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.
Consumers want greater support for avocado growers amid climate change threat
Charity Christian Aid calls for action on emissions as water stress in key production regions like Mexico, Spain and Chile leaves future of avocado supply in doubt
NI early pots set for June debut
Northern Ireland’s early potato season delayed by wet weather and poor seed availability
Scotland ‘blazing trail’ in organic farming
Organic food production is rising in Scotland as progress stalls in rest of UK, new Defra stats reveal
Retail execs deny exploiting UK growers
Supermarket bosses defend retail-grower relationships at EFRA Committee inquiry
MPs express concern over post-Brexit border measures
Cross-party rural affairs committee disappointed at lack of clarity in government new border check measures
Veg Power’s ‘Growing To Love’ returns to UK schools
Tomato growing campaign designed to encourage primary school children to eat more veg relaunches this year with support from celebrities
Nationwide celebrates FareShare success
Nationwide Produce reaches million-meal milestone with FareShare
Brakes launches Foodie Expo 2024
Leading UK foodservice supplier takes food event on tour
Veg Power launches ‘Simply Veg Learning’
Veg Power launches free eLearning platform to improve UK’s veg consumption and dietary health
EFRA to quiz supermarkets on fairness in supply chain
Supermarkets’ senior executives to face questions from MPs over food price inflation, profits and relationships with producers
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Fresh Direct launches mushroom meat
The UK foodservice provider says its latest innovation is set to reduce food waste
Gander and Snappy Shopper initiative gathers pace
Two tech firms have joined forces to help cut convenience-store-customer grocery-bills and reduce food waste
Brexit border checks will start from 30 April
The government has denied reports that post-Brexit checks on EU goods “won’t be ‘turned on’” from the end of the month
UK farming unions call for retailer support over weather crisis
Heavy rainfall and damaging storms have played havoc with food production
Defra delays post-Brexit border checks
UK government postpones start of physical checks on EU food imports for sixth time to avoid “serious disruption” at the border, according to report
Unite warns of empty shelves at Morrisons
The union says Morrisons’ logistics workers in Cheshire and Wakefield could strike over pensions, leaving store shelves empty
Early start for Zespri as NZ kiwifruit arrives in Europe
Europe and North America director Steven Martina confirms plan for bigger marketing campaign this year as the company targets sale of around 70m trays in Europe
SPAR South West teams up with FareShare
The food retailer is partnering with FareShare to cut waste and fight hunger in the South West
Turbulent times in tomatoes
Cost pressures, supply chain disruption, and the threat of ToBRV are taking their toll on the British tomato sector, but Alex Margerison-Smith of Keelings sees opportunities for innovative growers with a focus on premium varieties
Comment: Cheap bananas are here to stay
Unless the supply of bananas into European markets can be managed somehow, shippers in Latin America, Africa and the Caribbean will always be at the mercy of retailers.