Technology news from Fresh Produce Journal
Technology news stories with a direct relevance to the UK fresh produce business, including updates on production and harvesting systems, sorting and grading machinery, packaging, coldstorage and controlled atmosphere, digital management, robots and automation, vertical farming, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.
Chilled logistics firm has been hacked, BBC reveals
Major service provider to British supermarkets insists business remains unaffected but admits it is subject of ransomware attack
Thanet Earth’s seventh glasshouse to open in November
Construction is underway on Thanet Earth’s seventh high-tech glasshouse in Birchington, Kent, which will produce an additional 150mn tomatoes a year
Robotics firm Muddy Machines to wind down
Exclusive: The firm behind the robotic harvester Sprout is winding down operations after failing to secure new funding, as founder warns industry will struggle to face challenges ahead
Hugh Lowe Farms trials polytunnel solar panels
Electric Berry project powers farm tools and equipment using flexible solar panels attached to top of its polytunnels, with no extra land required
BelOrta brings Belgian cherry business under one roof
Company says move will help it achieve greater efficiency and longer shelf-life for its fruit when new season begins
British Berry Growers report calls on government and retailers to step up
Detailed report highlights uncertain economic outlook and calls for better support on retail returns, labour, planning permission, and funding
Maersk upgrades IoT connectivity across its fleet
Shipping giant has begun the roll-out of its new digital connectivity platform OneWireless aboard 450 vessels
CropCam offers tech boost to vertical farming sector
AI and machine learning is at the heart of the new system
Fefpeb warns of mounting price challenges
Federation reports on upward price pressure on the pallet business in recent months
New app a ‘game-changer’ for farm management
Jon Stewart, the main man behind MeritAgCheck, tells FPJ how the new app is revolutionising farm management and simplifying health and safety
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IGD calls for accelerated AI and robotics adoption
Analyst says greater investment is needed to transform food systems with technology, particularly in the face of the labour cost crunch
Mission Produce inaugurates Guatemala packhouse
New facility expands upon the company’s vertically integrated global sourcing network to serve global markets year-round
The wild potential of AI
Given the plethora of potential uses in the fresh produce sector, AI undoubtedly has the power to reshape the business, but its ability to create certainty for growers comes with a dose of unpredictability
How shipping containers are shaping urban vertical farming
Andrew Thompson, chief executive at Cleveland Containers, explores the benefits of using containers to farm in limited spaces
Big names announced for Festival of Fresh 2025
Key figures in production, retail, wholesale and sustainability confirmed in first wave of Festival of Fresh speakers
Biobest announces retirement of UK general manager
Simon Jones retired on 27 March, with Tim Crittenden appointed as his successor
First skin-transplant potato obtains plant breeders’ rights
New variety is developed using KeyGene’s proprietary 2S1 technique for creating graft hybrids
Vip’s herbicide-free apples attract market premium
Consortium’s new environmentally friendly line already has the backing of several growers in its home region of Val Venosta
Vertical farm giant Plenty files for bankruptcy
Bezos-backed vertical farm company, which recently partnered with Driscoll’s, secures bridging loan as restructuring begins
Berry business bursting with potential
Fruitnet Berry Congress hears how there’s plenty of room for growth in the category – but better marketing is key