Latest news stories from Produce Plus
News updates for the fresh produce business in Australia and New Zealand.
Ryan Arnold appointed deputy chair of Citrus Australia
Arnold steps in for outgoing Greg Fraser with Richard Byllaardt re-elected as chair
Goodness Grown and Premier Fresh Australia announce strategic partnership
Premier to market and distribute Goodness Grown’s glasshouse-grown tomatoes throughout Australia
Hort Frontiers launches mentoring programme
Australian-Grown Innovation is designed to support Australia’s horticulture supply chain develop of commercially viable products and services
Sassy apples hit South African shelves
New Zealand-developed variety is lighting up South African stores as consumers are introduced to the apple’s ‘new zing’
Cordoma builds high-flavour brand for Australian grapes
A new Sun World marketing licence will supplement Cordoma’s exotic brand as it aims to surprise and delight customers
Conversations
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
Fruitbox 95 · Sir Charles Godfray, Oxford University
Chris and Sir Charles discuss what population growth and climate change mean for the global food system
New Zealand and India strengthen horticultural ties
Signed MOC set to foster technical exchanges, harvest and post-harvest management, training, and the sharing of technological expertise
ACCC supermarket inquiry recommends 20 reforms to support consumers and suppliers
Australian competition regulator suggests changes including clearer pricing practices, greater transparency for suppliers
Zespri approves red-fleshed kiwifruit commercialisation in Italy
Approval comes as initial guidance for the 2025/26 season forecasts strong returns for growers
Seeka deploys New Zealand-made robot at kiwifruit packhouse
Robot stacker trialed at Seeka Kiwi Kool Packhouse in Te Puke
BerryWorld strawberries win gold at New Zealand’s Outstanding Food Producers Awards
Now in he running for the Category Champion Award to be announced in April
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Industry leader Dean Gall elected IFPA ANZ chairman
Gall replaces outgoing chairman Richard Byllaardt with immediate effect and has also been appointed as the region’s representative on the global board
Cherri Global goes into liquidation
New Zealand grower-marketer estimated to owe NZ$42mn to more than 30 creditors
Strong start for T&G’s 2025 Jazz apple harvest
First export shipments due to depart Napier Port for Japan, the UK, France and Italy mid-March
Entries open for MOYA 2025
Australasia’s premier marketing award for the fresh produce and floral industries returns in 2025 as part of the Horticulture Awards for Excellence
Heartland Fruit wins Foodstuffs South Island Fresh Partnership Award
Award honours 20-year relationship supplying daily Luv’ya apples
Australian fresh produce to shine at Tokyo showcase dinner
Event forms part of the Australia-Japan Horticulture Showcase initiative designed to strengthen trading relationship between Australia and Japan
David Daniels leaves Citrus Australia after 12 years
As general manager of market development, Daniels played a pivotal role in expanding market opportunities and international trade relationships
Rebecca Scurr wins BerryQuest International 2025 Next Generation Award
Fourth generation producer recognised for developing the profile of Australian strawberries and specialty strawberries and raspberries
Varroa mite detected in Queensland beehives for the first time
State joins rest of Australia in shifting focus from eradication to management
Zespri Zag Innovation Fund kicks off second year with mission to propel a sustainable future
Fund calls for innovators to find solutions that drive meaningful decarbonisation and enhance orchard productivity