Technology news from Fresh Produce Journal
Technology news stories with a direct relevance to the UK fresh produce business, including updates on production and harvesting systems, sorting and grading machinery, packaging, coldstorage and controlled atmosphere, digital management, robots and automation, vertical farming, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.
Finalists revealed for Fruit Logistica Innovation Awards 2026
Nominees for Fruit Logistica Innovation Awards 2026 have been announced, with five nominees each in Fresh Produce and Technology categories
New Port Community System completes initial roll-out
Initial roll-out of upgraded port system is now fully operational as Community Network Services prepares to expand into further key terminals including DP World London Gateway
Trinity AgTech buys Agrimetrics’ satellite analytics tech
Deal is set to bolster Trinity’s software platform Sandy
OSY Group expands antimicrobial tech to South Africa
Five-year deal with Mpact Operations will see shelf-life extension packaging used for grapes, stonefruit and berries
Seth Crawford named new chair at Fieldwork Robotics
New hire expected to drive global growth at robotic harvesting business
Uber Eats to deliver meals by robot in two UK cities
Partnership with Starship will see AI robot deliveries in Sheffield and Leeds begin this winter, with a European and US rollout set to follow
Tiernaneill Mushrooms hails ‘major step forward’ for sustainable cultivation
Irish grower sees peat-free substrate as solution as industry transitions away from peat casing, set to be phased out by 2030
Milestone gene-editing legislation comes into force in England
England becomes first country in Europe to legalise the development of gene-edited and other precision-bred plants, with potential benefits in terms of disease resistance and yield
Future of tomatoes in the spotlight in Malaga
Tomato experts gathered in the Spanish city of Malaga this week for Fruitnet Tomato Congress, a two-day event highlighting the big future challenges facing the category, as well as the opportunities and solutions for businesses
Home Harvest’s ‘home farm’ overcomes six-month sea test
New salad technology for domestic use is set to launch commercially in 2026
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Fruitnet Tomato Congress looks to the future of tomatoes
On 11-12 November in Malaga, Spain, essential event focuses on how the fresh tomato business can cope with future challenges like climate change, labour challenges, and evolving consumer demand
Irrigation costs ’making UK potato growers question the future’
Fred Searle speaks to Greens of Soham MD William Shakeshaft to hear about the main challenges and opportunities for the Cambridgeshire-based potato producer, from water security to sustainable technologies
Thorvald strawberry robot closes biggest season to date
Robotic platform is now used across a fifth of UK tabletop strawberry production, for UV-C treatment and precision data collection
IGD identifies seven key retail trends for 2026
Market analyst IGD has unveiled seven pivotal trends set to shape the global food and grocery retail landscape in 2026, from cybersecurity priorities to AI-driven innovation and sustainability initiatives
‘Game-changing’ fruit sticker promises major shelf-life extension
US company Ryp Labs has big ambitions for its StixFresh technology
IFPA launches AI-powered Global Intelligence Engine for produce industry
The International Fresh Produce Association has launched an AI-empowered Global Intelligence Engine, a members-only data platform that transforms how the fresh produce and floral industry accesses and acts on market information
Applications open for Fruit Logistica Innovation Award 2026
FLIA Fresh Produce and FLIA Technology participation is free of charge, so make sure you submit your application before the end of October
Produce Investments boosts portfolio with Biofresh Safestore buy
The purchase boosts PI’s expertise in natural sprout supression technology
Fieldwork Robotics partners with Portuguese berry producers for harvesting trials
Fieldwork Robotics has partnered with Portugal’s Research Centre for Sustainability for a 24-month programme to trial robotic raspberry harvesting on farms near São Teotónio, focusing on Driscoll’s varieties and addressing regional labour shortages
Rijk Zwaan champions ToBRFV-resistant tomato varieties
Dutch seed specialist Rijk Zwaan continues to develop its portfolio of tomato varieties with high resistance to Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus, addressing one of the industry’s most pressing challenges