Innovative greenhouse pioneer Paul Mastronardi was recently recognized by the Ontario Produce Marketing Association with a lifetime achievement award. “This award is an incredible honour for me and my family,” said Mastronardi. “I was born into this industry and had the great fortune of learning from the legacy of three generations before me. I feel […] Read more
Tag Archives tomato
Greenhouse innovator Mastronardi recognized for industry contributions
The Kingsville producer introduced the world’s first branded tomato
Russia to ban some imports of seeds from Canada, Europe
Canada's Prograin soybean seed on list
Moscow | Reuters — Russia will ban imports of some seeds from several locations in Europe and Canada from Aug. 15, its agriculture safety watchdog said on Thursday, citing non-compliance by suppliers with phytosanitary requirements as the reason. Imports of tomato and carrot seeds will be banned from a nursery of Satimex Quedlinburg, in Germany, […] Read more
McCormick brings French’s ketchup processing in-house
Club House spice maker expands London, Ont. plant
The firm behind the French’s ketchup brand is bringing its bottling of the product to its own plant in southwestern Ontario. McCormick Canada, the Canadian arm of Baltimore-area condiment and spice maker McCormick and Co., on Monday announced it had completed a “multi-million dollar expansion” at its London, Ont. plant to blend, bottle and package […] Read more
Kraft Heinz backed for ketchup production in Montreal
Company to add ketchup line at Mont Royal site
A $23.3 million expansion of Kraft Heinz’s food manufacturing complex in Montreal will see the company resume making Heinz ketchup for Canada, in Canada. The U.S.-based food processing giant and the Quebec government on Nov. 17 announced the expansion plan for the company’s Mont Royal plant, which today makes products such as KD Mac + […] Read more
Editorial: Convoluted solution is no solution
Tomato growers and processors need a clear solution to the marketing purgatory into which they’ve been plunged over the past couple of years. However, the province’s recent proposals fail to provide the needed stability. I’ve written numerous similar pieces over the past couple of years as the province tries to break the collective bargaining power […] Read more
Direct negotiations coming to processing tomatoes and carrots
Growers can also vote to negotiate as a group by secret ballot with individual processors
Ontario is opening up the processing tomato and carrot market to direct negotiations with processors, but is also leaving open the possibility of collective negotiation with individual processors. Ernie Hardeman, Ontario’s minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs released a letter Dec. 11 informing growers of the decision. Why it matters: The decision will reduce […] Read more
Made-for-Ontario tomatoes get Dutch distribution partner
Vineland Research and Innovation Centre (Vineland’s) tomatoes designed for Ontario conditions now have a distribution partner. Vineland has partnered with Eminent Seeds to produce and distribute the seeds for the first three varieties of greenhouse-grown tomatoes-on-the-vine (TOVs) developed by the research and innovation centre with input from both consumers and growers. The Netherlands-based company, chosen […] Read more
EU set to halt imports of Canadian cherries, other fruits
Ottawa | Reuters — The European Union will halt imports of Canadian cherries and other fresh fruits starting Sept. 1 as it enforces new import requirements related to pests, according to a Canadian government document sent to industry on Thursday. In the notice, which was seen by Reuters, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency said the […] Read more
Mexico and U.S. reach deal to end tomato tariff spat
Mexico City | Reuters — Mexican tomato producers have reached a deal with the U.S. government to avoid an anti-dumping investigation, Mexican Economy Minister Graciela Marquez said on Wednesday, ending a testy tariff dispute that had rumbled on for months. Under the deal, the vast majority of Mexican tomato exports will be subject to border […] Read more
Greenhouse biosecurity will be key to keeping tomato pest out of Canada
Horticulture experts say biosecurity and vigilance can help keep tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus out of the country
Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV) continues to be found in more countries, but luckily Canada is not yet among them. Within the first few months of 2019, it transferred to Germany, Mexico and Italy. It has also been previously found in California, and the first outbreaks were found in Israel in 2014 and Jordan […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
