Latest news stories from Fresh Produce Journal
News updates for the UK fresh produce business.
Tesco and M&S bosses to chair Industry Expert Groups in UK Packaging Pact
UK Packaging Pact appoints five new industry leaders to head focus groups as part of pact to transform UK packaging system
SPS changes threaten direct UK-Gibraltar fresh produce exports
Significant costs, delays and distribution are expected as new SPS controls limit direct fresh produce trade between UK and Gibraltar
The FPJ Big 50 Products: How fresh produce must adapt to a new normal
Waves of overlapping geopolitical conflict and climate extremes are creating tough conditions for fresh produce sales, but it’s clear innovation still pays off, writes Nina Pullman
Change at the top in FPJ Big 50 Products 2026
For the first time since the publication’s inception, the UK’s best-selling fruit or vegetable has changed
M&S launch beans and pulses campaign with Bowel Cancer UK
Retailer launches beans and pulses consumer campaign to help customers eat more fibre alongside £50,000 donation to Bowel Cancer UK
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
NFU open letter calls for future PM to back long-term food system
Well-negotiated EU alignment, workforce security and planning reform among key priorities for farming union
Veg Power 2026 results show power of repetition
Children who participated more than once in the flagship ‘Eat them to defeat them’ campaign ate more veg, new figures have shown
Banana Link remains determined after three decades
Despite a bunch of successes, the UK-based NGO still faces some familiar challenges as it strives for supply chain sustainability
Regenerative farming ‘central to future of UK horticulture’
Regen is moving from concept to commercial reality across the UK sector, as growers and suppliers view soil health as key to resilience and long-term sustainability
Lidl launches summer ‘scavenger’ hunt for fresh produce
A new scheme in select Lidl stores near deprived areas will see kids’ trolleys feature clues to fruit and veg as part of new game to drive engagement and education
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South Tyrol suppliers forecast bumper summer fruit season
Cooperatives Vip and Meg say they are using new AI technology to boost production at high altitude
M&S to open its biggest ever standalone food store
New Foodhall in Surrey is part of strategy to double size of M&S Food business by creating larger stores that better cater to weekly family shoppers
Oregon pear growers face ruin after ‘extremely difficult’ campaign
Combination of psylla infestation, drought, rising costs, labour shortages and trade tensions brings some growers to brink
South Africa citrus sector faces critical market access challenges
CGA chief executive Boitshoko Ntshabele has called on South Africa’s new ministerial appointments to act swiftly on trade negotiations
Mitrofresh expands with new UK distribution centre
Exotic mushroom supplier based in the Netherlands says new UK facility will improve delivery times and strengthen supply chains for British customers
Hort leaders renew calls for policy reform in Sector Growth Plan
Fruit Focus panel urges government to tackle labour shortages, energy costs and SPS transition as work continues on eagerly anticipated growth strategy
Dogtooth heralds age of ‘embodied AI’ in fruit farming
Robotics specialist secures fresh investment to expand its machines’ commercial deployment beyond UK
South Africa’s fruit leaders demand private sector port reform
Hortgro’s outgoing chief executive Anton Rabe says private sector participation in South Africa’s ports is ‘no longer negotiable’
Peruvian asparagus suppliers facing ‘severe’ shortage
Unusual weather patterns linked to El Niño are causing shortage and quality issues set to last weeks
Jersey Cover Crop Comp offers regen case study for UK farmers to follow
Competition returns for third year to provide evidence‑based case study of how cover cropping can benefit the environment in commercial potato production