I am pleased to announce that Sinclair Systems International LLC has joined the International Federation for Produce Standards (IFPS) as an associate member and will be represented by Kelly Kirschner, Vice President of Global Marketing. Sinclair pioneered the development of automatic fruit labeling systems over 25 years ago, and now operates in 35 countries worldwide. Sinclair is wholly dedicated to the global fresh produce sector.

I am pleased to announce that IFPS will be a lead sponsor of a new fresh produce technology conference SMART Horticulture Asia. This one-day conference will take place during ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA on September 08, 2016 in Hong Kong. SMART Horticulture Asia will be the first conference for Information Management, Standards & Technology for Asia's fresh fruit and vegetable sector. The congress is designed as an annual knowledge and networking hub in Asia on digitalisation and standardisation in the fresh fruit and vegetable sector. 

In Mexico, the industry led initiative to implement PLU Codes labeling for fresh fruit and vegetables continues to proceed well with cooperation among retailers, suppliers, ANTAD, GS1 Mexico, PMA and IFPS. Walmart Mexico, Chedraui, Calimax and HEB Mexico are in the final stages of their implementation with retailers including Merco, Arteli, Centro Comercial Cruz Azul, La Comer, Soriana and Alsuper in the early stages of their implementation. The participation from across the entire Mexican fresh produce supply chain continues to grow with over 40 Mexican industry leaders attending the last steering committee meeting for the initiative in Guadalajara on March 17^th 2016.

And finally, IFPS has received its first application from a French grower/shipper for a new PLU as some French retailers are using the IFPS PLU codes in their stores. IFPS is working with GS1 France to gain an understanding of how many retailers are using the IFPS PLU codes in their stores.