Markets news from Fresh Produce Journal
Essential stories, analysis and research from UK’s fresh produce markets, with a focus on retail, wholesale, marketing, and consumers.
New Spitalfields Market unveils London’s largest rooftop solar installation
City Corporation switches on £1m solar array in a bid to reduce market’s reliance on grid power
Heat hits shelf-life of Belgian tomatoes
Belgian tomato growers have faced shelf-life issues in recent weeks due to repeated heatwaves, making nearby markets like the UK especially attractive
Aldi launches strawberry deal following heatwave
Sunshine boosts summer crop as discounter seeks to alleviate crop pressure
Driscoll’s first chief communications officer Frances Dillard departs
Executive played pivotal role in transforming Driscoll’s from North American berry business into widely recognised global brand
Marks & Spencer launches exclusive Tiqi seedless grapes
Positioned as an everyday snacking option, Tiqi is sold in 400g grab-and-go pots
RedPop steps up UK marketing with Supergirl partnership
Apple brand targets consumers with wide-reaching summer campaign to strengthen its convenience positioning
Digipal launches bluetooth plastic crates for supply chain tracking
Leading plastic pallet supplier’s new sustainable crates designed to help businesses prioritise speed
New 21-day UK-China shipping route to open in autumn
A new route linking six major Chinese ports with Felixstowe will use the Northern Sea Route through the Arctic to significantly cut transit time for time-sensitive goods
Love British Food partners with Red Tractor
Tie-up aims to combine the reach of both networks ahead of British Food Fortnight to boost support for homegrown produce across both consumers and industry
Frozen fruit sales outpace fresh during heatwave
Frozen fruit sales rose by almost 50 per cent in the last four weeks while shoppers replaced ’cooking with grazing’ to cope with heat and inflation eased for fifth month running, new figures show
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French heatwaves exacerbate drought conditions
Farmers are in survival mode across much of France, as heatwaves and drought continue to hamper production, with low harvests anticipated as a result
Drought expected to shrink English potato yields
Heatwaves and drought conditions are likely to reduce yields and tuber size of the English potato crop, while Scotland could still see average harvest due to higher rainfall
Oddbox rescues 6,000 sunburnt caulis after retailer rejections
Veg box company is seeing increased demand for its buying services as pest damage, cosmetic defects and crop flushes caused by heatwaves leave growers without a market
Staay offers alternative to traditional iceberg lettuce
Extreme summer conditions across Europe are putting pressure on iceberg lettuce supplies, but Staay Food Group believes it has the perfect substitute
Genetic alteration may help tomatoes grow in the cold
Researchers have identified a genetic system that synchronises flower development and fruit formation in tomatoes, with hopes for varieties that can withstand extreme temperatures
Premiumisation ‘key’ to Moroccan tomato sector’s future
Speakers ranging from trade experts to plant breeders explored the main challenges, opportunities and lessons for Morocco’s tomato industry as it targets export growth
Algarve oranges set the standard on taste
The heat may be a continuous concern for Portuguese producers, but so is the challenge of getting consumers to look beyond the minor blemishes to get to the taste of Algarve’s top-quality oranges
Ocado promotes Martha Springham to head of fresh
Her new remit includes responsibility for fresh, chilled and bakery as Ocado advertises for new trading manager for fresh produce category
Branston funds summer cookery classes for kids
Support for summer holiday clubs in Lincolnshire helps replace free school meals and teach basic cooking skills
Claire Donovan to replace Ali Capper as BAPL’s executive chair
Experienced fresh produce leader to join topfruit industry body in September ahead of planned leadership transition