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.
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
‘Mini marketeers’ take over Borough Market
Schoolchildren from across London will be selling their finest fresh produce at the iconic market today as part of a long-running food education initiative
MDS launches new return to work scheme for women
Applications are open for a new eight-week programme that aims to support women returning to work after maternity or other career breaks by rebuilding confidence, skills and resilience
Timcon urges UK government to cut pallet business red tape
Industry body is pressing to secure special dispensation or full exemption for wooden pallets and timber packaging moving between the UK and EU
Pink Lady slices among fruit pot recall after Salmonella finding
PrepWorld has recalled several fruit pots from six retailers across the UK and Ireland after routine testing found Salmonella in apple and kiwi
UK berries survive heat for Wimbledon but salad crops struggle
British strawberries are expected to have survived last week’s extreme heatwave in time for Wimbledon, but salad crops exceeded optimum growing temperatures
Tropical fruits outperform wider produce market, congress hears
Suppliers and retailers gather for Fruitnet Tropicals Congress, where commercial outlook is very positive despite major challenges
Aldi gives away free strawberries in Wimbledon promo
Promotion comes as the retailer cuts price of 227g punnet to 99p and berry industry gears up for peak trading fortnight
Del Monte on pioneering premium tropicals across European markets
Gianpaolo Renino of the newly-rebranded Del Monte Corporation discusses the group’s strategic approach to tropical fruit innovation
Egypt’s Pico navigates evolving grape landscape
As warming climate changes production seasons and influences consumer purchases, supplier says adaptability is key
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New public sector taskforce to boost Scottish food procurement
Growers and suppliers in Scotland will benefit from a new public sector food procurement taskforce to address barriers to supplying more local produce
Record British apple sales as retailer of the year race enters final stretch
Tesco is currently UK’s biggest purchaser of British apples, with Aldi in second place and Lidl in third
New market for broccoli surplus cuts harvest costs
East of Scotland Growers is partnering with food tech company Upcycled Plant Power to supply broccoli waste into ingredients, protein and fibre
Spar North of England gets Wimbledon ready with Good Natured Berries
Retailer serves up British-grown Good Natured Berries to customers in time for Wimbledon
Brassica Growers Association to begin tracking retailer support for UK production
Trade body will publish monthly league tables, culminating in British Brassica Retailer of the Year Awards
Bidfresh adopts Podfather logistics software ‘to boost customer service and efficiency’
Foodservice supplier says new delivery management system has helped the business deal with more challenging customer requirements
Fresh Direct launches seasonal summer range
Foodservice selection includes vertically farmed salad leaves, Isle of Wight tomatoes, Jersey Royals, summer berries, and expanded microgreen offer
Farming Roadmap sets out government vision for agriculture
Seasonal worker visas guaranteed until 2030, a stronger role for co-operatives and extending fair dealing regs to fresh produce are among government plans for farming
Report warns of climate-related food inflation in UK
Many more people in the UK will be unable to afford fresh fruit and vegetables by 2050, the Autonomy Institute states, as heat waves alone are expected to add 68 per cent to the price of a grocery basket
Morocco overtakes Spain as UK’s top mandarin supplier
Combination of Brexit, government investment, and improved access to Nadorcott propels country to top spot