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.
New agri-food robotics hub launched at University of Lincoln
HARVEST hub at university’s Riseholme Park Campus will provide access to testbeds for robotics in arable, fruit and vegetable farming, including £1mn Acceleration Fund
Riverford celebrate 40th anniversary with cookbook
Organic veg box company release trove of over 100 recipes that can be dished up in 40 minutes or less
India-UK deal supports baby corn exports despite Middle East disruption
Trade agreement removes tariff barrier as Indian exporter reports resilient UK demand despite higher prices caused by conflict in the Middle East
NFU and retailers call for budget to boost food security
National Farmers’ Union says UK tax reform needed to incentivise investment in critical infrastructure
Fruit Attraction attendance holds steady in 2026
Ifema and Fepex say Madrid event drew more than 121,000 visitors from over 150 countries, and included ‘record-breaking’ second day
WAO Congress maps avocado category’s path to future growth
The Avocado Congress heard that Europe’s avocado market grew 16 per cent in volume in 2025 and still holds significant potential
Zespri forecasts surge in Northern Hemisphere SunGold output
Production nears 100,000 tonnes as Italy’s orchards expand, helping brand meet rising demand in Europe, North America, and Asia
Driscoll’s faces new class action over pesticide residue allegations
Superior Court filing adds to growing list of legal challenges for world’s biggest berry brand
Rabobank sees scale and specialisation as key trends in Europe
New report warns suppliers and wholesalers face mounting pressure from volatile supply, fierce competition, and more powerful retail buyers
Winterwood launches dedicated European berry supply division
Group introduces a dedicated European division offering retailers across Poland and Central and Eastern Europe 52-week berry supply
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Banana sector ‘under threat’ as pressures mount
With prices still rock bottom, Fairtrade and Fyffes warn that climate change, cost rises and diseases pose unsustainable risks to the industry
Tesco dishes out 20 million portions of fruit and veg to schools
Improved behaviour, increased vitamin uptake and dietary diversity among the fruits of retailer’s free school access programme
Are UK supermarkets waking up to fresh produce brands?
Julia Bottoms investigates what fresh produce brands bring to the table and whether they can gain more shelf space at UK supermarkets
Vip targets further growth after record Italian apple sales
Italian association sets out consolidation and development strategy for new season, following strong club apple and organic performance
Tesco’s Agri-tech Challenge spurs calls for investment
Farmers increasingly call for agri-tech innovation funding and subsidised trials, as Tesco announce Swiss company AgroSustain as a winner of its Agri-tech challenge
Asda unveils 10-year supply partnership with Len Wright Salads
Retailer backs British growers with decade-long £250mn partnership hoped to boost supply chain resilience and producer confidence
Walsh Mushrooms expands into English-grown organics
New production at Bury St Edmunds site responds to rising customer demand for organic mushrooms
US fresh cherry exports forecast to fall 25 per cent
Freezing temperatures and frost damage set to reduce foreign trade by almost a quarter, says USDA report
‘Feel the fibre’ campaign to bridge family fibre gap
Veg Power and Food Foundation campaign hopes to eradicate need to hide beans on childrens’ plates, as bean and pulse sales rise in 2026
Peach and nectarine crop to rebound to 25mn tonnes
Report says total output will be higher this year, with Turkey on course for almost double last season’s frost damaged production