Latest news stories from Produce Plus
News updates for the fresh produce business in Australia and New Zealand.
NNZ names Ronald Hoozemans as new CEO
Netherlands-based packaging supplier has appointed former Bunzl MD as its new boss, following the retirement of Len Boot after 35 years with the company
South Australia pushes back plastic fruit sticker ban
State responds to industry calls for more time
Australian macadamias see sharp downturn in mid-season forecast
Growers in New South Wales report lowest crops in a decade due to ongoing wet weather conditions
Industry calls for tougher biosecurity controls following illegal import sentencing
Insect riddled fruit and vegetables among the 62 tonnes of illegal product imported from Thailand for Sydney’s black market
Plant & Food Research joins three other CRIs to form New Zealand’s largest research organisation
Bioeconomy Science Institute to advance innovation in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, aquaculture, biotechnology and manufacturing
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
Rockit wins landmark trade dress infringement case
China’s Zhejiang High People’s Court ruling confirms Rockit’s distinctive packaging has achieved widespread recognition and can be protected under the PRC Anti-Unfair Competition Law
Coming soon: Produce Plus Spring
Produce Plus Spring includes MOYA winner spotlight and features on sustainability, berries, avocados, salads & herbs and more
Hort Connections 2025 round-up: photo report
See some of the key exhibitors from this year’s event in Brisbane and the award winners
Mountain Blue and Oz Group Co-operative announce marketing partnership under The Berry Collective
Partnership creates Australia’s largest blueberry marketing group.
Queensland leads on horticultural workplace compliance
Queensland’s Wide Bay and Moreton Bay regions have recorded the lowest non-compliance rates in Australia according to the Fair Work Ombudsman’s latest horticulture report, positioning the state as a national leader in workplace standards
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Zespri signs Olympic champion Dame Lisa Carrington as brand ambassador
New Zealand kiwifruit marketer Zespri has announced a four-year global partnership with Dame Lisa Carrington, the country’s most decorated Olympian, as its first-ever global brand ambassador
Fresh initiatives fuel global growth at Asia Fruit Logistica 2025
Asia Fruit Logistica boosts global trade with new features and stronger international participation
Costa Group harnesses WayBeyond’s FarmRoad to power blueberry innovation
WayBeyond’s enterprise platform helps Costa Group identify the best new blueberries for commercial success
United Fresh trend report highlights consumers’ call for convenience
Top consumer trends for the second half of 2025 include low-effort, sustainable cooking and rise of value-added produce
Groves Grown Tropical Fruits wins Piñata Farms’ Honey Gold Grower of the Year
Award celebrates excellence in crop forecasting, consistent quality fruit, communication and all-round performance
Zespri signs strategic MOUs to double fruit sales in China over ten years
Distribution and retail partners Joy Wing Mau, Goodfarmer Pagoda and Xianfeng Fruit collectively represent around 80 per cent of Zespri’s business in China
Central New South Wales avocado forum to deliver technical advice
Expert speakers to help growers with best practical advice as region recovers from severe weather
Zespri forecasts strong 2025/26 returns for growers
Average per hectare returns for many varieties are predicted to exceed the record returns seen in 2024/25
Rockit attends New Zealand Prime Minister’s mission to China
Apple company to sign strategic partnership agreement with Xian Feng during the delegation
New Zealand team develops soft “gripper” for robotic fruit picking arms
Innovation has application for automated picking in kiwifruit industry