Sustainability
News and analysis for the international fresh produce business on the theme of sustainability. What is the fruit and vegetable industry doing to protect people, planet, and profit?
Can Veganuary get its veg back?
Harvey Choat, MD of food and drink comms agency Nexus, argues that the 2025 Veganuary campaign risks alienating consumers and should instead focus on a message of ‘plant-more’ rather than ‘meat-less’
New scheme offers farmers rewards for GHG reductions
Soil Association Exchange initiative connects farmers with businesses striving to meet sustainability targets
New app aims to simplify audit burden on growers
AgriAudit helps farmers prepare for multiple audits by consolidating requirements, removing duplicates, and improving efficiency
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
Branston donates two million meals to FareShare
The potato supplier regularly supplies the charity with surplus spuds to create nutritious meals
Korean team develops edible biofilm to extend shelf-life of fruit
Researchers believe the natural polysaccharide-based edible coating can replace synthetic packaging
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
Canadian growers rue ‘missed opportunity’ to boost fruit and veg sector
FVGC says it is disappointed with government’s budget plan, which it says overlooks need for more secure domestic supply
Kuehne & Nagel shortens Spinneys supply chains
Changes to way airflown shipments from London Heathrow are handled have sped up process, says company
The Greenery plans sale of transport arm Dijco to AB Texel
As takeover awaits green light, company plans drive towards more sustainable, outsourced logistics model
Banking sector sees better fortunes for South Africa in 2025
With export markets already diverse, agricultural produce will likely expand in the coming years – mainly due to previously underutilised land
Agroponiente celebrates B Corp accreditation
CEO Imanol Almudí said award echoes company’s philosophy of ‘conscious agriculture’
Termotécnica presents packaging solution to support Brazil’s grape exports to China
Light weight DaColheita solution reduces freight costs and CO₂ emissions
Organic yellow kiwifruit a winner in Italy, Belgium and Greece
It’s Bio campaign sees strong demand growth among consumers who are concerned about health and sustainability
Florida citrus industry fights for survival
FCC chair Steve Johnson says resurgence is possible despite serious impact of weather and disease over past two decades
Farmers get fertiliser support
With a focus on biostimulants and nutritional products, Hydro Fert’s range is designed to improve plant quality and quantity, export manager Francesco Di Pietro explains
VentureFruit appoints Copefrut as exclusive Latin American licence holder for Tutti
Chilean grower-packer-marketer-exporter to license the Hot Climate Partnership variety across the region
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
IFOAM tells EU to “seize the moment” on a sustainable future
European umbrella organisation for organic food and farming publishes EC Vision for Agriculture and Food recommendations
Fyffes launches search to find Ireland’s fittest school
Multinational teams up with Olympian David Gillick for ten-week challenge, now in its fourth year
NGO calls for migrant workers to be documented in Dominican Republic banana sector
Banana Link says country’s banana sector employs around 70,000 Haitian migrants, who currently face the threat of deportation under a government decree
Mann Packing launches Newman’s Own Salad Kits
New partnership between Fresh Del Monte and Newman’s Own “combines quality ingredients and a commitment to children’s wellbeing”
Finnish greenhouse veg sector in fine form, says Delphy
Dutch group reports back from Närpes, where growers have reportedly adapted well to new production challenges
Giacovelli embraces innovation and sustainability
Growing European demand for local grapes is good news for Italian supplier Giacovelli, but climate change continues to transform the way the country’s growers must produce
Vog Products reports on sustainability progress
South Tyrolean company says it has made significant progress towards environmental and ethical development goals
Delphy upgrades and expands its QMS Tomato tool
Growers can now access even better insights thanks to the new version’s fast and efficient data management, says developer
Florida slashes citrus forecast after Hurricane Milton
US state’s orange crop now predicted to be around 12mn boxes, which makes it the smallest crop in around a hundred years
IFPA responds to new dietary guidelines report
IFPA welcomes government recommendation for Americans to increase F&V consumption
Fairtrade International “apprehensive” over Mercosur deal
Fairtrade is concerned that climate and biodiversity are not being accounted for in the European Union’s new trade agreement with Mercosur
DP World helps UK importers cut emissions
The logistics giant launches world’s first container port ’carbon inset programme’ at UK hubs
Fruitbox 111 · Duncan Jones, Sinclair
Duncan talks about Sinclair’s new home-compostable fruit label, described as a “huge step forward” in making fruit and vegetable labelling a 100 per cent sustainable practice
VIP takes on climate change challenge
Varietal development, orchard protection and new processing techniques are yielding positive results
IPD aims to enhance transparency and trust
Through a focus on transparency, quality and long-term partnerships with producers, Import Promotion Desk is helping bridge the gap between smallholders in developing regions and European markets, says IPD’s Thomas Derstadt
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
Fruitmasters and Limgroup unveil seed-bred strawberry brand
Dutch companies launch Sonrosa, a seed-bred berry that reportedly grows in just 16 weeks