All articles by FPJ Staff – Page 244
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ArticleChile in the driving seat
For Chilean grape and stone-fruit producers, the season is shaping up to be of mixed fortune. Fruit size remains an issue, the weather is causing problems for some growers and competition is heating up.
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ArticleCool runnings
The fresh produce sector has made progress during 2004 in managing rising energy costs and the insurance premium issues it faces with cold storage, reports Anabella de Sousa. To meet the high demands of supermarkets and consumers, freshness, appearance and shelf life are of paramount importance. And with further developments in cold storage, the fresh produce sector has improved its competitiveness and will not be left out in the cold.
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ArticleWhen, why and where UK eats its grapes
Grapes are a popular favourite with consumers, and according to TNS there were around 833 million grape consumption occasions last year.
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ArticleSATI unites South African industry
South Africa’s grape industry has a new representative body, bringing growers and exporters together under one united banner for the first time since deregulation. Tommy Leighton reports.
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ArticleIndustry awaits end to sulphur stalemate
The grape industry has been holding its collective breath since September; awaiting further developments from within the European Commission on the use of sulphur pads. Tommy Leighton talks to European trade body Freshfel for the latest SO2 situation.
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ArticleJPFD on trail of Frutavit solution
UK grape supplier JP Fruit Distributors (JPFD) is working with Israeli post-harvest solution provider Frutavit to develop a viable alternative to the use of sulphur pads in the transportation of grapes. Both parties are confident they are well on the road to commercialising a solution that could revolutionise the performance of grapes on the UK retail shelves. Tommy Leighton reports.
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ArticleThe Smart sulphur alternative
Final decisions may not yet have been made on the future of the sulphur pad in grape distribution, but the UK market is preparing itself for the possibility that an outright ban could be implemented. According to Andrew Knight, ceo of Longlife Solutions, the diminishing use of sulphur pads is the most dramatic change occurring in grape packaging. Elspeth Waters reports.
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ArticleJoint effort bears fruit
A collaborative project between Embrapa and Hamburg Süd has successfully tested the shipment of table grapes without the use of sulphur dioxide pads, reports Anabella de Sousa.
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ArticleRHG improves its fitness
The 2004 grape tender at Tesco left Kent-based Richard Hochfeld Group (RHG) in a much stronger position with the UK’s leading retailer. Not only has the company benefited from larger programmes, RHG has examined every facet of its business to emerge a fitter organisation, better equipped to meet the expectations of its major UK customer. Tommy Leighton reports.
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ArticleSpain looks to score with ITUM
With the trend in European markets - and especially the UK - for fewer customers expecting more and buying larger volumes for less, there is constant pressure on fresh produce. Grape growers in Spain are coming up with novel solutions to meet these exacting demands, writes kathy Hammond.
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ArticleOnward and upward at JP
JP Fruit Distributors (JPFD) has expanded its grape business as the category as a whole enjoys a continuous and healthy upward sales spiral. Tommy Leighton talks to the Dartford-based supplier.
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ArticleWaitrose seedless strategy
Seedless grape has taken an increasingly significant position in Waitrose branches since its buying team, backed by category leader British and Brazilian has been able to achieve year-round sourcing. David Shapley reports.
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ArticleCalifornia sets out stall
As world-wide grape production continues climbing, US grape shippers are understandably keen to hold on to UK sales.
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ArticleSun World breeds great new hopes
California-based Sun World International operates one of the largest fruit breeding programmes in the world and is keen to continue extending its sphere of influence.