Latest news stories from Fresh Produce Journal
News updates for the UK fresh produce business.
Frutas de Chile mourns passing of Ronald Bown
Chilean exporters association pays tribute to former president, who helped steer meteoric growth of the industry over his three decades at the helm
Supermarkets scoff at price cap proposal
UK’s big food retailers pour scorn on government’s suggestion of price caps on essential items to ease cost of living crisis
Westfalia’s chief customer officer announces departure
Wim Destoop plans to take on board and consultancy roles in Belgium after three years with avocado and fruit supplier
In pictures: Ronald Bown, 1945-2026
Bown, who has died aged 80, was a leading figure in the global fresh produce business for almost four decades
Video: What makes Sicilian citrus so special?
Two leading figures in the Italian fruit business speak to Fruitnet’s Mike Knowles about the island’s famous Tarocco oranges
Conversations
Fruitbox 117 · Hein Deprez, Greenyard
Greenyard’s founder discusses the company’s recent privatisation and explains why he sees an urgent need to redefine healthy eating
Fruitbox 116 · Mark Landini, Landini Associates
Sydney-based retail consultant explains how supermarkets can reconnect with customers through better design, storytelling, and a renewed focus on food
Fruitbox 115 · Daniel Sauvaitre & Philippe Binard, World Apple & Pear Association
Recorded live at Prognosfruit 2025, the latest episode of Fruitbox brings you instant reaction to this year’s European apple and pear production forecasts
Tesco opens applications for ninth annual Agri-Tech Challenge
Retailer invites innovators to submit solutions that might help build more resilient, sustainable and productive food supply chains
Damage assessment underway following Cape storms
The full scale of storm damage is emerging, with the Langkloof region facing destroyed infrastructure, stranded crops, and weeks without electricity
Co-op strengthens support for UK potato growers
The UK retailer has introduced ‘best of season’ potato packs as it looks to make greater use of a broader range of homegrown varieties
Climate report delivers 'reality check'
The Climate Change Committee’s new report lays bare the scale of the challenge facing UK farming, with the Soil Association calling it a “stark and frightening reality check”
Oranges and chickpeas will be ‘viable UK crops’ under warming climate
Water storage, adaption to sustainable farming and increased domestic production are critical if the UK is to maintain farming viability and food security, according to government climate report
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AgriSound wins Innovate UK funding for strawberry pollination project
The project brings together AgriSound, PheroSyn, and Oakford Farm to tackle pollination challenges in UK strawberry production
Florette introduces price-marked salad packs for independent retailers
Salad supplier launches new packs with recommended retail price incorporated into bag designs for first time
Steenhuisen pledges support in wake of Cape storms
Flooding, road inacessibilty, collapsed electricity pylons and damaged infrastructure threaten hundreds of thousands of tonnes of fruit exports
Asda unveils major fresh and frozen range revamp
Retailer has announced the biggest upgrade across product, price and in-store environment in recent years, included dedicated staff in fresh produce aisles, free fruit for children and new lower prices
First Comber earlies expected by mid June
New season early Comber potatoes are expected by next month into ‘reasonably steady market’, with Cyprus new potato imports already available
Growers to receive £1.9 mn in legacy AHDB grants
Funding will be distributed via 22 sector trade bodies for three-year projects that support innovation and resilience
British strawberries ‘slow but worth the wait’
UK crop has been delayed due to a cooler spring but flavour is expected to be very strong due to slower ripening conditions
Tough winter ahead for South African stonefruit
Growers are emerging from one of their most challenging export seasons in many years
Government plans to treble food redistribution
The Prime Minister has announced new plans to treble the amount of surplus food available for redistributions, as Wrap calls on all partners to step up efforts
Grapefruit exports forecast to surge 16 per cent in South Africa
The country’s grapefruit sector is predicting substantial export growth this season, with shipments expected to reach 15.7mn cartons