It is with sadness that we report the death of Aaron Priel, on January 2.

Aaron Priel was one of Lockwood Press’s longest established specialist correspondents, recruited by the then Fruit Trades Journal editor David Shapley in the early 1970s to enhance the coverage of Israeli horticulture in the FTJ and fledgling Eurofruit magazines.

A professional journalist who had worked on some of Israel’s top titles, Aaron built up a unique knowledge of his country’s agriculture sector through contacts at every level of the citrus, deciduous and vegetable sectors. He gave FPJ readers the value of that insight into the economic and political decisions that were made in an industry that became increasingly significant to the UK trade over the last 30 years.

During his career, Aaron also built up a rapport with, and wrote for other specialist fresh produce trade journals, and covered everything from the massive expansion of Agrexco to the disbanding of the country’s Citrus Marketing Board, the subsequent period of intense internal competition, and the developments that led to eventual stability.

His reports also regularly included an informed analysis of much of the leading research work carried out by Israeli scientists, and the exposure he gained for the country has helped to build and maintain its reputation as an international pioneer.

"Aaron was an invaluable source of accurate and timely information for both the FPJ and its readers throughout a crucial period in the development of Israel as a major world fresh produce force," said FPJ editor Tommy Leighton. "He was also a lovely man, friend and colleague and we will miss him greatly. Our condolences go to all of his family."

His funeral takes place in Rehovot, this afternoon [January 3].

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