Latest news stories from Fresh Produce Journal
News updates for the UK fresh produce business.
Agriculture sector sees large rise in sick leave
Farming industy has seen sick leave rise 44 per cent since 2019
British university project offers AI future for Ghanaian growers
Aston University is working with Tropical Growers to help boost domestic production in Ghana
Blossom heralds early UK cherry deal
Abundant Kent cherry blossom announces possible early start to British season
LettUs Grow takes tech to US and Canada
LettUs Grow and Innovative Growers Equipment announce partnership to bring advanced aeroponic technology to North America
Early start for Zespri as NZ kiwifruit arrives in Europe
Europe and North America director Steven Martina confirms plan for bigger marketing campaign this year as the company targets sale of around 70m trays in Europe
Conversations
Fruitbox 104 · Chris Mack, Fresca Group
Chris Mack of Fresca, one of the oldest established fresh produce businesses in the UK, speaks about the past, present and future of the industry
Fruitbox 102 · Helge Sparsoe, Fyffes
Chris and Helge discuss the new banana consumer brand Trudi’s, and what it means for the future of the Fyffes name
Fruitbox 101 · Alex Garcia-Devis, GlobalGAP
Chris speaks with Alex about the scarcity of water in some of the world’s key production regions, and what this means for the fresh fruit and vegetable industry
How can fruit growers conserve water? Just ask the trees
British apple supplier Adrian Scripps joins trial to evaluate special ‘listening’ technology, which could interpret stress signals in plants and help growers produce more sustainably
B-hive partners with Adrian Scripps to deliver apple data
Agri-tech R&D firm secures funding to carry out 12-month project with apple grower that could cut crop wastage
Tesco adds ‘Best of British’ page to support farmers
Market leader is the latest to launch a page to back domestic producers
SBTi approves Nature’s Pride and Berries Pride climate targets
Climate targets for 2030 cover the reduction of emissions throughout the chain
SPAR South West teams up with FareShare
The food retailer is partnering with FareShare to cut waste and fight hunger in the South West
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Farmers warn of flood threat to food security
Farming unions of England and Wales are calling on governments for more flood-damage support after record-breaking rain hits production
Turbulent times in tomatoes
Cost pressures, supply chain disruption, and the threat of ToBRV are taking their toll on the British tomato sector, but Alex Margerison-Smith of Keelings sees opportunities for innovative growers with a focus on premium varieties
Cold chain body warns of increased food prices due to BTOM
Cold Chain Federation writes to Defra to request delay in new regulations
Comment: Cheap bananas are here to stay
Unless the supply of bananas into European markets can be managed somehow, shippers in Latin America, Africa and the Caribbean will always be at the mercy of retailers.
Growers on wireworm alert after wet weather
Saturated soils could boost risk of wireworm damage in UK potato crops this season, Syngenta warns
Automation drive for Tesco as profits rise
Annual results highlight Tesco’s investment in prices and efficiency
Defra Farming Recovery Fund offers relief as flooding crisis grows
NFU says ministers have been listening and fund is a welcome step
£1.5m boost for Vertical Future as space project gets lift off
UK indoor farming technology could eventually feed humans on the Moon and Mars
New Zealand’s biggest Pink Lady supplier ready for record campaign
As its first new-season apples arrive in Europe, Golden Bay Fruit is set to export more than two million cartons for the first time
Eye-tracking software clocks loose produce shop
Eye-tracking tech is being used to measure loose produce purchases in Waitrose trial