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?
Aldi to cut food waste with crownless pineapple trial
The UK discounter will remove and recycle pineapple crown prior to sale
Eden Research closes in on new bioinsecticide
Products shows strong efficacy against all life stages of key pests in lab and field trials
BioFirst appoints Bart Sosef as president of plant products
The group said it was confident Sosef’s “extensive experience and innovative vision” would drive the division to new heights
Fairtrade International elects new board members
Eight members elected at the organisation’s recent AGM
Sanifrutta bets on new club apple variety
Lilibet, an early bicoloured variety developed by Italian group CIV, is described as easy to grow, excellent in terms of shelf-life, and great to eat
Superplum introduces ready-to-eat mangoes
Carbide-free ripening technique ensures safe and reliably ripe mango offering
Fresh Direct unveils plastic-free avocado packaging
The new paper-based, co-branded packaging has been developed by Westfalia Fruit
Rijk Zwaan beefs up berry breeding business
New facility in the Dutch soft fruit heartland around Breda promises to enhance breeding company’s berry R&D potential
New Zealand government assists UK farmers in new campaign
New Zealand government initiative aims to raise awareness of country’s highly innovative agritech sector and support UK farmers as they transition to environmentally based support payments post-Brexit
Significant growth in regenerative agriculture globally, report finds
Regenagri CEO says “certified farms have achieved a remarkable positive impact” in the last year
Leaf extends its reach to Eastern Ghats
Indian agricultural company aims to foster sustainable livelihoods for 5m smallholder farmers
Aldi trials plastic-free packaging on bananas
The initiative aims to save an estimated 234 tonnes of plastic packaging per year
New online platform launched to market surplus fresh produce
Ample Marketplace supports UK growers to make the most of their crop and tackle food waste
Sicilian producers in ‘race against time’ as drought continues
Situation is extreme for region’s fruit and vegetable producers, with around half the island said to be at serious risk of desertification
Cooperatives BelOrta and The Greenery explore collaboration
The European cooperatives are aiming for optimal product availability, better value for growers and greater flexibility, with the establishment of a Union of Producer Organisations considered the first step
Production in tandem with nature
Honeybees and pollination are highlighted as crucial sustainability practices in new Hortgro report
Industry leaders discuss sustainable agriculture and net-zero efforts
The final panel of this year’s Festival of Fresh saw industry leaders talk tech innovation, productivity and profitability
Comment: Sustainability is no longer an optional extra
Agrifood companies are well used to tracking key performance indicators. The reality is they now need to monitor sustainability performance closely too
Greek producers contend with climate, labour and commercial challenges
Cost inflation and unpredictable market demand have made it even more difficult for fruit producers in the Greek region of Thessaly to maintain their business
Copefrut releases second Sustainability Report
Highlights include achieving the first carbon-neutral fruit in South America
Fairtrade releases 2023 annual report
’Driving the fairness agenda’ highlights the achievements of the Fairtrade system and showcases progress on key issues
Superplum lychee season begins
Sulphitation-free lychees available in Bengaluru, Delhi NCR and Mumbai
Melons Australia research project highlights health credentials
Project with Foodiq identifies health benefits associated with melon category’s broad spectrum of colours
Brakes rewarded for sustainability training programme
Foodservice supplier wins Footprint Award for training programme to help customers become more sustainable
SanLucar wins environmental impact award in Tunisia
Company praised for its efforts to minimise the environmental impact of its tomato and berry farms
Kalfresh supports healthy eating campaign to promote consumption
Queensland carrot grower targets families with lunchbox-friendly snack range of pre-cut and shredded carrots
Zespri launches global healthy eating campaign in Japan
Initiative is focused on improving health outcomes by encouraging people to swap out one unhealthy food for a serving of fresh produce every day
Cool weather creates shortfall in UK strawberry supply
Low temperatures at start of June lead to gaps on supermarket shelves, but growers expect volumes to match rising demand for Wimbledon fortnight
NFU Cymru opens applications for Sustainable Agriculture Award
The award seeks to champion outstanding examples of sustainable farming in Wales
Record turnover for Blue Whale
Candine enjoys strong growth in Asia and French Pink Lady sales climb 30 per cent globally
DP World wins Port Company of the Year for second time
Port operator recognised for opening new berth at London Gateway and pioneering switch to rail freight at Southampton
Fresh Direct launches new British produce lines in time for summer
The 50 new lines include Isle of Wight heirloom tomatoes and British sweetcorn
Chiquita plans to appeal US court verdict on Colombia killings
Fruit supplier maintains its payments to AUC were the result of extortion, not collusion, after Florida jury demands damages be paid
Chiquita must pay US$38m to families of Colombia paramilitary victims
Court ruling says multinational fruit marketer “knowingly” paid the terrorist organisation AUC, which was found responsible for eight killings
Fruitbox 106 · Desmond Jas, Olympic Fruit
Chris and Desmond discuss the development of new strategies that drive success in the fresh produce industry
Coles announces new Nurture Fund recipients
More than A$3.7m in grants to nine Australian businesses to implement sustainability plans