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Mike Knowles
Mike Knowles is managing director of Fruitnet Europe, part of Fruitnet Media International – a world leader in fresh produce business news, analysis, and events. With an in-depth knowledge of the global fruit and vegetable trade, Mike has established a reputation as one of the industry's expert commentators.
Contact info
- Tel:
- +44 20 7501 3702
- Fax:
- +44 20 7501 0306
- Email:
- michael@fruitnet.com
- Article
Rijk Zwaan beefs up berry breeding business
New facility in the Dutch soft fruit heartland around Breda promises to enhance breeding company’s berry R&D potential
- Article
Sicilian producers in ‘race against time’ as drought continues
Situation is extreme for region’s fruit and vegetable producers, with around half the island said to be at serious risk of desertification
- Video
Fruitnet helps Flanders explore Norwegian market
Suppliers from the Belgian region have identified Norway as a major opportunity to sell more fresh produce including berries and pears
- Article
Zespri on track for record returns to growers
Company expects to sell its NZ kiwifruit sales to top NZ$4.5bn, marking a return to form after last season’s underwhelming result
- Article
Chiquita plans to appeal US court verdict on Colombia killings
Fruit supplier maintains its payments to AUC were the result of extortion, not collusion, after Florida jury demands damages be paid
- Article
Chiquita must pay US$38m to families of Colombia paramilitary victims
Court ruling says multinational fruit marketer “knowingly” paid the terrorist organisation AUC, which was found responsible for eight killings
- Article
Regional trend favours covered strawberry production in Germany
As the economy and environment throw up some tough challenges, greater consumer interest in high-quality local supply offers some commercial hope
- Article
Cherry growers in Puglia count cost of drought
Hot, dry weather during the spring means harvested volume in Italy’s leading production region could be half what they were last season
- Article
Retail prices for Italian melons on upward curve
Average supermarket prices have reportedly increased over the past few years, helping to reduce the impact of rising costs
- Article
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
- Article
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
- Article
Macfrut puts Italian produce on show
Rimini event reports biggest attendance to date as it maintains position as country’s leading fresh fruit and vegetable trade exhibition
- Article
Italy sets high bar as exporters meet in Rimini
During the opening of Italy’s largest fresh produce trade fair Macfrut, the country’s agriculture minister called on the industry’s leading companies to build new demand on the world stage
- Article
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
- Article
Orsero Group and Molari family buy into berry joint venture
New partnership project called Frutti di Gil sees one of Europe’s largest fresh produce distributors make significant investment in Italy’s burgeoning soft fruit business
- Article
Jumbo expands reach with new distribution centre
New fresh produce CDC designed to speed up delivery of products including fruit and vegetables to 700+ stores in Netherlands and Belgium
- Article
Agrintesa merges with stonefruit and citrus specialist Osas
Company extends its production further south to secure new supply of products including Calabrian clementines and Ondine flat peaches
- Article
Crimson Snow apple volume overtakes Kiku for first time
As Kiku Variety Management celebrates 25 years in business, the success of this white-skinned variety points to a bright future for the club apple specialist
- Article
Zespri puts NZ kiwifruit on hold in Europe after mice alert
No fruit from company’s first new-season consignment of SunGold will be released until further inspections have been carried out and any affected product is destroyed
- Article
Early start for Zespri as NZ kiwifruit arrives in Europe
Europe and North America director Steven Martina confirms plan for bigger marketing campaign this year as the company targets sale of around 70m trays in Europe