Latest news stories from Produce Plus
News updates for the fresh produce business in Australia and New Zealand.
Ausveg launches Knowledge Hub centralising R&D projects
More than 3,000 entries cover ag-tech, growing techniques, business development and consumer insights
Apal delivers new five-year strategy for Australian apple and pear industry
Plan includes four new strategic pillars to support actionable steps towards sustainable growth
New Zealand finalises fruit fly response after no more detections
Biosecurity New Zealand ends movement controls in Auckland after seven seven-week response
The US hikes China tariffs to 125 per cent
Announcement comes as Trump puts 90-day pause on most other imposed tariffs subjecting them to a baseline 10 per cent rate
Australian Banana Growers’ Council recommences TR4 surveillance
Surveillance programme to operate under new name with focus on grower support
Conversations
Fruitbox 108 · Carlo Magni & Louise Beard, Forward Insight
Chris, Carlo and Louise consider the consumers of tomorrow, the choices they will make and how we can develop fresh produce that will appeal to them
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
Fruitbox 95 · Sir Charles Godfray, Oxford University
Chris and Sir Charles discuss what population growth and climate change mean for the global food system
Gaia Project Australia receives A$1mn seed funding for CEA technology
Ag-tech start-up’s Omni-System designed to increase yields and reduce costs
Australian supermarkets issue pre-packaged salad recall
Major retailers issue proactive, extended recall after contamination detected in pre-packaged, ready-to-eat spinach products in Queensland
Piqa Boo pear rebrands as Piqa Red
New elevated branding set to position the pear as premium offering
Summerfruit Australia welcomes Carrie Starkings as new CEO
This is the first of several major decisions the industry body is set to make to improve its operations
Bloom Fresh names Campbell Banfield as new general manager Australia, New Zealand, South-East Asia and Korea
Appointment signals Bloom Fresh’s plans for growth in these markets across multiple categories
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Australian avocado season kicks off with launch event in Malaysia
Shepard avocado crop opens 2025 season with Hass avocados expected in April
Palms Vineyards to leverage new Sun World licence
Australian table grape grower-exporter hopes to leverage new licence as it delivers top quality fruit this season
Ryan Arnold appointed deputy chair of Citrus Australia
Arnold steps in for outgoing Greg Fraser with Richard Byllaardt re-elected as chair
Goodness Grown and Premier Fresh Australia announce strategic partnership
Premier to market and distribute Goodness Grown’s glasshouse-grown tomatoes throughout Australia
Hort Frontiers launches mentoring programme
Australian-Grown Innovation is designed to support Australia’s horticulture supply chain develop of commercially viable products and services
Sassy apples hit South African shelves
New Zealand-developed variety is lighting up South African stores as consumers are introduced to the apple’s ‘new zing’
Cordoma builds high-flavour brand for Australian grapes
A new Sun World marketing licence will supplement Cordoma’s exotic brand as it aims to surprise and delight customers
New Zealand and India strengthen horticultural ties
Signed MOC set to foster technical exchanges, harvest and post-harvest management, training, and the sharing of technological expertise
ACCC supermarket inquiry recommends 20 reforms to support consumers and suppliers
Australian competition regulator suggests changes including clearer pricing practices, greater transparency for suppliers
Zespri approves red-fleshed kiwifruit commercialisation in Italy
Approval comes as initial guidance for the 2025/26 season forecasts strong returns for growers