Latest news stories from Produce Plus
News updates for the fresh produce business in Australia and New Zealand.
Australian Citrus Congress charts industry future
Australian Citrus Congress provides practical pathways for future growth as industry excellence recognised in Adelaide
Mackays Marketing leases Melbourne ripening facility for tropical fruit
The grower-backed business has secured a 17-room facility in Epping to support its core banana and avocado programmes
Positive global demand drives strong start to T&G’s apple season
Company reports on smooth transition from Northern to Southern Hemisphere Jazz and Envy apples
LeaderBrand integrates Laser Weeder into salad leaf production
New Zealand vegetable producer becomes first in the region to use the technology at this scale
Japan and Australia strengthen horticulture ties through new knowledge exchange
Hort Innovation initiative launched in early March with Shared Table Gala Dinner with industry, government and research representatives from both countries
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
T&G Global appoints Goldman Sachs to assist with sale
Goldman Sachs to aid BayWa AG’s plans to sell majority shareholding in New Zealand-based fruit business
McCain and Heinz Wattie’s close New Zealand vegetable processing facilities
McCain to close Hastings plant by January 2027 while Heinz Wattie’s closes four sites across the country
Zespri issues first 2026/27 guidance with strong harvest underway
New Zealand kiwifruit marketer provides early season forecast with returns expected at similar levels to 2025
Australian vegetable supply at risk from input shortages and cost increases
Nearly one-third of growers have cut planting schedules because of the supply chain disruption caused by the Middle East conflict
Montague Farms’ Ambrosia and Kissabel apples hit Australian shelves
New season of distinct apples available to Australian consumers
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Fresh produce tariffs cut as Australia and EU finalise FTA
Fresh trade opportunities on offer for exporters of both markets as negotiations on new FTA conclude
New Zealand vegetable industry bodies unify to launch new representative council NZVeg
Refined industry structure will build on existing organisations to represent the vegetable industry better
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, transitioning 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
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