Latest news stories from Produce Plus
News updates for the fresh produce business in Australia and New Zealand.
Hort Innovation re-appoints Julie Bird as chair
Voting members re-elected Bird alongside board member Jan Vydra at the organisation’s AGM
Metagen develops DNA-based diagnostic test in battle against SLB
Biotechnology company also seeks to research stemphylium leaf blight fungicide resistance
RMIT launches research hub to unlock protected cropping potential
Five-year programme to develop solutions in renewable energy, plant quality enhancement and intelligent greenhouse monitoring and analysis
Zespri’s Northern Hemisphere sales season underway
SunGold production is expected to increase by 30 per cent from last season
HortNZ appoints Ripeka Evans as independent director
Evans brings more than 40 years of strategic leadership and governance experience to the role
Conversations
Fruitbox 116 · Mark Landini, Landini Associates
Sydney-based retail consultant explains how supermarkets can reconnect with customers through better design, storytelling, and a renewed focus on food
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
John Antoniadis crowned South Australian Cherry King at charity auction
Antoniadis of Agostino Group claims title after winning bid in South Australian Produce Market charity cherry auction for Variety SA
Tasmanian Seasonal Produce Guide launches on National Ag Day
Now in its 18th year, the guide will be available digitally for the first time
Australian almond industry eyes Asia expansion
China, India, Indonesia and Malaysia are priority markets in industry’s new strategic push to drive export growth
Citrus Australia calls for pause on Vietnamese pomelo imports
Citrus Australia has called on the agriculture minister to pause Vietnam’s pomelo market access application, citing significant biosecurity risks from citrus canker that require further scientific assessment before trade can proceed safely
Perfection Fresh and Opal trial new mango multipack packaging
Kerbside recyclable cardboard packaging meets sustainability and convenience needs
SUBSCRIBE TO PRODUCE PLUS
Produce Plus is the leading fruit and vegetable industry marketing magazine in Australia and New Zealand.
Subscribe and get four issues per year. Plus newsletters, special publications, and full digital access.
Nutritional serve pricing trial increases vegetable purchases
Initiative shows cost per serve alongside standard per-kilogram pricing for vegetables
Young horticulturists unite across Australia for National Ag Day
More than 120 young horticulturists participate in farm visits, networking sessions in six states
Centuria secures Perfection Fresh-operated Two Wells glasshouse
Perfection Fresh will continue to operate the glasshouse after it was secured for A$168mn from Fresh Country Farms
Redland acquires marketing rights to Australian-grown Dorì Gold kiwifruit
Programme includes six growers with plan to increase plantings to 150ha by 2030
Zespri raises 2025/26 forecast with record per-hectare returns
Zespri has upgraded its November forecast for the 2025/26 season, with per-tray returns increasing across all fruit groups and record per-hectare returns now projected
Two iconic New Zealand apple varieties mark 40 years
Scifresh and Scilate, marketed as Jazz and Envy, were first developed by scientists at the Bioeconomy Science Institute in 1985
Government hears industry concerns as potato mop-top virus enters management phase
Government-industry meeting brings together over 50 potato industry, grower and government biosecurity representatives
Innovar introduces CIV strawberry genetics to New Zealand market
Freshmax Group’s commercial IP development arm extends partnership with Italian breeder
WA Farm Direct highlights Bravo apple’s heart health benefits
New research shows the burgundy apple has one of the highest levels of flavonoids in Australia
Favco QLD introduces new mango variety Ruby Gold to Australian market
Commercial volumes to hit Australian shelves for the first time from late November