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.

GEN apple orchard harvest automation AdobeStock_1495772511

Survey: AI and automation in fresh produce supply chains

2025-07-25T11:01:00+01:00By

Fruitnet reaches out to fruit and veg business professionals to investigate current and future impact of groundbreaking new technologies

GB Tesco free fruit kids

Tesco revamps 5-a-day campaign to boost fruit and veg sales

2025-07-24T14:53:00+01:00By

The UK’s largest food retailer unveils new initiative that rewards customers with Clubcard points for purchasing fresh produce, as it aims to address declining fruit and vegetable consumption nationwide

Carla San Martin Burneo

Blueberry supplier Family Tree Farms expands EU and UK sales teams

2025-07-24T11:31:00+01:00By

Both Carla San Martin Burneo and Chris Taylor bring extensive experience in soft fruit sales as producer continues to supply top European retailers with premium blueberries

Sinclair compostable label

Small label, big shift, urges Sinclair

2025-07-23T09:25:00+01:00By

Sinclair says a “small yet powerful” innovation like the compostable label is a good example of how “even a fruit sticker can help build a circular economy”

Ava Star strawberry

Norfolk grower gets 70 per cent of profit from PYO

2025-07-23T09:00:00+01:00By

Berry and asparagus producer in Norfolk says majority of profit comes from PYO crops due to no labour input costs

Food prices are now the top concern for UK shoppers, according to the latest IGD Viewpoint report

UK food inflation to peak at 5.1 per cent in 2025, IGD warns

2025-07-22T15:41:00+01:00By

Retail food inflation expected to outpace general inflation, averaging four per cent in 2025, up from previous forecast of 3.4 per cent

UK Agrial Florette lettuce

Florette sticks to its fresh promise

2025-07-22T14:46:00+01:00By

The UK salad specialist’s “Guarantee of Freshness” speaks to the importance of freshness for salad consumers, while its new product launches look to add some spice to the category

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Primary schoolchildren move into fresh produce supply

2025-07-22T14:46:00+01:00By

Pupils at a Hampshire school are selling fruit and veg from their allotment to local restaurants and shops

The report urges importers to prepare for increasingly frequent extreme weather events in supply regions

Food security report exposes climate change risks for UK importers

2025-07-22T12:26:00+01:00By

Study urges suppliers to take action to avoid empty shelves, with half of UK fruit and veg imports facing severe climate threats by 2050

Urban Farm it mushrooms

New mushroom farm opens on distribution site

2025-07-18T16:13:00+01:00By

The seven-tonne capacity farm is set to open under new partnership between mushroom producer Urban Farm-It and logistics provider Oakland International

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M&S seedless lemons

M&S launches seedless lemons

2025-07-18T15:41:00+01:00By

The launch in 200 M&S Food stores comes after a successful rollout in the retailer’s Food Halls and aims to remove consumer annoyance with lemon pips

South Africa US trade disruption Adobe Stock AI

US tariffs force South African fruit exporters to rethink strategy

2025-07-18T14:53:00+01:00By

South African fruit exporters are preparing for significant market disruption as impending US tariffs force a strategic pivot toward alternative destinations in Europe, the Middle East and Asia

US Johnny Barnes North Carolina Sweetpotato

Sweet potato industry pays tribute to Johnny Barnes

2025-07-18T11:51:00+01:00

US agriculture sector mourns loss of Johnny Barnes, founder of the American Sweet Potato Marketing Institute and pioneering figure in North Carolina agriculture, who has died aged 61

BOOM Awards 2025_Soil Association Certification_no credit (8)

BOOM awards recognise best in organic

2025-07-16T15:20:00+01:00By

Riverford’s Valor potatoes and Isle of Wight tomatoes were recognised in the annual awards, alongside a software company helping new veg box start-ups

BR Petrolina Jailson Lira Guilherme Coelho Abrafrutas

US tariff plan leaves Brazilian mango and grape producers reeling

2025-07-16T10:19:00+01:00By

With the country’s mango and grape harvests just days away, producers are scrambling for solutions after the US announced a 50 per cent import tariff starting August 1, potentially diverting fruit to other markets