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.
Veg Power 2026 results shows power of repetition
Children who participated more than once in the flagship ‘Eat them to defeat them’ campaign ate more veg, new figures have shown
Banana Link remains determined after three decades
Despite a bunch of successes over its 30 years of existence, UK-based Banana Link faces some familiar challenges as it continues to strive for sustainability across the banana supply chain
Regenerative farming ‘central to future of UK horticulture’
Regen is moving from concept to commercial reality across the UK sector, as growers and suppliers view soil health as key to resilience and long-term sustainability
Lidl launches summer ‘scavenger’ hunt for fresh produce
A new scheme in select Lidl stores near deprived areas will see kids’ trolleys feature clues to fruit and veg as part of new game to drive engagement and education
Oregon pear growers face ruin after ‘extremely difficult’ campaign
Combination of psylla infestation, drought, rising costs, labour shortages and trade tensions brings some growers to brink
Mitrofresh expands with new UK distribution centre
Exotic mushroom supplier based in the Netherlands says new UK facility will improve delivery times and strengthen supply chains for British customers
Peruvian asparagus suppliers facing ‘severe’ shortage
Unusual weather patterns linked to El Niño are causing shortage and quality issues set to last weeks
Summer border delays could bring ‘untold disruption’ to Dover
The CEO of the port of Dover has warned fresh produce hauliers could be stuck behind queues of summer tourist traffic as new digital EES checks are set to cause severe hold-ups
Tempestuous season takes toll on South African grape trade
Geopolitical, logistical and climate disruptions all combine to prompt major shakeup in country’s grape export business
Asda launches yellow watermelon
Retailer has won key consumer media coverage for new melon launch, described as ‘must-have’ summer snack
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Sainsbury’s AVA Magnum strawberries from ASF prevail in Telegraph taste test
Berries supplied by Angus Soft Fruits praised for dark colour and rich flavour in well-established quality assessment
Steve McVickers joins WB Chambers as commercial director
Former CCO at Fruitist joins leading Kent berry and cherry producer after eight months sailing around the world as part of a Clipper yacht crew
‘Get a variety trial wrong and breeder loses the right, grower loses the upside’
Tomer Biran, a legal consultant specialising in varietal protection, explores the IP pitfalls of trials and the commercialisation of new fresh produce varieties
Love Island’s Farmer Will fronts new mushroom campaign
The EU-funded campaign aims to position mushrooms as a ‘sneaky snack’ for young consumers with ambitions to double consumption by 2030
‘Mini marketeers’ take over Borough Market
Schoolchildren from across London will be selling their finest fresh produce at the iconic market today as part of a long-running food education initiative
MDS launches new return to work scheme for women
Applications are open for a new eight-week programme that aims to support women returning to work after maternity or other career breaks by rebuilding confidence, skills and resilience
Timcon urges UK government to cut pallet business red tape
Industry body is pressing to secure special dispensation or full exemption for wooden pallets and timber packaging moving between the UK and EU
Pink Lady slices among fruit pot recall after Salmonella finding
PrepWorld has recalled several fruit pots from six retailers across the UK and Ireland after routine testing found Salmonella in apple and kiwi
UK berries survive heat for Wimbledon but salad crops struggle
British strawberries are expected to have survived last week’s extreme heatwave in time for Wimbledon, but salad crops exceeded optimum growing temperatures
Tropical fruits outperform wider produce market, congress hears
Suppliers and retailers gather for Fruitnet Tropicals Congress, where commercial outlook is very positive despite major challenges