra-early blueberries in tunnels, so the first blueberries in Georgia will be available in the first half of May
   
3. GeoFresh plans to harvest about 60-70 tons of blueberries from 7 hectares in the Samegrelo region (Western Georgia). Harvesting will begin in early June.
   
4. Vartsikhe plantations owns 6 hectares of blueberry plantations in Bagdat region (Imereti region, Western Georgia), where mainly the Chandler variety is grown. The company plans to harvest about 60 tons of export quality blueberries this year. The company also has equipment for rapid cooling, blast freezing and packaging of berries and fruit, operating in accordance with ISO 22000 (Agrolane LLC).
   
5. Khareba’s company will start harvesting blueberries in the Samegrelo region (Western Georgia) in early June. The company plans to harvest up to 50 tons.
   
6. Blue-berry will harvest about 45 tons this year from the fields in the Narudzha village, Ozurgeti region. The harvest dates are not known yet, but the producer predicts it will start on May 25, if the weather is favorable.
   
7. The Memoberry company from the Samegrelo region (Western Georgia) expects to harvest 35-40 tons from 9 hectares of early and mid-late blueberry plantations in the Samegrelo region (Georgia). The harvest is expected in June.
   
8. The company Mtsvane Mdelo, which started planting in Tskaltubo, Imeritinsky region (Western Georgia) in 2019, already expects to harvest 30-40 tons this season. The approximate start dates for the harvest are June 1-5.
   
9. Farmer Dilar Todua grows blueberries on 10 hectares in the Samegrelo region (Western Georgia). He expects to harvest 35 tons of berries this year.
   
10. 25-30 tons will be harvested by Agrotema cooperative, which unites 9 farmers in the Samegrelo region. In total, the area of Legacy blueberry stands is 23.5 hectares.
    
11. The new producer Blueberry farm will harvest the first 20 tons from the plantations in the Likhauri village in the Ozurgeti region. The harvest is also expected in early June.
    

Сообщение The blueberries are blooming in Georgia – a report from the largest producers появились сначала на EastFruit.

The EastFruit team pays great attention to appearance and merchandising during our retail audits of the fruit and vegetable departments of supermarket chains in Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Moldova, Georgia, and Tajikistan. A beautiful fruit and vegetable department with high-quality products attracts significantly more customers, improves their mood, stimulates their loyalty, and makes them come back to the supermarket more often.

Serdar Ceylan, Fruits and Vegetables Category Manager of the international supermarket chain Carrefour in Turkey, recently shared photos of the produce department in Istanbul on LinkedIn. We decided that this information is worthy of being published here as well. This is a prime example of a department to which you want to return as often as possible.

Below, we also offer photos from the produce department of the supermarket chain Whole Foods Market from the State of Washington in the United States. These photos were taken in 2016 by Andriy Yarmak, an economist at the Investment Center of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

Сообщение Beautiful fresh produce departments in supermarkets? It’s real! Examples from Turkey and the US (photos) появились сначала на EastFruit.

According to EastFruit Georgia is the largest exporter of mandins among the former Soviet Republics. Traditionally, before and during the New Years’ holiday, the consumption of Georgian mandarins increases dramatically.

EastFruit provides an inside look at how mandarins from Georgia travel from farm-to-table to reach consumers in time for the New Year.

1. Mandarins from small farmers are received by the warehouse facility through the help of procurers.

2. Upon receipt at the facility, mandarins are disinfected and sent for storage.

3. Mandarins are kept in refrigeration until an order arrives. They are usually stored for up to two months.

4. As soon as the order is received, the mandarins are calibrated into 5 sizes: 45×50, 50×54, 54×58, 58×63, and 63+.

5. To extend the shelf life and for better transport, mandarins are treated with paraffin.

6. Before packing, mandarins are sorted by hand.

7. Substandard mandarins are sent for processing to make mandarin concentrate, which is added to orange juice.

8. As a rule, mandarins are packed in plastic boxes, which are produced directly at the factory. However, at a buyer’s request, mandarins can be packed in cardboard boxes as well.

9. In Georgia, the leading variety of mandarins is called “Satsuma” (also known as “Unshiu”). It tastes very good and is easily peeled by hand, but its disadvantage includes a relatively short storage period.

10. Mandarins are then packed in 900kg pallets and ready for export. They are transported by road then ferry to Russia, Ukraine, and other CIS countries, which make up 99% of Georgia’s exports.

Сообщение Follow Georgian mandarins from farm-to-table (Photos) появились сначала на EastFruit.

The process of converting from grapes to raisins requires skill and patience. On the farms of Nurafshon in the Tashkent region of Uzbekistan, the process of drying grapes is in full swing. Photos below from the USAID project vlog show the whole process of turning grapes to raisins.

EastFruit also reported about the various methods of drying grapes in Tajikistan in their article “Dehkan farms of Tajikistan are mastering new methods of making raisins (photo, video).”

Сообщение From grapes to raisins – how grapes are dried in Uzbekistan (photos) появились сначала на EastFruit.