Latest news stories from Produce Plus
News updates for the fresh produce business in Australia and New Zealand.
Premier Fresh Australia becomes 100 per cent Australian-owned
Premier updates ownership with current shareholders Anthony Di Pietro and Mark Lo Giudice acquiring stake held by Market Gardeners
Apal appoints new board chair Lisa May
May succeeds Reg Weine who stood down after four years in the role
Sun World International launches two new table grape varieties
Production of Applause and Epic Crisp set to ramp up in next five years
Rockit chief executive Mark O’Donnell to retire
O’Donnell set to exit the role in March 2025 an international search for his replacement is underway
Leading Chinese avocado importer Riverking to visit Queensland
Visit follows tour of West Australian orchards late last year
Conversations
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
Fruitbox 94 · Abs van Rooyen, Clemengold
Chris and Abs discuss the impact of branding in the fresh produce business
Australian Food and Grocery Code of Conduct to be made mandatory following completed review
Australian government agrees to implement all 11 recommendations from the final report into the Australian Food and Grocery Code of Conduct
Federal funding for Australian table grape traceability solution
“Plug-and-play” solution set to streamline traceability and advance exports to South-East Asia
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
China and New Zealand resume kiwiberry trade
New protocol signed between governments grants access for kiwiberries after eight-year pause
Government injects A$5m into Melbourne irradiation upgrade to aid horticulture exports
Investment will double the irradiation capacity at the Steritech X-ray facility boosting biosecurity protections and enhancing trade opportunities for fresh produce
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Record-breaking Hort Connections buoys Australian fresh produce industry
The 2024 event saw 20 per cent increase in both delegate and grower attendance on previous year
Evaldar wins Honey Gold Grower of the Year
Mango grower recognised for excellent communication and accurate forecasting at Piñata Farms’ annual Honey Gold Congress
Melons Australia research project highlights health credentials
Project with Foodiq identifies health benefits associated with melon category’s broad spectrum of colours
Kalfresh supports healthy eating campaign to promote consumption
Queensland carrot grower targets families with lunchbox-friendly snack range of pre-cut and shredded carrots
Fruit Logistica records 10 per cent rise in exhibitor bookings
Deadline to reserve stand space at world’s most important fruit and veg industry trade show is on 31 July 2024
CSIRO develops imaging technology to identify fruit fly in cherries
Lead researcher Maryam Yazdani says new AI-powered technology could lead to further access to export countries
Hort Innovation and Thinkerbell lock in marketing partnership
Hort Innovation partners with Thinkerbell on multi-platform marketing campaign for Australia’s fruit, nut and vegetable sectors
China claims avocado import crown
Asia’s avocado trade trends upwards, with China overtaking Japan as the region’s largest importer for the first time in 2023
Australian apple and pear industry celebrates excellence
Growers and industry professionals from across the country receive industry honours from Apal
Hort Innovation sets A$500m goal for Frontiers
Hort Innovation launches new investment programme focused on R&D