Latest news stories from Produce Plus
News updates for the fresh produce business in Australia and New Zealand.
Australian avocado industry launches in-store ripeness scanner trial
Ripeness scanner developed by Dutch agri-tech company OneThird uses near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy to rapidly and non-destructively assess avocado firmness
Hort Innovation announces change in board leadership
Current chair Julie Bird shares plans to retire from the role at the 2026 Annual General Meeting in November transtioning the leadership to deputy chair John Said
Zespri launches RubyRed kiwifruit in Australia, Vietnam and Canada
Boost in volume to 18,000 tonnes this season expands export opportunities for the global marketer
Fruit in Schools programme fills New Zealand lunchboxes
Daily fruit for students paired with curriculum-linked teaching resources about fresh produce
Southern Forests growers unite behind Gen Fresh campaign
Television, digital media and retail partnerships highlight the growers behind the produce and encourage consumers to seek out Southern Forests food
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
Fuel supply concerns heighten for Australian growers as Middle East disruption continues
Industry bodies call for government action to secure critical inputs
Rockit launches 2026 season as New Zealand fruit reaches global markets
Season launch coincides with the rollout of the Rockit Every Moment campaign set to include influencers, key opinion leaders and celebrities to build greater awareness for the brand
Early bird registrations open for International Fresh Produce Safety Symposium 2026
Fresh produce safety event returns to Sydney on 21-22 July with two keynote speakers, Dr Elizabeth Bihn and D’Arcie Rice
HBMA welcomes new board member as Kanzi season gets underway
Robert Thompson joins as a new director following the stepping down of Laurie Thompson wha has been on the board since its inception
Australian Macadamia Society appoints Ben Baldwin as CEO
Baldwin will take over from outgoing CEO Clare Hamilton-Bate
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.
Momentum builds for Piqa Red
Prevar anticipates strong season for red pear with volumes expected to increase 15 per cent on last year
Zespri’s first charter of the 2026/27 season sets sail
The Whero has left Tauranga bound for Japan and South Korea, carrying more than 5,000 tonnes of SunGold and RubyRed kiwifruit
Tropic secures US$105mn to scale gene-edited banana production
Company plans to scale production of climate-resilient and non-browning varieties, with commercial launches due in 2027
Lineage secures export accreditation for South Australian cold storage facility
Exporters receive a shorter route to market after state gains first DAFF-accredited facility
New Zealand avocados find growth in Asia
Australia remains New Zealand’s top export market, but diversification efforts are paying off
Potatoes and onions take over Australian high school classrooms
New project aims to help young people better understand food production systems
Unlocking trade intelligence for Australian horticulture
Investment into high quality trade data to empower decision-making for industry
Entries open for MOYA 2026
Australasia’s premier marketing award for the fresh produce and floral industries returns in 2026 as part of the Horticulture Awards for Excellence
Australian avocado industry deepens Malaysia collaboration
Avocados Australia partners with Monash University Malaysia and UOW Malaysia on nutrition education, culinary innovation and industry engagement
Australian fresh produce exporters cut off from Middle East
Fruit and vegetable exporters face freight freeze as supply chains in the region shut down