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.
Florette launches ‘Essentials’ value tier
First two iceberg lettuce SKUs land in mid-May, with range aimed at shoppers on tighter grocery budgets
NFU urges newly elected councillors to back British farming
Planning, rural crime, rural connectivity and food procurement pinpointed as key areas where local government support would be most impactful
Innovation helping hospitality supply face current pressures
Geopolitical tensions, energy and labour costs are reshaping catering and hospitality supply, and bringing new opportunities, according to Fresh Direct’s Summer Market Review
Scotland drives surge in UK organic farmland
The amount of land dedicated to organic farming in the UK has reached its highest figure in more than a decade, but England and Wales are lagging behind Scotland
Turkish cherry volumes set to recover
This season, Turkish cherry volumes are expected to bounce back in a big way after last year’s frost-bitten campaign
Comment: The £74 banana is a good look for fresh produce
A new campaign designed to expose over-priced cosmetics offers plenty of hope for the fruit and veg business
Campaigners raise funds to save ‘mother of all Bramleys’
The future of the original Bramley tree is at risk as the Nottinghamshire cottage where it grows has been put up for sale
Pink Lady Alliance closes after 25 years of stewardship
The non-profit organisation brought together growers, marketers and licensees from major production regions worldwide
Waitrose and Worldwide Fruit celebrate two decades of Jazz apples
Partners underline commitment to British growers with special promotional campaign to mark variety’s 20 years in UK
Greosn: the fresh produce investment firm driving sustainability at speed
Fred Searle speaks to CEO Matt Jarrett about the fast-rising company’s 10‑year plan to “future‑proof British farming and build long‑term resilience”
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Pink Lady collaborates with Dash Water to reach new shoppers
New apple-flavoured sparkling water will launch at Tesco in June, reflecting “wider opportunities” for premium produce to diversify through brand collaborations
Suppliers urged to prepare for SPS changes
Produce businesses are encouraged to sign up for Defra email alerts and engage with trade bodies ahead of new guidance expected to be released this month
Blue Skies receives King’s Award for Enterprise
Prepped fruit specialist recognised for commitment to sustainable business in prestigious royal honours list
Aldi expects 20 per cent UK blackberry sales uplift
Sweeter varieties are driving demand among UK blackberry consumers as Aldi prepares to launch 100 per cent British range with suppliers including Driscoll’s
Juice brand spends six figures on first campaign
Juice brand Daily Dose, which buys surplus produce from UK farms, has launched its first advertising campaign across out-of-home, digital and in Waitrose stores as it looks to raise UK brand awareness
Rise in weight loss drug use raises concerns
Growing use of GLP-1 weight loss medication in the UK is spurring questions about the risk of increasing health inequities and longer term dangers
French plum production stays steady
Forecast broadly similar to last year’s with production in France’s main growing region set to be 10 per cent below average
‘Switching from plastic to paper packaging can improve shelf life in certain products’
Jeremy Sharp, projects and commercial manager at Produce Packaging, discusses the benefits of carton board and the firm’s recent advances in berry packaging
Del Monte launches Toy Story 5 promotion across Europe
Brand announces major on-pack collaboration with Disney and Pixar across fresh, prepared, and fresh-cut produce
Veg Power targets breakfast occasions
Through a new social media and digital campaign, non-profit Veg Power aims to boost fruit and vegetable consumption at breakfast