April
Waitrose launched a Perfectly Ripe premium fruit range, while fellow retailer Somerfield revealed it had a suitor. Tesco and Sainsbury's - which was still number two in March - were told to watch out for NGO trouble. The Co-op took the unprecedented step of price cuts for Fairtrade fruit. And two Italian organics producers joined forces.
Top two retailers heading for trouble
Major Italian organic alliance
May
The PPECB got BRC'd. Geest was reported to be a takover target for Associated British Foods. Heveco mushrooms predicted volume uplift, but sainsbury's was to axe one in four buyers. Redbridge made the headlines again, this time through a link with Top Produce in Jersey.
June
Bomfords buys Gerber, while burger chain reports successful entrance into fruit. The Greenery unveiled and distributed its salad report exclusively in the Journal. Empire World Trade topped the growth chart. And Germans faced up to a naming and shaming pesticide policy.
