Latest news stories from Produce Plus
News updates for the fresh produce business in Australia and New Zealand.
Early bird registrations open for International Fresh Produce Safety Symposium 2026
Fresh produce safety event returns to Sydney on 21-22 July with two keynote speakers, Dr Elizabeth Bihn and D’Arcie Rice
HBMA welcomes new board member as Kanzi season gets underway
Robert Thompson joins as a new director following the stepping down of Laurie Thompson wha has been on the board since its inception
Australian Macadamia Society appoints Ben Baldwin as CEO
Baldwin will take over from outgoing CEO Clare Hamilton-Bate
Momentum builds for Piqa Red
Prevar anticipates strong season for red pear with volumes expected to increase 15 per cent on last year
Zespri’s first charter of the 2026/27 season sets sail
The Whero has left Tauranga bound for Japan and South Korea, carrying more than 5,000 tonnes of SunGold and RubyRed kiwifruit
Conversations
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 108 · Carlo Magni & Louise Beard, Forward Insight
Chris, Carlo and Louise consider the consumers of tomorrow, the choices they will make and how we can develop fresh produce that will appeal to them
Fruitbox 101 · Alex Garcia-Devis, GlobalGAP
Chris speaks with Alex about the scarcity of water in some of the world’s key production regions, and what this means for the fresh fruit and vegetable industry
Tropic secures US$105mn to scale gene-edited banana production
Company plans to scale production of climate-resilient and non-browning varieties, with commercial launches due in 2027
Lineage secures export accreditation for South Australian cold storage facility
Exporters receive a shorter route to market after state gains first DAFF-accredited facility
New Zealand avocados find growth in Asia
Australia remains New Zealand’s top export market, but diversification efforts are paying off
Potatoes and onions take over Australian high school classrooms
New project aims to help young people better understand food production systems
Unlocking trade intelligence for Australian horticulture
Investment into high quality trade data to empower decision-making for industry
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Entries open for MOYA 2026
Australasia’s premier marketing award for the fresh produce and floral industries returns in 2026 as part of the Horticulture Awards for Excellence
Australian avocado industry deepens Malaysia collaboration
Avocados Australia partners with Monash University Malaysia and UOW Malaysia on nutrition education, culinary innovation and industry engagement
Australian fresh produce exporters cut off from Middle East
Fruit and vegetable exporters face freight freeze as supply chains in the region shut down
Australia’s macadamia industry cautiously optimistic for 2026 season
Early-season forecast has macadamia crop reaching 59,080 tonnes, a strong recovery from 2025’s 43,800 tonnes
Kiwifruit labour providers forced to close
Two of Zespri’s New Zealand contractors cease trading with millions in unpaid taxes, after allegations of widespread non-compliance
Hort Innovation Frontiers reveals first Incubate cohort for 2026
A group of 16 innovators will receive hands-on guidance to help make their concepts commercially viable
Ausveg secures PMTV compensation for affected potato growers
Arrangement represents first time growers have been compensated without a formal national biosecurity Response Plan being initiated
New Zealand wraps up challenging cherry season
Quality prioritised as volumes drop in the wake of poor weather
Centre for Australian Horticultural Market Access unveiled on Central Coast
Centre to strengthen the government’s primary industries research capabilities
Seeka delivers record profits for 2025
Operating revenue was up 7 per cent to NZ$440mn with net profit before tax increasing 60 per cent to NZ$48mn