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.
Hort left out of energy exemption list as government says it’s ‘watching closely’
Fresh produce businesses will be left to face soaring energy costs alone after further expansion to industrial protection scheme excludes sector
M&S drops prices on 19 veg lines to attract families
Premium retailer has placed 22 lines including brassicas, garlic, courgettes and leeks into either its value or ‘dropped and locked’ ranges and lowered some prices in a bid to entice more family shoppers and double its food business
Cavolo Nero sales up 17 per cent as fibre trend takes off
Sales of popular black kale are up as consumers responds to social media trend to increase fibre intake as a way to improve gut health and manage weight
T&G’s Envy becomes New Zealand’s first billion-dollar apple brand
Major milestone reflects sustained global demand and years of investment in the marketer’s integrated end-to-end apples system
The Watercress Company aims to raise £10k for local charity
Tours and tastings will add a farm angle to community watercress festival that helps raise funds for local charity supporting young people with cancer
Italian apple suppliers express concern over Gulf conflict’s ‘long-term damage’
Industry association Assomela says higher input costs and price inflation could have serious impact on demand for fruit
Florida citrus industry likely to export less in future, admits FCC chairman
Packers remain concerned about future of USDA’s market access programme, as state contends with huge challenges at home and abroad
Tesco trials AI assistant to help people write their shopping lists
UK’s largest supermarket develops AI-powered shopping assistant to offer personalised recipe ideas and automated basket creation
Agriplace rebrands as Simvia as compliance data requirements grow
Software company says change marks evolution from compliance platform to trusted infrastructure for Europe’s consumer goods market
T&G Global explores break-up options amid sale process
Divisions of T&G Fresh could be sold off to different buyers as part of one option under consideration
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Dulcis chimes with retailers during ‘exceptional’ season
Green kiwifruit brand appears to be gaining traction with major retailers across Europe and beyond, as it targets even bigger crop next season
Wood pallet sector faces ‘most challenging conditions’ ahead
New EU regulations, supply constraints, and economic uncertainty were discussed at the recent Timcon general meeting
Fear of price rises and shortages without action
Price increases and potential shortages loom if the government and retailers don’t provide support, UK vegetable growers warn
Belgian potato suppliers eye UK market opportunities
Warnez and The Potato Chef think they can offer something different with their niche varieties and innovative NPD
Keep ‘em peeled: a round-up of April Fools’ day produce pranks
Dole, Eosta, Florette, Del Monte and a whole bunch of Dutch companies put some serious effort into this year’s silliness
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
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