Less than two weeks to go to Fruitnet Tropicals Congress!
Join thought leaders from all parts of the tropicals and exotics supply chain in Antwerp on 24 & 25 June
‘Dates have bags of potential as healthy snacking trend continues’
Comment: Sweet but stacked with health benefits, dates are perfectly positioned to capitalise on rising UK demand for ‘mindful snacking’
Jazz Apple summer tour aims to reach new audiences
Apple brand will travel to Bournemouth, Yorkshire and Bath as part of a summer sampling tour while a new mascot launch will promote Jazz Snackers mini apples
Co-op marks UK tomato season with three new lines
Sugardrop and Piccolo added to premium range alongside a new grower-chosen flexi pack as retailer marks the start of British season
Karniel and Giumarra families announce launch of Grapa Global
Move sets in motion a five-year plan to accelerate the growth and innovation of the Arra Breeding Programme
EU has a taste for Moroccan fresh produce
The value and volume of EU fruit and vegetable imports from Morocco climbed in the opening quarter of 2025
Lidl invites festival-goers to help ‘Drop the Beet’
Promotional events at leading Dutch music gatherings aim to communicate enjoyment aspect of fresh fruit and veg
‘Culture and commitment’: Panellists share tips on avoiding exploitation
Panellists at a session on seasonal labour at Festival of Fresh discussed how to prevent exploitation, newspaper coverage and the outlook for recruitment
Riverford grows peat-free mushrooms in industry first
Organic veg box company has raised prices to cover growing chestnuts and portobellos on a peat-free substrate, as trials on lettuce and tomatoes continue
SkyTree wins GreenTech product innovation award
SkyTree picked up the Innovation Award for its SkyTree Stratus product at this month’s GreenTech exhibition in Amsterdam
SanLucar expands presence in France
Acquisition of major stake of Buonanno lays foundations for further growth in the country
Planasa debuts new raspberry variety
Breeder presented Pink Hudson and Pink Loira at the fourth edition of its Genetics Forum
Sustainability schemes and green packaging top agenda at Sustainable Foods Summit
Sustainable Foods Summit is back in Amsterdam on 26-27 June, with a focus on sustainability schemes and eco-labels, as well as environmentally friendly packaging solutions
Fairtrade International releases Annual Report
Report showcases the organisation’s progress despite uncertain economic conditions, climate change and geopolitical risks
Defra budget cut by 2.7 per cent at Spending Review
AI, energy and R&D among the winners at Rachel Reeves’ Spending Review, while overall funding at Defra will be cut back
TikTok ‘snack hacks’ spike sales of pomegranate
Pomegranate seeds are outperforming prepared fruit sales thanks to viral social media recipe hits with chocolate chips, cucumber and halloumi
Vog powers up Giga sales with Superman tie-in
Apple brand set to feature iconic S-Shield in supermarkets and cinemans as new DC Studios film hits big screen
Picotas primed for positive season
Expectations are running high as the Jerte Valley gears up for the start of the 2025 cherry campaign
Coming soon: Fresh Focus Apple & Pear 2025
Fruitnet’s special annual publication celebrates the very best innovations and commercial success stories in the apple and pear business
British consumers “confused” by packaging recycling
Research by Aquapak shows that consumers are unsure despite the introduction of extended producer responsibility
Fruitbox 114 · Wyard Stomp, Driscoll’s of EMEA
Berry brand’s Europe, Middle East and Africa managing director shares his thoughts on how to grow the category
Coming soon: Fresh Focus Avocado 2025
Fruitnet’s special annual publication promotes the very best of the avocado business to an international audience of buyers and importers
EU deal ‘won’t begin until 2027’, says NFU president
In a wide-ranging interview on stage at Festival of Fresh, Tom Bradshaw covered trade deals, PO funding, energy costs and how food and farming policies will affect fresh produce
Sollum and Optimal look to advance AI greenhouse control
The companies combine dynamic lighting and AI climate control as they aim to create more precise controlled environment agriculture
Robot-friendly strawberry picks up Superior Taste Award
Production of premium variety Inspire set to double in 2025, according to Dutch brand owner The Greenery
NCGM unveils 'garden wall' to celebrate heritage
The ‘garden wall’ unveiling ceremony was attended by traders, MPs and friends of NCGM, with plaques commemorating individuals and organisations linked with the market as part of its 50th anniversary celebrations
Slovenian company targets year-round lettuce supply
Panvita’s collaboration with Rijk Zwaan is set to produce its first crop this month, as demand for local, 12-month supply continues to grow
Fepex calls Moroccan tomato entry prices “obsolete”
As exports to Spain rise, Fepex says the tomato entry prices established in the EU Association Agreement with Morocco have not fulfilled their function
Dole teams up with AgriSound to launch pollination study
The UK pilot-study aims to support smarter research and development for fruit production
‘Berries should be fun’: Angus Soft Fruits launches brand refresh
Significant investment and theatrical marketing strategy behind Good Natured Berries aims to ‘shake up the berry aisle with joyful shelf appeal’
BerryWorld scoops awards for premium varieties
Premium BerryWorld varieties picked up multiple awards at the 2025 Superior Taste Awards in Brussels
Lineage confirms expansion of Dutch coldstore
Fully automated development set to boost capacity by 40 per cent, making Bergen op Zoom one of group’s largest facilities
BayWa secures court approval for restructuring plan
Company’s plan was already underway, with new loans secured until end of 2028, but legal backing now in place
Demand grows for Zawadi raspberries
Retail enthusiasm in the UK and beyond fuels Mediterranean ramp-up of Zawadi raspberry plantings, with more than 140ha projected this year
Festival of Fresh crowns 2025 award winners
Outstanding companies and individuals collect their trophies at showpiece event in Spalding
Registrations open for Prognosfruit 2025
This year’s event will take place in Angers, France, on 6-8 August