Latest news stories from Produce Plus
News updates for the fresh produce business in Australia and New Zealand.
Queensland fresh produce pumps $6bn into the economy, new report finds
Sector also supports almost 45,000 jobs across the state
Australian cherries launch season in Vietnam
Launch event in export market highlights the 72-hours journey from orchard to plate for Australian cherries
Cherry Growers Australia announces 2026 National Cherry Industry Conference dates
Cherry 2026 will take place across two days in Adelaide, matching an engaging conference programme with orchard tours and more
Australian macadamia crop finalised following challenging 2025 season
Significant rainfall across the season made for difficult growing conditions
Parisi and Trims Fresh Merrylands take cherry crown in Sydney Markets Foundation auction
Annual Sydney Markets Foundation Cherry Ball raises A$260,000 for charity partner, Little Wings
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
New initiative set to boost Australian melon exports to the Gulf
Project takes practical approach to building market knowledge and connections for Australian industry
QFVG appoints Scott Kompo-Harms as CEO
Kompo-Harms has held senior roles with the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the National Farmers’ Federation and most recently the Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council
Centuria acquires Arrow Funds Management securing assets leased by Select Harvests, Nutrano Group and more
Arrow Funds Management agriculture property portfolio features 22 properties worth A$444mn
New interstate restrictions imposed on TPP carrier and host plants
Victorian businesses transporting tomato, potato, eggplant and capsicum interstate must obtain appropriate accreditation before 8 December
Australian fresh produce industry’s Wiggles campaign hits New York
IFPA managing director A-NZ Belinda Wilson and Dorothy the Dinosaur will take the stage at the New York Produce Show and Conference
SUBSCRIBE TO PRODUCE PLUS
Produce Plus is the leading fruit and vegetable industry marketing magazine in Australia and New Zealand.
Subscribe and get four issues per year. Plus newsletters, special publications, and full digital access.
Hort Innovation re-appoints Julie Bird as chair
Voting members re-elected Bird alongside board member Jan Vydra at the organisation’s AGM
Metagen develops DNA-based diagnostic test in battle against SLB
Biotechnology company also seeks to research stemphylium leaf blight fungicide resistance
RMIT launches research hub to unlock protected cropping potential
Five-year programme to develop solutions in renewable energy, plant quality enhancement and intelligent greenhouse monitoring and analysis
Zespri’s Northern Hemisphere sales season underway
SunGold production is expected to increase by 30 per cent from last season
HortNZ appoints Ripeka Evans as independent director
Evans brings more than 40 years of strategic leadership and governance experience to the role
John Antoniadis crowned South Australian Cherry King at charity auction
Antoniadis of Agostino Group claims title after winning bid in South Australian Produce Market charity cherry auction for Variety SA
Tasmanian Seasonal Produce Guide launches on National Ag Day
Now in its 18th year, the guide will be available digitally for the first time
Australian almond industry eyes Asia expansion
China, India, Indonesia and Malaysia are priority markets in industry’s new strategic push to drive export growth
Citrus Australia calls for pause on Vietnamese pomelo imports
Citrus Australia has called on the agriculture minister to pause Vietnam’s pomelo market access application, citing significant biosecurity risks from citrus canker that require further scientific assessment before trade can proceed safely
Perfection Fresh and Opal trial new mango multipack packaging
Kerbside recyclable cardboard packaging meets sustainability and convenience needs