Retail
Fruitnet’s coverage of key developments in the fresh produce retail arena.
Aldi hits British supplier spend target a year early
Discounter says it invested £14bn with UK businesses in 2024
Kantar announces major expansion of UK grocery panel
Data expert says expansion will bring even greater visibility to shopper behaviour
Fresh Produce India Awards: winners announced
KPN Farm Fresh, World Avocado Organisation and Sahyadri Farms scoop the inaugural Fresh Produce India Awards
Big names announced for Festival of Fresh 2025
Key figures in production, retail, wholesale and sustainability confirmed in first wave of Festival of Fresh speakers
Tesco and Aldi vie for British apple sales crown as Asda improves
British Apples & Pears figures for the past six months reveal some impressive retailer performances
Partnership brings organic Tatayoyo to Austria year-round
Grower Veganis teams with an Austrian retailer to bring the pepper to the latter’s premium organic range
Promotions in vogue as household budgets tighten
Kantar figures show supermarkets responding to budget pressure with more price cuts
Coming soon: FPJ Mediterranean Special
FPJ’s Mediterranean Special explores the big challenges and opportunities facing suppliers in the region, including climate change and new varieties
DFI Retail Group divests Singaporean supermarket business including Cold Storage and Giant
Buyer, South-East Asian retail group Macrovalue, already operates Giant and Cold Storage brands in Malaysia.
Challenges force fresh produce operators to consider future
Global Coalition of Fresh Produce report on price and value chains finds 70 per cent of operators are thinking of exiting the industry within the next two to three years
Red Tractor commits farm assurance scheme to wide-ranging improvements
The food assurance scheme promises significant improvements following publication of the Farm Assurance Review
Spar sells Trudi’s bananas in UK first
Retailer’s primary wholesaler James Hall & Co says premium-branded fruit has boosted sales following shift in consumer demand
New Belgian campaign targets growth in Norway and UK
Vlam has unveiled a three-year project designed to raise awareness of Belgium’s premium quality fruit and vegetables
Genesis Fresh and TEO launch premium mandarins
Groups say the introduction of Havva and Sigal marks the next chapter of the Volcani Project and extends the Orri mandarin campaign
Zespri’s red-fleshed kiwifruit back in stores
Largest-ever crop means RubyRed will be sold in markets throughout the Asia-Pacific region, as well as the US
Australian avocado season kicks off with launch event in Malaysia
Shepard avocado crop opens 2025 season with Hass avocados expected in April
Sakata gets closer to the customer
Matthieu Maxant, chief operating officer at Sakata Vegetables Europe, outlines how the seed company’s customer-centric approach is driving its innovative breeding programmes
Food banks ‘forced to dispose of retailer food waste’
New research by environmental charity exposes stark reality of food redistribution in the UK
Dole launches Exotic Selection Ataulfo mango across EMEA
Group says the mango offers “an unparalleled balance of sweetness and creaminess” to global and pan-European supply chains
Vanguard, Bloom Fresh and SHB Group partner on Indonesian Ivory promotion
Table grape leaders host series of tastings for the Peruvian-grown premium fruit
Sassy apples hit South African shelves
New Zealand-developed variety is lighting up South African stores as consumers are introduced to the apple’s ‘new zing’
RedPop apples set to double production by 2028
Italian marketer Vog says it sees excellent opportunities for snack apple brand in Europe and Asia
Greenyard launches Sligro partnership
Belgian group says it will become the supplier of fresh potatoes, fruit and vegetables to all Sligro stores in the country
ACCC supermarket inquiry recommends 20 reforms to support consumers and suppliers
Australian competition regulator suggests changes including clearer pricing practices, greater transparency for suppliers
Expanded Lidl schools programme puts fruit and veg centre stage
Supermarket is investing in educating children about healthy fresh produce
Registrations open for Fresh Produce Vietnam
Join leading suppliers, buyers and retailers to explore opportunities in the booming Vietnam market
Urban Farm-It’s Lion’s Mane mushrooms roar onto Sainsbury’s shelves
Kent-grown product is pitched as an ideal ingredient for plant-based cooking
EFRA urges Westminster to protect farmer income
Government must do more to protect farmer income and preserve fairness in UK supply chain, says House of Commons committee
Government policy threatens domestic production, BAPL warns
Incoming wage cost hikes and future inheritance tax changes are damaging domestic production and will hurt consumers, according to apple and pear growers
Kaufland once again in the firing line over banana pricing
Group of Latin American banana industry associations say retailer has abandoned its commitments on sustainable and ethical supply
Aldi marks Food Action Waste Week with two-pronged campaign
Aldi gives shoppers chance to win a year’s supply of Too Good to Go Surprise Bags and teams up with Lagomchef in its bid to cut food waste
Heartland Fruit wins Foodstuffs South Island Fresh Partnership Award
Award honours 20-year relationship supplying daily Luv’ya apples
Berry business bursting with potential
Fruitnet Berry Congress hears how there’s plenty of room for growth in the category – but better marketing is key
Waitrose unveils £500k fund to help farmers towards net zero
Cash will help the retailer’s British suppliers invest in low-carbon projects
Morocco and France to sign deal to ensure fair tomato competition
The two countries are reportedly close to reaching a bilateral agreement to guarantee fair competition on the French tomato market following a spate of violent attacks on trucks carrying Moroccan produce
Belgian strawberry suppliers mark start of new season
The strawberry campaign is kicking off in Belgium, with the first sale of the season by BelOrta growers Colembie and Colemberry, and a day of activities planned by Hoogstraten