All articles by FPJ Staff – Page 239
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ArticleThe fight to compete
With Spain suffering from some drastically cold temperatures, and despite climatic problems of its own, Morocco has been enjoying higher demand and higher prices from Europe for an increasingly varied selection of produce. The leading exporting countries have invested in production to meet tougher specifications and build relationships with European retailers. However, with the newest EU member countries raising their standards all the time, will Morocco eventually be squeezed out of the market? Elspeth Waters reports.
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ArticleIlapak Carrera 500 corners leek packaging market
Improving productivity and producing top quality packs are important issues for leek producers in today’s increasingly competitive market. But wrapping such awkwardly shaped fresh produce in a difficult, often wet and dirty environment can pose quite a problem.
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Take Swift advice: get an ombudsman
Duncan Swift, head of the food & agribusiness recovery group at leading financial and business adviser Grant Thornton, calls for radical reform of the OFT Supermarket Code of Practice and introduction of a supermarket ombudsman.
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ArticleSchooling an industry
In the second week of our School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme profile, Elspeth Waters talks to some of the leading suppliers and distributors to discover what impact the scheme is having on the fresh produce industry.
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Hot air can still carry substance
If we are to believe the latest research, we should be airfreighting in more of our produce to save the environment. At the
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Time to reflect
Retail shelves reflect how busy category managers and buyers have been plugging the gap caused by the freezing weather in
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PMA Profile
In this month’s profile on the Produce Marketing Association, the US trade association for fruit and vegetables, a
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Let’s get together
Tommy leighton, Editor, Fresh produce JournalAmazingly, already two years have passed since the government launched its 5 A
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ArticleTNA fills out the right forms
In 1986, exiled Scot Alf Taylor was convinced by his soon-to-be wife Nadia that his prototype bag-making machine was sufficiently good to set up in business. From their Australian base, they have established TNA Packaging Systems as one of the most successful manufacturers of vertical form-fill-seal packaging systems in the world. Tommy Leighton visits the company’s European base.
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ArticleCheck out Fairtrade
The advent of Fairtrade Fortnight provides a prime opportunity for insights into a rapidly developing sector. However, behind the scenes the Fairtrade Foundation, along with many retailers and suppliers, is actively promoting the concept on a daily basis in the hope that ethical trading will continue to impact the lives of UK consumers long after the two weeks are up. Elspeth Waters reports.
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ArticlePrice barrier to organic growth
The latest figures from the Soil Association value the global organic food sector at £15 billion, with 24 million hectares of farmland managed to organic standards. Organic food sales in the UK are growing at £2 million a week, but where does fresh produce rank in this growth? Anabella de Sousa reports.
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ArticleA scheme to change lives
In the first week of a month-long profile on the Schools Fruit and Vegetable Scheme Elspeth Waters looks at the governing bodies behind the scheme, its latest developments and the targets in place for the future.
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ArticleLess waste, more speed
The customer is changing fast. Is the flower trade? Perhaps not fast enough, argues Jonathon Read of the Flower Council of Holland, sponsor of this year’s Re:fresh Floral Business of the Year Award.
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Horticulture can now go to the ball
It was good to see the industry punching its weight at the National Farmers Union horticulture conference last week. Certainly
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To vend or not to vend
Reforming the national school system is a habit for every French government. For once this year, the process might have
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Commitment is a two-way street
We regularly hear from suppliers in the pages of the Journal, who want to work more closely with their customers. Indeed they
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ArticleNorth Down relishes recognition
Often forgotten, Northern Ireland blazed its way into the industry’s consciousness by an outstanding performance at last year’s Re:fresh awards. The North Down Group managed to scoop a double success, taking the Capespan Wholesaler of the Year title, while chairman Perry Donaldson took the Inaugural Florette Lifetime Achievement award. Ed Bedington investigates the secret behind the company’s success.
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ArticleAre you exposed to weather risk?
Weather is the oldest risk factor that affected the first agricultural pioneers. Yet many managers have just learned to accept weather uncertainty as a given, and live with its impact on their businesses. However, with a growing weather financial market and a variety of weather services and instruments now available, can you keep blaming it on the weather any longer? Anabella de Sousa reports.
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ArticleMontgomery MBO adds a new focus
Today is the first day of a new era for New Spitalfields wholesaler Montgomery. After 13 years under the ownership of Arthur Hutchinson Ltd, the firm has been bought by the two men who have been responsible for its day-to-day operation for most of its existence. Tommy Leighton talks to Cliff Hart and Jonathan Labrum.
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ArticleIntegration Xtends StePac versatility
StePac, provider of technological post-harvest solutions to the fresh produce industry, will soon be introducing its new revolutionary XIPCMS system into the UK marketplace. Tommy Leighton talks to the company’s global president Israel Ben-Tzur and StePac USA president Don G Stidham about results of initial usage of the system in the US and its potential for European shippers.