All articles by FPJ Staff – Page 117
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ArticleRunway or another
As the UK’s largest cargo-handling airport and a hub for produce coming into Europe, Heathrow has long been at the forefront of the perishables import business. But with concerns rising over the environment, costs and the site’s local impact, Alex Lawson visits some key produce players to see how they are coping through difficult times.
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ArticleAn Israeli summer basket
A feast of Israeli summer lines will hit the UK in volume from next week. This season, the major players are determined to make the most of their export window, overcome the exchange rate and maintain their long-standing relationships with the UK market. Anna Sbuttoni reports.
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ArticleSalad sector recuperates in the summer weather
At last, the salad sector is in fine spirits as decent summer weather has produced high-quality crops across the UK and Europe, and consumers are reaching for the salad bowl. Elizabeth O’Keefe reports.
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DAWS system pays off for Agroleaf Ltd
Information technology is playing an ever-increasing role in the arena of fresh produce. This month, we take a look at a weighing system implemented in a Yorkshire soft-fruit packhouse by the Stevens Group, plus further improvements to Fresh Direct’s transport service. Meanwhile, Asia Fruit Logistica is making the most of a new online tool.
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Fyffes ensuring we have bananas
Congratulations to Fyffes, which is celebrating the 80th birthday of its famous blue label brand next month. Not only do I
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Markets must keep upward momentum
The inaugural meeting of the Association of London Markets this week seems to have put a spring in the industry’s step,
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Are we fighting a losing battle?
The facts from our front page story this week really speak for themselves. With ignorance about fresh produce seemingly so
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Retailers set to make most of barbecue weather
It only seems to take a few days of hot, dry weather to get the barbecues smoking, so not surprisingly they are a major target
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ArticleIndustry bodies in positive frame of mind for future
Despite numerous reports of declining sales, organic players are valiantly defying the economic downturn, with trade associations working hard to secure the loyalty of existing customers and drum up new support. Laura Gould reports.
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Celebrating cider at Royal Bath and West Show
The Royal Bath and West Show, held each year during the last week of May, has become a firm commitment for the
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ArticleTurkish cherry comeback
Turkey produces a wide variety of fruit ranging from figs and pomegranates to oranges. However, it is cherries that have lifted the country’s fresh produce profile and, thanks to its sizeable production, Turkey is one of the largest cherry exporters in the world. Doris Lee Butterworth discovers that exporters are looking for growth in the UK market after last season’s disappointing volumes.
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ArticleThe Picota paradox
Picota cherries are back in the UK market, around 10 days earlier than normal due to a tremendous production period. Tommy Leighton visits Spain’s Valle del Jerte and finds that, despite high expectations for volume and quality, growers do not harbour such hopes for returns in 2009.
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ArticleSalad revolution
After decades of sitting in the Netherlands’ shadow, the UK salad industry has been given a much-needed injection of life by the new multi-glasshouse venture, Thanet Earth, in Kent. Elizabeth O’Keefe visits the project during its first production season and asks what’s next for salad production in the UK.
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ArticleBack on track
As the carrot sector gears up for the new season, Doris Lee Butterworth talks to leading producers to consider prospects for the campaign and the major challenges and opportunities ahead.
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ArticleA family affair
Potato grower and packer St Nicholas Court Farms has held its own through the fresh produce industry’s twists and turns over the years and has established itself as a major local potato supplier with the community at its heart. Elizabeth O’Keefe visits the family-orientated firm at its Kent site to mark its 50th anniversary.
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ArticleBanana sector powers through political pitfalls
The banana category continued to be heavily influenced by fuel prices this quarter, as the industry braces itself for the traditional summer slump caused by the popularity of seasonal fruits in the UK. However, supply overcame labour issues to deliver a relatively calm period for the sector. Alex Lawson reports.
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Seasonality is a world concept
Having reported on the fresh produce industry for half a century, I have long had a dream about seasonality. This was finally
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Markets ready to embrace changes
Having returned from our annual spring conference held this year in Prague, Czech Republic, it is good to have the opportunity
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FPC to monitor Defra reshuffle
With the government in meltdown and ministers jumping ship at an alarming pace, we noted in particular that DEFRA minister for