Retail
Fruitnet’s coverage of key developments in the fresh produce retail arena.
Lunar New Year edition of Asiafruit out now
Lunar New Year coverage, a special feature on Australia and a keynote interview with Guangzhou Jiangnan market chairman, Ye Canjiang in celebration of the wholesaler’s 30th anniversary headline this issue
Tasmanian cherry season underway
First boxes of Tasmanian cherries are now available across the state as exporters prepare for international sales
Video: Sawari puts down local roots with Dutch ginger supply
Sawari Fresh has made its name as a garlic and ginger importer. Now it wants to develop local ginger production in Europe
Fruitbox 112 · Daniel Sauvaitre, Interfel
Chris and Daniel look at global trade policy and its impact on the fruit and vegetable business
Fresh Del Monte builds on its 'pillars of strength'
Gianpaolo Renino, senior vice-president of Fresh Del Monte Europe and Africa, outlines the key products and strategies that will support the company’s year ahead
Produce Plus Summer out now
Scott Montague discusses the next chapter for Montague Farms and Australia’s berry category is in the spotlight ahead of BerryQuest 2025. Plus, features on summer favourites mangoes and stonefruit
BAPL issues apple and pear inflation warning
Analysis estimates significant increase in production costs and retail prices following changes to national living wage and national insurance
UK supermarkets announce 15p Christmas veg deals
Five of UK’s top grocers announce deep promotions on festive veg lines in week before Christmas Day
Chestnuts coasting on the local market
New brand secures deal with Coop Italia for its northern Italian production as volumes return to historical level
JD Super celebrates start of Chilean cherry season in China
Chinese retailer aims to sell Rmb5bn of Chilean products over three years with strategic cooperation agreement
Season’s first South African stonefruit arrives in India
This year’s campaign will include retail promotions and various consumer engagement activities
Festival of Fresh 2025 partners with Worldwide Fruit
Worldwide Fruit will host tours of its state-of-the-art packhouse, as UK’s leading fresh produce event heads to Spalding, Lincolnshire on 5 June
Albertsons sues Kroger after merger plan falls apart
Two of the largest supermarket chains in the US had planned to merge. Now they are caught in a bitter legal dispute
Supermarket tills ring out in countdown to Christmas
December retail sales are forecast to exceed £13 billion for the first time ever as shoppers count down to Christmas
British Pink Lady apples return to supermarket shelves
Producers “very confident” about fruit quality and hopeful of high percentage pack-out after “perfect” harvest conditions
Ahold Delhaize gets Romanian green light
Group gets approval for the acquisition of Profi, more than a year after it first announced its intention to move for the retailer
Fruitnet Tomato Congress heads to Malaga, Spain, in 2025
The tomato category’s leading event, Fruitnet Tomato Congress, is back on 11-12 November 2025 at a new location in Malaga, close to one of Spain’s primary tomato production areas
Box Divvy connects tomato growers directly with consumers
Modern cooperative supports Australian growers through truss oversupply, paying up to double the market price
France prepares for apple marketing push in India
A new campaign backed by Interfel aims to highlight the quality of French apples, including red-fleshed variety Kissabel
Agenda announced for Fresh Produce India 2025
Quick-commerce revolution, India’s rise as a producer of new fruits, and game-changing technologies among key topics in focus at premier industry event
‘Sad’ bananas motivate shoppers to reduce food waste, research indicates
A study from the UK’s University of Bath has shown how labelling lone bananas as ‘sad singles’ increases consumer empathy, boosting sales by 58 per cent
ZZ2 scoops Shoprite supplier of the year award
Retailer praises company for ability to deliver “exceptional produce” including tomatoes, avocados, cherries, apples and pears
Morrisons offers farmers 25 per cent discount in cafés
Supermarket is also working with Len’s Light to encourage farmers to socialise
Edeka’s new distribution hub set to double fruit and veg volume
Leading German grocery retailer has invested more than €60mn to build a brand new handling and ripening centre for imported fresh produce
Egyptian citrus lands in India marking the start of the season
IG International celebrates with ceremonial opening of the first container of fresh grapefruit and lemons
Belgian Conference pears make inroads in Brazil
The vast Brazilian market has traditionally been dominated by pears from Portugal and Argentina, but the Belgian Conference is now winning over consumers in the country
Tariff tactic runs risk of further inflation, says breeder
Plant Sciences’ Steve Nelson fears impact on winter imports from Mexico will mean a rise in prices for buyers in the US
Sweden’s Ewerman secures breakthrough deal with Engrosfrukt in Norway
Five-year supply agreement marks parent company Greenfood’s first major fruit and veg supply deal in the Norwegian market
North Carolina eyes sweet potato export growth in Europe
The North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission is ramping up production for the UK and other European markets for 2025
Rise of Egypt’s juicing industry likely to impact European citrus market
With issues in the Red Sea disrupting Egyptian exports to Asia, analysts had been predicting a glut of oranges on the European market, but the opening of new juicing facilities in Egypt could significantly ease the pressure
Veg taking centre stage in meat-alternative meals, says Tesco
Supermarket reports a 600,000 increase in veg-led dishes sold in the past year
German trade association forms quality management team
Global Fruit Point’s Thies Claussen and Frutania’s Volker Kötting head up new committee with focus on quality issues
Delayed start leads to positive finish for Darwin mango producers
Red Rich says well-timed rainfall and an organised packhouse turned the season around following a slow start
Consistency key to category growth for Piñata Farms
Piñata Farms sees growth potential for Australia’s berry category, calling on industry to commit to higher quality fruit, improved cold chain processes and a better retail offering
The Place to go for frozen fruit
As demand for frozen fruit grows, Kristian Bayford hears how Place UK has embraced innovation during its 70 years in business to stay ahead of the curve and maximise product quality
Aldi donates thousands of Christmas lunches to low-income areas
Discounter is donating meals through its partnership with surplus food redistributor Company Shop Group