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.
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
Lidl expands food waste partnership to nearly 200 UK stores
Discounter’s partnership with giving platform Neighbourly and food-sharing app Olio aims to save 5,000 tonnes of food
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RedPop brings ‘Snack Me’ spirit to summer
Campaign reaffirms the brand’s status as a convenient, sweet and tasty apple to take with you wherever you go
Moulton Bulb and IPP see onion volumes double in five years
IPP has been supplying sustainable wooden pallets to UK grower Moulton Bulb since 2008, but only in recent years have volumes soared to 120,000 pallets a year
FPC launches new action pack to help sector reach MPs
Email templates expressing the risks to produce imports from the rest of the world under the new EU-UK reset deal are available at the new hub, along with a petition signed by kitchen staff and catering suppliers to protect diversity of sourcing
91 per cent believe UK food system risk has increased
IGD survey ranks risks to UK food system, helping businesses focus on the ones most likely to affect their ability to maintain supply, manage costs and serve consumers
DP World to take over six grocery depots from GXO Logistics
Sites serving Asda, Sainsbury’s and Co-op add two million square feet of warehouse capacity to logistics company’s UK network
Fyffes bananas strengthen brand awareness
Fyffes says UK consumers are responding to its continued investment in brand-building, including “an emotional message and contemporary marketing”, as aided brand awareness rises to 79 per cent
Taiwanese exporters target UK market with premium fruit
Suppliers set out ambitions for fruit exports to UK at NCGM tasting event, following first shipments of lychees and mangoes in July
Tesco hails ‘melon mania’ as heatwaves drive demand
Total melon sales up by a third as UK’s biggest grocer expands range with new Waikiki variety
Paranova unveils £20mn investment in new fibre-focused facility
Sustainable packaging manufacturer’s investment will enable expansion of fibre-based operations to meet growing demand
Cherries provide cheer for UK growers
UK cherry sales have risen in both volume and value over the past year, with producers optimistic about the category’s future