January
The first month of 2003 carried on where the final quarter of 2002 had left off. The merger and acquisition trail was hot news, as four of the five top stories from January illustrate. The fifth most visited story was ñ surprisingly maybe ñ an article detailing the preferences of carrot consumers.
Redbridge AFI / Worldwide Fruit seal marketing jv
Mack completes purchase of DGM Food Group
Redbridge and Chingford link up
February
The Spanish caught a chill in February, threatening the continuity of supplies to northern Europe. Asda reiterated its support for its UK fresh produce suppliers, while Greenery Superior invested in new ripening facilities. Capespan unveiled a new image for its peak season in the UK and a new Panamanian project raised the bar in the melon job.
Asda stays loyal to UK growers
March
The EurepGAP debate intensified, as the industry was told that it should view the minimum standards as a non-competitive issue. The ambitiously named Produce World Ltd created a new £90 million name on the UK vegetable landscape. Del Monte announced the launch of its golden pineapples into the prepared market, while the Safeway saga began to take hold. Is frozen veg healthier? the debate raged and got you clicking.
