Latest news stories from Fresh Produce Journal
News updates for the UK fresh produce business.
Farmers have reached crisis point, warns NFU
Immediate action is needed to ensure growers have the means to produce next year’s crops, according to the National Farmers’ Union, which called for a Keep Britain Growing Loan
GAIN-RT uses AI to accelerate potato variety development
A new international research initiative aims to speed up the delivery of improved potato varieties to farmers facing climate and pest and disease pressure
Marks & Spencer launches exclusive Tiqi seedless grapes
Positioned as an everyday snacking option, Tiqi is sold in 400g grab-and-go pots
RedPop steps up UK marketing with Supergirl partnership
Apple brand targets consumers with wide-reaching summer campaign to strengthen its convenience positioning
Digipal launches bluetooth plastic crates for supply chain tracking
Leading plastic pallet supplier’s new sustainable crates designed to help businesses prioritise speed
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
GrubMarket acquires UK wholesaler JR Holland in cross-border first
US food tech company’s acquisition to drive AI and tech adoption in food supply sector
Langmead Herbs sets example for water security
West Sussex herb producer has maintained water supplies and even sold surplus to local producers thanks to extensive reservoir network and water recycling
UK relies on climate-hit countries for crops it could grow itself
The Food Foundation says the UK’s reliance on imports makes it vulnerable to supply disruptions and price spikes
Satellite sensors for farming win £200k in Space Agency funding
A project developing low-cost sensors using satellite and mobile connections has won funding from a new £16 million Space Agency grant
New 21-day UK-China shipping route to open in autumn
A new route linking six major Chinese ports with Felixstowe will use the Northern Sea Route through the Arctic to significantly cut transit time for time-sensitive goods
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Love British Food partners with Red Tractor
Tie-up aims to combine the reach of both networks ahead of British Food Fortnight to boost support for homegrown produce across both consumers and industry
Drought causing ’most challenging season ever’ for British onions
Tight supply, smaller sizes and lower quality expected after crops mature early in East Anglia
Co-op to offer half-price fruit and veg on Mondays
Co-op has launched a new weekly promotion called ‘Fresh Mondays’, offering shoppers 50 per cent off selected fresh fruit and vegetables.
Frozen fruit sales outpace fresh during heatwave
Frozen fruit sales rose by almost 50 per cent in the last four weeks while shoppers replaced ’cooking with grazing’ to cope with heat and inflation eased for fifth month running, new figures show
Government must simplify reservoir rules, says CAAV
Planning regulations remains significant barrier, say association, despite £15mn water investment
Heatwaves make British blackberries sweeter than ever
Growers say 2026 could be the sweetest year ever, but renew calls for urgent water support
Andy Burnham visits potato farm to announce new drought funding
The PM joined farming minister Stephen Morgan and NFU president Tom Bradshaw at Cornish grower FG Pryor & Son to announce new support for farmers, including £15mn for reservoirs
French heatwaves exacerbate drought conditions
Farmers are in survival mode across much of France, as heatwaves and drought continue to hamper production, with low harvests anticipated as a result
Drought expected to shrink English potato yields
Heatwaves and drought conditions are likely to reduce yields and tuber size of the English potato crop, while Scotland could still see average harvest due to higher rainfall
Oddbox rescues 6,000 sunburnt caulis after retailer rejections
Veg box company is seeing increased demand for its buying services as pest damage, cosmetic defects and crop flushes caused by heatwaves leave growers without a market