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.
UK-Switzerland FTA to benefit British veg exporters
Broad bean, pea and carrot exports among set to gain from a wide range of new tariff-free access to highly-protected Swiss market
Tesco and M&S bosses to chair Industry Expert Groups in UK Packaging Pact
UK Packaging Pact appoints five new industry leaders to head focus groups as part of pact to transform UK packaging system
Comment: Banana industry should not restrict itself to conventional breeding
Agricultural scientist Professor James Dale considers why gene editing may be the only sensible option to develop a new banana variety with effective disease resistance
The FPJ Big 50 Products: How fresh produce must adapt to a new normal
Waves of overlapping geopolitical conflict and climate extremes are creating tough conditions for fresh produce sales, but it’s clear innovation still pays off, writes Nina Pullman
Change at the top in FPJ Big 50 Products 2026
For the first time since the publication’s inception, the UK’s best-selling fruit or vegetable has changed
NFU open letter calls for future PM to back long-term food system
Well-negotiated EU alignment, workforce security and planning reform among key priorities for farming union
Veg Power 2026 results show power of repetition
Children who participated more than once in the flagship ‘Eat them to defeat them’ campaign ate more veg, new figures have shown
Banana Link remains determined after three decades
Despite a bunch of successes, the UK-based NGO still faces some familiar challenges as it strives for supply chain sustainability
Regenerative farming ‘central to future of UK horticulture’
Regen is moving from concept to commercial reality across the UK sector, as growers and suppliers view soil health as key to resilience and long-term sustainability
Lidl launches summer ‘scavenger’ hunt for fresh produce
A new scheme in select Lidl stores near deprived areas will see kids’ trolleys feature clues to fruit and veg as part of new game to drive engagement and education
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Oregon pear growers face ruin after ‘extremely difficult’ campaign
Combination of psylla infestation, drought, rising costs, labour shortages and trade tensions brings some growers to brink
Mitrofresh expands with new UK distribution centre
Exotic mushroom supplier based in the Netherlands says new UK facility will improve delivery times and strengthen supply chains for British customers
Peruvian asparagus suppliers facing ‘severe’ shortage
Unusual weather patterns linked to El Niño are causing shortage and quality issues set to last weeks
Summer border delays could bring ‘untold disruption’ to Dover
The CEO of the port of Dover has warned fresh produce hauliers could be stuck behind queues of summer tourist traffic as new digital EES checks are set to cause severe hold-ups
Tempestuous season takes toll on South African grape trade
Geopolitical, logistical and climate disruptions all combine to prompt major shakeup in country’s grape export business
Asda launches yellow watermelon
Retailer has won key consumer media coverage for new melon launch, described as ‘must-have’ summer snack
Sainsbury’s AVA Magnum strawberries from ASF prevail in Telegraph taste test
Berries supplied by Angus Soft Fruits praised for dark colour and rich flavour in well-established quality assessment
Steve McVickers joins WB Chambers as commercial director
Former CCO at Fruitist joins leading Kent berry and cherry producer after eight months sailing around the world as part of a Clipper yacht crew
‘Get a variety trial wrong and breeder loses the right, grower loses the upside’
Tomer Biran, a legal consultant specialising in varietal protection, explores the IP pitfalls of trials and the commercialisation of new fresh produce varieties
Love Island’s Farmer Will fronts new mushroom campaign
The EU-funded campaign aims to position mushrooms as a ‘sneaky snack’ for young consumers with ambitions to double consumption by 2030