Markets news from Fresh Produce Journal
Essential stories, analysis and research from UK’s fresh produce markets, with a focus on retail, wholesale, marketing, and consumers.
Chilean suppliers form BabyPlum Club for premium plums
Eight of the country’s leading fruit companies join forces to grow and sell varieties bred by Spain’s Ibergen Frutales
Co-op first to switch to homegrown strawberries
For the fourth season running, Co-op says it is the first UK retailer to move to exclusively domestically produced strawberries
Vitacress relaunches Steve’s Leaves salad brand
Baby leaf salad brand has relaunched into Waitrose and Ocado with fresh look focused on outdoor heritage and sustainability credentials
UK Packaging Pact goes beyond plastic
As the issue of waste continues to overwhelm local systems, the UK Packaging Pact aims to transform the whole UK packaging system into a sustainable operation through coordinated action
Cherry Blossom Festival builds excitement as Picota season approaches
Michael Barker reports on the latest efforts to market Picota cherries and celebrate the beauty of Spain’s Jerte Valley
California Table Grape Commission welcomes funding boost
The Commission has been awarded US$2.2mn through the America First Trade Promotion Program to expand global promotions
Hort left out of energy exemption list as government says it’s ‘watching closely’
Fresh produce businesses will be left to face soaring energy costs alone after further expansion to industrial protection scheme excludes sector
M&S drops prices on 19 veg lines to attract families
Premium retailer has placed 22 lines including brassicas, garlic, courgettes and leeks into either its value or ‘dropped and locked’ ranges and lowered some prices in a bid to entice more family shoppers and double its food business
Cavolo Nero sales up 17 per cent as fibre trend takes off
Sales of popular black kale are up as consumers responds to social media trend to increase fibre intake as a way to improve gut health and manage weight
T&G’s Envy becomes New Zealand’s first billion-dollar apple brand
Major milestone reflects sustained global demand and years of investment in the marketer’s integrated end-to-end apples system
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The Watercress Company aims to raise £10k for local charity
Tours and tastings will add a farm angle to community watercress festival that helps raise funds for local charity supporting young people with cancer
Italian apple suppliers express concern over Gulf conflict’s ‘long-term damage’
Industry association Assomela says higher input costs and price inflation could have serious impact on demand for fruit
Florida citrus industry likely to export less in future, admits FCC chairman
Packers remain concerned about future of USDA’s market access programme, as state contends with huge challenges at home and abroad
Tesco trials AI assistant to help people write their shopping lists
UK’s largest supermarket develops AI-powered shopping assistant to offer personalised recipe ideas and automated basket creation
Agriplace rebrands as Simvia as compliance data requirements grow
Software company says change marks evolution from compliance platform to trusted infrastructure for Europe’s consumer goods market
T&G Global explores break-up options amid sale process
Divisions of T&G Fresh could be sold off to different buyers as part of one option under consideration
Dulcis chimes with retailers during ‘exceptional’ season
Green kiwifruit brand appears to be gaining traction with major retailers across Europe and beyond, as it targets even bigger crop next season
Wood pallet sector faces ‘most challenging conditions’ ahead
New EU regulations, supply constraints, and economic uncertainty were discussed at the recent Timcon general meeting
Fear of price rises and shortages without action
Price increases and potential shortages loom if the government and retailers don’t provide support, UK vegetable growers warn
Belgian potato suppliers eye UK market opportunities
Warnez and The Potato Chef think they can offer something different with their niche varieties and innovative NPD