Crop protection, population growth and raising consumption top the list of biggest challenges facing the fresh produce industry in the future, according to leading sector figures exclusively interviewed by FPJ.
Key stakeholders in the UK and global fresh produce industry, who were visiting Fruit Logistica in Berlin last week (w/c 2 February), were asked what they thought was the biggest challenge for the future.
One of the most common challenges cited was the need for crop protection products in order to combat new pests and diseases facing the horticulture industry.
Other answers ranged from how to find and maintain a reliable labour source, feed a growing world population, or raise consumption of fresh produce. None of the respondents listed climate change or the debate around genetically modified (GM) foods as the biggest challenge for the future.
Sarah Calcutt, chairman of the National Fruit Show, said labour is the biggest challenge facing the industry. “It’s the availability of the right kind of labour, in the right place at the right time of year,” she noted.
CEO of Worldwide Fruit, Steve Maxwell, chose variety development as a future obstacle to tackle. “There are too many varieties on the market. We need to make sure the ones we bring to the market offer something better,” he said.
Adrian Barlow, CEO of English Apples & Pears, summed up what growers face in the future by highlighting the need for tools to fight new pests. “The biggest challenge facing the fresh produce industry is raising consumption, and equal with that is the availability of sufficiently powerful crop protection products,” he said.
And Dominic Weaver, communications director at RED communications, focused on the need to boost consumption of fruit and vegetables. “Promoting fruit and vegetables effectively through various channels is what we need to be doing,” he explained.
FPJ editor Michael Barker said the biggest challenge facing producers is how to make a profit in the context of supermarket price wars pushing down shelf-prices of fruit and vegetables.
Fruit Logistica took place last week (4-6 February) and received a record number of attendees.
For the full write-up of the event, see this week’s issue of FPJ, out 13 February.
To watch the video of FPJ’s industry survey, click here.
No comments yet