Latest news stories from Produce Plus
News updates for the fresh produce business in Australia and New Zealand.
Premium apple demand underpins positive T&G Global 2025 results
Company revenue rises 14 per cent to NZ$1.6bn, with operating profit up 269 per cent to NZ$46.9mn
Hayward Medal awarded to Peter Ombler for outstanding contribution to the kiwifruit industry
The former NZKGI president was an early leader in both organic and conventional kiwifruit production systems and made a significant contribution to the KiwiGreen Programme
Visy opens new packaging hub in Tasmania
New site includes 8,500m² warehouse and office space which will supply cardboard packaging to customers including berry and produce growers
Zespri launches updated sustainability targets and climate transition plan
New targets announced at the kiwifruit industry’s Momentum 2026 Conference in Mount Maunganui this week
MSC launches standalone direct service from Australia to US East Coast
Weekly service supports Australia and New Zealand’s perishable and cold-chain exports with 11 vessels ranging from 2,500 TEUs to 4,500 TEUs
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
Australia’s horticulture industry reaches highest production value on record
Total output across fruit, vegetables, nuts and nursery grew 6 per cent in value in 2024/25 reaching A$18.4bn
Zespri launches 2035 strategy with ambition to become the world’s healthiest fruit brand
Strategy supported by three strategic drivers of unleashing brand demand, transforming global supply and creating a product portfolio of the future
Biosecurity New Zealand lifts fruit fly controls
After six weeks of trapping, government agency says there is no further evidence of Queensland fruit fly in Auckland’s Mount Roskill
New Zealand and India hold first meeting on horticultural cooperation
Joint Working Group meets to advance collaboration in the horticulture sector, with strong focus on kiwifruit, apple and pear development
Agrifood leaders gather at evokeAG 2026 to shape the future of farming
EvokeAG’s largest iteration draws in visitors, tech start-ups, and speakers from across Australia and the world
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ACCC raises concerns over supermarket produce pricing practices
Consumers have raised concerns about being charged per item instead of by weight
Queensland researchers identify genome associated with STR4 resistance
Five year programme finds Sub Tropical Race 4 resistance associated with chromosome 5 in wild diploid banana Calcutta 4
New Zealand’s Agovor completes funding round for autonomous robots
Investment will accelerate manufacturing in Australia, and expand Agovor’s sales and service infrastructure across Australasia
VentureFruit teams up with California Giant to introduce premium berries
Specialist partners with leading supplier in move that should bring new varieties to Canada and US
Australian macadamias source market insights in Europe, US and Asia
Data from online and offline retailers to help the industry effectively supply key export markets
Kalfresh secures A$80mn investment for bioenergy facility
Queensland vegetable grower to lead development of food and energy precinct
Philippines committed to meeting Australian banana import requirements
Australia to conduct a technical visit to the Philippines in early 2026
Zespri tips record returns in final 2025/26 forecast
New season New Zealand fruit expected to arrive in market from mid-April
Adelaide prepares for Hort Connections 2026 as event expands to four days
Exhibitor space at the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest horticulture conference in high demand
Australasian Space Innovation Institute launches National Digital Twin supporting Australian agriculture
Institute commits A$15mm to create dynamic, virtual replica of Australia’s agricultural landscapes