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.
Riverford grows peat-free mushrooms in industry first
Organic veg box company has raised prices to cover growing chestnuts and portobellos on a peat-free substrate, as trials on lettuce and tomatoes continue
TikTok ‘snack hacks’ spike sales of pomegranate
Pomegranate seeds are outperforming prepared fruit sales thanks to viral social media recipe hits with chocolate chips, cucumber and halloumi
EU deal ‘won’t begin until 2027’, says NFU president
In a wide-ranging interview on stage at Festival of Fresh, Tom Bradshaw covered trade deals, PO funding, energy costs and how food and farming policies will affect fresh produce
NCGM unveils 'garden wall' to celebrate heritage
The ‘garden wall’ unveiling ceremony was attended by traders, MPs and friends of NCGM, with plaques commemorating individuals and organisations linked with the market as part of its 50th anniversary celebrations
‘Berries should be fun’: Angus Soft Fruits launches brand refresh
Significant investment and theatrical marketing strategy behind Good Natured Berries aims to ‘shake up the berry aisle with joyful shelf appeal’
BerryWorld scoops awards for premium varieties
Premium BerryWorld varieties picked up multiple awards at the 2025 Superior Taste Awards in Brussels
Could trade wars derail exciting fruit branding initiatives?
Successful cultivar branding initiatives rely on worldwide production of high-quality fruit that meets strict requirements
Demand grows for Zawadi raspberries
Retail enthusiasm in the UK and beyond fuels Mediterranean ramp-up of Zawadi raspberry plantings, with more than 140ha projected this year
Stannuco shows benefits of automation in aubergines
Belgian aubergine producer Stannuco’s automated greenhouse is the result of more than a decade of observation, experience and learning, according to owner Steven Van Nuffelen
Nuffield Scholar joins Red Tractor to review food safety standards
Barbara Bray MBE appointed chair of Red Tractor Fresh Produce Technical Advisory Committee to enhance food safety standards
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Final hours to register for Festival of Fresh 2025
Don’t miss FPJ’s summer festival in Spalding, featuring big-name speakers, top-level networking, and exclusive tours of the Worldwide Fruit packhouse
Growers face PO funding cliff edge
Sector fighting for concerns to be heard that ending current funding for English and Welsh POs will see loss of vital innovation, threaten small growers, and create unlevel playing field across UK and Europe
First Comber Earlies to arrive early
Northern Irish potato faced ‘touch and go’ drought conditions in spring but will arrive two weeks ahead of schedule thanks to early excellent planting conditions
Picota cherries defy rain in Spain
Good volumes and quality are expected for this season’s crop, according to Agrupación de Cooperativas del Valle del Jerte
Fruit and veg avoid Brexit border chaos
Fresh Produce Consortium helps postpone border checks for EU imports in what CEO describes as “landmark win”
Quality key for Belgian curly endives
Dirk Declercq, chairman of the REO auction in Roeselare, West Flanders, believes specialist, high-end products like curly endives still have an important role to play at the auction
UK is a growth market for Spanish exports
The UK overtakes the US as fifth-largest non-EU export destination for Spanish food and drink
Festival of Fresh 2025 attracts top retail buyers
A number of Britain’s biggest grocers will be at FPJ’s summer festival on 5 June for a day of top-level networking, insightful interviews and festival fun
New direct air link set to boost Ugandan exports to UK
Ugandan Airlines route furthers country’s export push as growers level up to access international markets
Tesco slashes price of strawberries to shift glut
Retailer said it’s expecting to sell 25 per cent more strawberries than last year after warm spring brings crop on