Latest news stories from Fresh Produce Journal
News updates for the UK fresh produce business.
GPG brings new blackberry genetics to the market
Global Plant Genetics (GPG) has signed a licensing agreement with Polish Rubus breeding programme, Niwa, for two new primocane blackberry varieties. The deal means GPG will represent the Maryna and Juhas cultivars in a range of international territories.
Zespri destroys €19m worth of kiwifruit after mouse discovery
New Zealand marketer says option to check and repack all 5,000 pallets would not guarantee food safety and could damage its brand reputation
Balanced fruit load and good quality augur well for new Picota campaign
Increased fruit availability and new grading capacity set sector up for strong season
VF plugs CEA at Farm to Fork
Vertical Future highlights potential of controlled-environment-agriculture tech at Downing Street discussion
NFU Cymru applauds new SFS timeline
Welsh farming union welcomes Senedd’s new Sustainable Farming Scheme approach
Conversations
Fruitbox 104 · Chris Mack, Fresca Group
Chris Mack of Fresca, one of the oldest established fresh produce businesses in the UK, speaks about the past, present and future of the industry
Fruitbox 102 · Helge Sparsoe, Fyffes
Chris and Helge discuss the new banana consumer brand Trudi’s, and what it means for the future of the Fyffes name
Fruitbox 101 · Alex Garcia-Devis, GlobalGAP
Chris speaks with Alex about the scarcity of water in some of the world’s key production regions, and what this means for the fresh fruit and vegetable industry
Branston’s £10k donation builds Ugandan potato skills
British supplier is working to help improve food security in southern African nation
Jazz Apple returns with new summer sampling campaign
Initiative is the brand’s first sampling tour since the pandemic
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
Fairmiles roundtable reveals “devastating” impact of airfreight ban
Blanket ban on airfreighted fresh produce will do nothing to help Net Zero and put millions of livelihoods at risk, meeting hears
Big names on the programme for Festival of Fresh 2024
Trade body heads, industry leaders, top CEOs and sustainability specialists all on the bill at Festival of Fresh 2024
SUBSCRIBE TO FRESH PRODUCE JOURNAL
The Fresh Produce Journal is the UK's leading source of fruit and vegetable industry news and analysis.
Subscribe and get 10 issues per year. Plus newsletters and full digital access.
NI early pots set for June debut
Northern Ireland’s early potato season delayed by wet weather and poor seed availability
EFRA issues five-point farming-policy proposals
EFRA committee outlines key agri-food concerns ahead of the government’s second annual Farm to Fork Summit
Berry body welcomes worker pledge but calls for longer visas
British Berry Growers has given its reaction to Defra’s labour announcement
Studies reinforce prunes' superfood status
Prunes may help reduce belly fat and the risk for cardiovascular disease while improving gut health, according to new research
Scotland ‘blazing trail’ in organic farming
Organic food production is rising in Scotland as progress stalls in rest of UK, new Defra stats reveal
Waitrose’s UK suppliers to farm regeneratively by 2035
Retailer announces a raft of initiatives to help fresh food suppliers reach environmental goals
Government announces five-year seasonal worker scheme
Long-term commitment was major industry ask and comes alongside investment in automation
OSY Group secures Xtend funding
Shelf-life-extending technology firm gets funding boost to roll out Xtend produce-pack coating in UK and abroad
Syngenta advises growers over tuber initiation stress
Crop protection firm issues advice on best use of the Quantis biostimulant
Italy can become leading berry supplier, says exporter
Continued introduction of new, licensed varieties will enable country’s soft fruit sector to sustain recent market expansion at home and abroad