Latest news stories from Produce Plus
News updates for the fresh produce business in Australia and New Zealand.
Australian fresh produce industry’s Wiggles campaign builds momentum ahead of tour debut
The Wiggles will promote fruit and vegetable consumption on upcoming arena tour with support of leading brands
QFVG appoints Joe Moro as interim CEO
Current chair Joe Moro takes on the role as recruitment of new CEO commences
Bay of Plenty avocado growers assess damage from extreme winds
New Zealand avocado industry rallies around growers hit by significant weather event
Banana Gym Pass campaign returns for National Banana day
Australian Bananas partners with gyms across the country to provide a free workout for purchasing a banana
Potato seeds in Victorian cold storage test positive for PMTV
Infected seeds were imported from Tasmania prior to current biosecurity measures
Conversations
Fruitbox 116 · Mark Landini, Landini Associates
Sydney-based retail consultant returns to Fruitnet’s podcast series to explain 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
New South Wales government review of berry testing data confirms no evidence of pesticide misuse
Authorities say testing showed no evidence of thiometon residue on any berries and previous reports of detection were unreliable
South Australia declared ToBRFV-free
More than 200,000 samples have been tested across 109 properties with no positive detections since March 2025
Rockit launches Mid-Autumn Festival campaign
Online and offline marketing, premium giftboxes and a new Gold Selection range on offer during one of China’s peak consumer demand periods
Perino tomatoes introduces cardboard packaging innovation
Costa, Coles and Opal join forces to trial cardboard packaging in Victoria
Sydney Markets appoints Anthony Boyd as new CEO
Boyd has experience across listed multinationals and global real estate, investment, infrastructure and logistics organisations
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New Zealanders cut back on fresh produce as prices rise
Cost of living pressures force families to reduce spending on fruit and vegetables
Melbourne Market Authority seeks feedback on public market proposal
New public market concept would be a purpose-built destination retail experience separate from existing wholesale market
Coming soon: Produce Plus Summer
As the weather warms up, Produce Plus takes a look at summer favourites, including spotlights on the mango, stonefruit, cherry and table grape categories as they vie for attention over the holiday period.
Piñata Farms appoints Jason Wales as general manager people and culture
Wales joins after three years as chief people and safety officer at the Sunshine Coast-based Maleny Dairies
Potato mop-top virus eradication declared not feasible by Australian authorities
National Management Group (NMG) says decision reflects several difficulty detecting infected areas and the virus’s ability to persist undetected in soil
Hort Innovation Venture Fund announces first investment
Inaugural recipient BioScout provides cutting-edge solutions to disease detection and management in horticulture crops
Boratto Farms leverages AI for leafy green quality assessment with GoMicro
AI-powered technology can assess quality of spinach, lettuce, rocket, chard, and red butter leaves on conveyor belts with expert-level accuracy
Rachel Chambers named Queensland Food Farmers’ Commissioner
CEO of the Queensland Fruit and Vegetable Growers takes on new three-year role to support and empower the state’s farmers
T&G Fresh and Kaikohe Berryfruit partner to expand berry operations
Venture sees Kaikohe Berryfruit lease its 10ha site for nine and a half years to grow premium blueberries and strawberries for the domestic and export markets
Aldi Australia takes out fifth consecutive fresh produce retailer award
Discount retailer recognised as the best supermarket for fresh and affordable fruit and vegetables by Canstar Blue