Carl Collen
Carl Collen is deputy editor of Eurofruit, news editor of Americafruit and news journalist on Asiafruit. He joined the Market Intelligence team in May 2007, having studied broadcast journalism at university.
Since joining the company, Carl has reported extensively on news developments all along the international fresh produce supply chain, travelling from Berlin to Brazil in search of the latest stories from the world of fresh produce.
Contact info
- Tel:
- +44 20 7501 3703
- Fax:
- +44 20 7501 0306
- Email:
- carl@fruitnet.com
NewsPhilippe Binard highlights European strawberry production decline despite €2.7bn market value
European strawberry production has declined 13 per cent over the past decade despite representing a €2.7bn market, with cultivation now covering 74,000ha, Freshfel Europe’s Philippe Binard told the International Strawberry Conference
NewsGenesis Fresh eyes global expansion despite labour shortages
Polish exporter Genesis Fresh is preparing for a larger apple crop this season while navigating climate uncertainties and labour shortages
NewsCoveris partners with Tipa for UK compostable produce labels
Coveris and Tipa Compostable Packaging have formed an exclusive partnership to manufacture and market compostable labels for fresh produce in the UK, responding to increasing market demand and tightening regulatory requirements for produce sticker compostability
NewsFall Creek names Marc de Beer new CEO
Blueberry genetics specialist Fall Creek Farm & Nursery has appointed Marc de Beer as chief executive officer, bringing two decades of leadership experience in animal nutrition and genetics to drive the company’s next phase of global growth
NewsPlant Sciences Genetics expands global berry breeding operations
California-based Plant Sciences Genetics has quadrupled its EMEA operations over the past decade through strategic partnerships and key berry commercialisation, with plans to launch new raspberry varieties across Europe and Africa in 2026
NewsFreshfel questions EU’s ‘boosted’ budget and ‘Buy European Food’ campaign rebrand
The European fresh produce association has reached out to Commission president Ursula von der Leyen seeking clarity on promotion funding and expressing concerns about the rebranding of EU campaign messaging
NewsSofrupak to launch ‘smart’ berry packaging with NFC chip
Adam Sikorski of Polish packaging specialist Sofrupak says the group is set to introduce innovative ‘smart’ packaging with NFC chip technology for the 2026 season, enabling product tracking from field to shelf in line with upcoming EU Digital Product Passport regulations
NewsFyffes guarantees banana supply despite industry challenges
The fresh produce company is working with long-term suppliers to ensure uninterrupted deliveries of premium quality bananas despite severe industry pressures
NewsSpanish fresh produce consumption dips 1 per cent in early 2025
Total household consumption of fresh produce in Spain reached 2.74mn tonnes during January-May 2025, representing a 1 per cent year-on-year decline, according to data processed by Fepex
NewsIFPA backs White House nutrition report to boost produce consumption
The International Fresh Produce Association has welcomed the second report from the White House’s Make America Healthy Again Commission, emphasising that fruits and vegetables are essential to improving national health outcomes
NewsCosta Rican banana exports fall 20 per cent amid climate challenges
Corbana reports significant decline in banana exports as excessive rainfall and disease pressure impact production across Costa Rica’s Caribbean region
NewsDP World launches Morocco-UK-Europe service to cut fruit export times
A new shipping service connecting Morocco with the UK and North Europe will reduce fruit and vegetable export times by up to two days, offering better quality produce at lower costs with a significantly reduced carbon footprint
NewsFresh Del Monte launches Uruguayan oranges in European markets
The first shipments of Del Monte-branded oranges from Uruguay’s Salto region are set to be distributed across Europe next week, strengthening the company’s year-round fresh fruit supply strategy
NewsIBO launches BlueCareers platform for blueberry industry recruitment
The International Blueberry Organization has created a specialised recruitment platform to connect employers with qualified professionals across the global blueberry sector
NewsSpanish fruit and veg exports to EU rise 1 per cent
Germany and France lead growth in Spanish fresh produce shipments, while non-EU exports decline by 5 per cent
NewsFreshfel slams “asymmetric” EU-US trade deal for fresh produce
The European fresh produce association has voiced strong opposition to what it describes as an unfair trade agreement that removes tariffs for US exporters while maintaining significant barriers for EU producers
NewsMission Produce to showcase avocado programmes at Asia Fruit Logistica
The avocado specialist will present its diversified sourcing strategy and ripening expertise as supply transitions from Peru to Mexico, New Zealand and Chile
NewsSpain sees growth in fresh produce imports in H1 2025
Fresh fruit and vegetable imports to Spain increased significantly during the first half of 2025, with volumes up 9 per cent to 2.4mn tonnes and value rising 14 per cent to €2.956bn.
NewsVidre+ technology extends shelf-life of cherries, study finds
A new study from the University of Life Sciences in Poland has demonstrated that Fresh Inset’s Vidre+ technology can significantly extend the shelf-life of cherries, with treated fruit maintaining quality for up to nine days longer than untreated samples
NewsGP Graders launches industry-first sanitary blueberry sorting machine
Post-harvest technology specialist GP Graders has released a new fully sanitary-designed sorting and grading machine specifically engineered for blueberries, featuring dry-handling technology and advanced defect detection