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.
Unilever merges food business with McCormick
Merger will create ‘scaled, global powerhouse of flavour’ with revenues of $20 billion and portfolio of household food brands with vast produce buying power
French supplier Lagache targets European neighbours with new exports division
Lagache FreshCo will focus on supplying the UK and several other European markets, led by former BelOrta sales and marketing director Jo Lambrecht
Easter 4p veg deals criticised as growers face sharp cost increases
Retailer promotions will ‘warp’ price of food in consumer minds, say growers, who face millions in additional standing charges as of today
Keep calm and berry on: Top takeaways from Fruitnet Berry Congress
Mike Knowles and Maura Maxwell are joined by FPJ editor Fred Searle for a berry-themed edition of The Fresh Ideas Show podcast
Defra awards councils £155k to improve public procurement
Five English councils have been awarded government grant funding to increase the health, sustainability and local sourcing of food buying, with an emphasis on fruit, veg and pulses
Aldi joins Easter price war with 4p veg lines
Aldi cuts Easter veg to 4p for key roasting lines and reduces price of roast dinner to under £2 per person
Easter buoys sales but Middle East war set to reduce spend
Retail sales have risen ahead of the key trading period over Easter, but analysts predict shoppers will cut back when faced with rising prices
Ali Capper appointed chair of British Berry Growers
Capper will step down from British Apples and Pears to take over leadership of berry trade body, following retirement of Nick Marston
Fairtrade launches Global Strategy 2026-2028
The non-profit organisation’s three-year plan addresses fair prices, market access and climate adaptation
New campaign to promote European avocados and mangoes
Spanish group Intertropic rolls out €9mn marketing project with EU support, starting in Spain and extending to France, Italy, and the UK
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Licensed apples are ‘priority’ as Vip enjoys club classics
As Cosmic Crisp becomes Europe’s first year-round apple, South Tyrolean association says club varieties are at centre of its commercial plan
Food redistribution rates drop slightly
Food redistribution is increasing as demand continues to grow, with storage facilities and untapped surplus from farms identified as areas of potential growth, according to new Wrap figures
BerryWorld signs up padel’s world number one
Supplier announces Delfi Brea as company’s brand ambassador for 2026, part of a strategy to connect with health-conscious consumers
Monaghan uses dull weather to push Vit-D mushrooms
Monaghan is promoting its UV-enhanced mushrooms to sun-starved Scots after weeks of dull weather as it celebrates 25 years of supply into Asda
Produce prices ‘will rise’ due to Middle East conflict
Wholesalers are reporting shortages of Israeli produce and warn ‘extreme costs’ will be passed on, as inflation is expected to hit homegrown salad veg and retail food prices within six weeks
Labour MP calls for debate on farmer co-ops
A ’co-op shaped food system’ can help keep costs down and strengthen food security, according to Labour MP calling for new debate on how to expand agricultural co-ops in the UK
Brakes takes its chefs and sister companies on the road
Fresh Direct and Country Choice will join parent company Brakes and a raft of development chefs at a series of ‘food expos’ this summer as the foodservice giant takes to the road
Berry business faces up to new challenges as growth continues
Investment in varieties, segmentation, marketing and technology will help build more profitable berry business, delegates heard at Fruitnet Berry Congress
Middle East conflict impacts airfreight options for fresh produce
Some flights have been able to reach Middle Eastern markets to supply fruit and vegetables, but global capacity has dropped as prices rise
Martin Emmett re-elected as NFU Hort chair
Three key re-appointments to the NFU’s Horticulture and Potatoes Board have been confirmed after voting today