All articles by FPJ Staff – Page 96
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ArticleWhen East meets West: growing the Asian link
The relationship between the UK and the fast-growing economies of Asia will become increasingly interlinked in the future. This will see produce flowing in greater volumes from the likes of India, China and Thailand to the EU and UK market. The other way, there will be a rise in key unique services, technologies, training and education from the West being sought in Asia to accelerate their supply chain development. Rebecca Lewis from Promar International picks up on some emerging trends
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ArticleThe sweet smell of success
As far as the fresh produce industry goes, the allium category is an exciting one and onions and garlic attract a good deal of attention from both consumers and the mainstream food media. Elizabeth O’Keefe gauges the industry’s mood as the UK season gets going
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ArticleFrench pray for recovery
French growers and exporters are hoping for an apple season that will allow them to recover from the “catastrophe” of last year. With a run of two difficult seasons, will it be third time lucky for the sector? Anna Sbuttoni previews the season ahead
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ArticleBanana trade struggles as new price war is declared
The banana trade remains tough going as the traditional summer slump takes full effect. As if that wasn’t enough, the first signs of a new price war among the supermarkets are in evidence that could see retails plummeting. Alex Lawson reports
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Retailers get creative with summer pack offerings
It has generally been a long hot summer this year, which has given the limited crop of apricots grown on these shores a
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Information is gold as Tesco seeks feedback
The customer is always right, or so the old saying goes. They might be happy with BOGOFs, economy packs or even winning
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Will Sibley honoured at Court Dinner
The Summer Court Dinner of the Fruiterers is traditionally held in July and attracts husbands, wives and partners. It is
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Battle for British is good for suppliers
It’s all happening in English top fruit at the moment.Supermarkets love nothing more than getting one up on their
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ArticleFairtrade takes novel angle to power fruit sales
The Fairtrade Foundation took an innovative approach to driving fruit sales last week. Alex Lawson considers the thinking behind the new Power Up Your Fruit Bowl campaign and its implications
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ArticleAsh clouds Kenyan sales
Horticulture is Kenya’s biggest foreign exchange earner and employs more than one million people. The industry enjoys a solid reputation for supplying high quality vegetables and flowers, though the sector has recently been hit by the impact of the Icelandic volcanic ash cloud, high inflation and an unfavourable exchange rate. Doris Lee Butterworth reports
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ArticleRolling with the punches
It is well known that Kent has a lot to offer as a horticultural hub, with its thriving orchards, bustling distribution centre in Paddock Wood and a leading centre in UK R&D in East Malling Research (EMR). But as environmental and financial changes take hold, how will Kent remain on top? Elizabeth O’Keefe tours the area to find out
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ArticleBerries fly the flag, but suppliers have struggled to shift volumes
British berries have gained from media backing and promotions from the likes of household names Delia Smith and Heston Blumenthal, but this summer has turned out trickier than expected. Anna Sbuttoni reports
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Abundant produce on show in stores during the summer
While produce shelves are still groaning under the weight of summer fruit, a visit to some of Kent’s orchards last week
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Fruit and veg price rises look inevitable
Ever since the cost of food rose at an unprecedented rate in 2008, supermarkets have done a pretty good job of keeping a lid
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ArticleA viable energy resource?
The coalition government’s support of biomass projects using anaerobic digestion has attracted considerable attention and provides opportunities for the fresh produce sector. Here, Jacqui O’Keeffe, projects partner at law firm Howard Kennedy, considers the options
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ArticleTrading places
High volatility in the global financial markets means importers have had to develop new levels of expertise in currency trading. Michael Barker reports
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ArticleBradford’s wholesale market shows commitment to success
The tale of Bradford’s wholesale market is not the usual one of struggle: the units are full, the tenants work together for the common good, the relatively new building that houses the fruit and vegetable companies is being continually refurbished and independent retailers - their main customers - are still booming. Elizabeth O’Keefe finds out more
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How times change: Ashton recalls 25 years of berry success
BerryWorld procurement director Dave Ashton has been a lynchpin in the soft-fruit company’s operation since its inception 16 years ago. Alex Lawson caught up with him to discuss 25 years in the produce trade
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ArticleWater fears for parched UK vegetables
Home-grown vegetables are thirsty following a sunshine-filled summer and very little rainfall in some of the major producing areas of the UK, leaving fields in need of some extra irrigation and growers fearful of what it could mean for their margins. Anna Sbuttoni reports
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FPC lobbying sees results, now time for a holiday
Nibbling my way through remarkably good strawberries in a marquee in a field in Kent and oddly enough for the South East this