All articles by FPJ Staff – Page 97
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Retailers showcase the full range of summer produce
Watermelons come in a vast range of sizes and shapes. As if to prove the point, a recent TV advertisement by
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ArticleHave melon sales run out of juice?
Melons have hit the mainstream and are no longer considered the luxury exotic that they once were, but how can the sector grow consumption and take the category forward when margins have been squeezed to the point where many are reconsidering their options? Anna Sbuttoni reports
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ArticleFruit industry takes centre stage at East Malling Research
This year’s Fruit Focus pulled in delegates from all corners of the UK soft fruit, topfruit, stonefruit and viticulture industries last week for its biggest event to date. More than 120 companies exhibited at Kent’s East Malling Research site and the Fruit Forums stirred up plenty of debate. Elizabeth O’Keefe rounds up the news
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ArticleNew dawn for Hull wholesalers
Hull Wholesale Market relocated to a brand-new, purpose-built facility at the end of last year, marking a new start for traders. However, the fight to the end game was drawn out, leaving many missed opportunities. Elizabeth O’Keefe paints a picture of a market that is discovering a new lease of life
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ArticleCommunication lets down stonefruit at a promising time
The stonefruit industry is revising the way it forecasts the crop and transmits this information to retailers after a number of opportunities were missed to increase domestic sales. Michael Barker reports on why change was needed
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Retailers’ ambition for more control is clear
The extent to which supermarkets are trying to take more control over their fresh produce supply chains was underlined this
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ArticleIntroducing fresh produce’s next generation
The second wave of trainees graduated the MDS post-graduate course in fresh food and produce management at Harper Adams last week. Michael Barker went along to meet them
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ArticleHungry for fame: Does celebrity endorsement work?
A little bit of glamour and a whole lot of investment spells celebrity endorsement, but are famous faces really working for the fresh produce industry? Anna Sbuttoni examines what high-profile backing has meant for fruit and vegetables and how the sector could do better
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ArticleThe sky is the limit for UK sweetcorn
With solid consumer support for UK sweetcorn, Michael Barker asks what the industry needs to do to take sales to the next level
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ArticleChallenging quarter brings winners and losers
The top-fruit game has proved a mixed bag so far this summer, with some lines prospering while others flounder. Sourcing has proved tricky while retail movement is likely to be slow in the coming months. Alex Lawson reports
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Will consumers be willing to pay higher prices again?
Consumer research is now part and parcel of strategic produce marketing, but in the last few weeks I have had a feeling that
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UK supermarkets think outside fresh produce box
The retail sector has never been short of ideas on how to attract customers and encourage them to buy. Not surprisingly, these
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Next generation shows real promise
I was very privileged last week to attend the MDS graduation event at Harper Adams and spend some time getting to know some of
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ArticleHas the crisis been averted?
As EU regulations banning key pesticides move from proposals to reality, Michael Barker assesses the latest thinking on how much damage it could cause to the industry
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ArticleLabour pains ease but future for supply remains unclear
Labour availability has improved in recent months for the fresh produce sector, but the jitters remain as the industry gets to know the new government. Doris Lee Butterworth reports
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ArticleClearing the production hurdles
UK growers battle a multitude of challenges from day to day, but these can be alleviated by more progressive growing techniques, harvesting equipment, machinery and packaging. Elizabeth O’Keefe looks at the hurdles and how to clear them
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ArticleSouth Africa battles to make citrus comeback in a tight market
All eyes have been on South Africa over the last four weeks as the world tuned in to watch the FIFA World Cup. But behind the millions of visitors, vibrant football colours and now familiar buzz of vuvuzelas, citrus growers and exporters had their work cut out to make the most of a season that has been fraught with difficulties. In fact, the citrus category as a whole has had to face up to a number of challenges over the last three months. Anna Sbuttoni reports