Industry analysis from Fresh Produce Journal
Analysis and insight for the UK fresh produce business.
Aubergines offer consumption hope
Efforts to arrest declining vegetable consumption have largely been futile, but the versatile aubergine offers a way to attract a younger audience
Comment: Defra funding has supercharged food redistribution
The £9.2mn in Defra funding has helped us redistribute over a third more surplus produce and allowed growers to cover costs – now it’s time to go up another level, writes FareShare’s head of fresh produce Emma Brown
Comment: Greenhouse tech is often ‘too costly to scale’
Technological complexity and high costs will continue to restrict growth of covered production, especially in the US, says Kubo CEO
Analysis: A new era for appetite
Weight loss medication is transforming the food industry, but how can the fresh produce sector make the most of it?
Food rescue 'the sensible option' with AD plant fees set to soar
Tim O’Malley explains why incoming regulations on household food waste collections will push up the cost of using AD plants, further strengthening the case for diverting surplus produce to organisations like FareShare
Conversations
Fruitbox 117 · Hein Deprez, Greenyard
Greenyard’s founder discusses the company’s recent privatisation and explains why he sees an urgent need to redefine healthy eating
Fruitbox 116 · Mark Landini, Landini Associates
Sydney-based retail consultant explains how supermarkets can reconnect with customers through better design, storytelling, and a renewed focus on food
Fruitbox 115 · Daniel Sauvaitre & Philippe Binard, World Apple & Pear Association
Recorded live at Prognosfruit 2025, the latest episode of Fruitbox brings you instant reaction to this year’s European apple and pear production forecasts
‘Sustainability now a priority for banana consumers’
Caoimhe Buckley, chief corporate affairs officer at Fyffes, tells Fred Searle about the key trends, challenges and opportunities shaping the global banana industry
Egyptian citrus exports up for UK challenge
Demand for Egyptian citrus has seen a surge to the UK market post-Brexit, but competition from EU suppliers is a resurgent threat
Taking control: analysing the FPJ Big 50 Companies 2026
The biggest companies in UK fresh produce supply are doing all they can to make their businesses resilient and ready for growth
Pride and optimism for 2026 after tough year for farming
As 2026 begins, NFU president Tom Bradshaw reflects on the past 12 months and the farming sector’s future in the coming year
Farm Profitability Review shows place for pulses
Roger Vickers, CEO of the Processors & Growers Research Organisation (PGRO), explains why pulses have a bright future following Minette Batters’ milestone report
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Comment: Why compostable fruit labels are the future of fresh produce packaging
The fresh produce industry is turning to certified compostable labels as a strategic response to environmental, regulatory and consumer pressures
IGD warns UK food industry faces "make-or-break" 2026
IGD’s latest Economic Viewpoint report warns that UK food and drink businesses must prepare for a volatile environment in 2026
Analysis: Health will become ‘a lifestyle aim’
Healthy lifestyles, affordability and leadership on sustainabilty among key 2026 trends forecast for UK shoppers and grocery retail, according to IGD
Grow potatoes for your market, not for one that isn’t there
NFU Potato Policy Group chair Tim Rooke stresses the importance of growing potatoes with a clear understanding of your market as climatic conditions become less predictable and production costs increase
Why the Chancellor must rethink inheritance tax
Alex Freudmann, managing director at M&S Food, makes an impassioned plea for change ahead of the Budget
Is the divide in the tomato market destined to widen?
Faced with new challenges, some foresee the increasing commoditisation of fresh tomatoes, despite continued success for premium varieties
Comment: We need fairness and accuracy in race to net zero
Fairmiles programme lead Simon Derrick explains why retailers, NGOs and academics are joining forces
Comment: British farming must transition to regen without delay
James Young of McCain Foods GB calls for cross-sector collaboration and government support to facilitate swift transition to regenerative farming
Bringing back biodiversity through pesticide-free production
Tom Amery, MD of The Watercress Company, describes the grower’s journey to pesticide free and the benefits and challenges it brings
Amazon Fresh store closures call checkout-free tech into question
Comment: Amazon Fresh project demonstrates how rushing into checkout-free technologies without robust testing can be costly and operationally challenging