Berries
All the news and market analysis for worldwide berry industry, including berry growers , berry production, and the import and export of berries.
Sonia Gabauer wins 2025 Seeka MOYA
Driscoll’s Australia national marketing manager presented with Australasia’s premier fresh produce marketing award for the Sweetest Batch Strawberries Campaign
Perfection Fresh launches recyclable premium strawberry punnet
New Detpak design reduces plastic by 87 per cent
Dole founder and produce champion David Murdock dies, aged 102
Billionaire businessman and wellness advocate, who transformed Dole into global fruit powerhouse and later championed nutrition research, passed away on 9 June
Tomra Food wins Jury Prize at Fooma Japan for integrated blueberry line
Award recognises Tomra’s commitment to innovation in food processing technology
Fruitbox 114 · Wyard Stomp, Driscoll’s of EMEA
Berry brand’s Europe, Middle East and Africa managing director shares his thoughts on how to grow the category
Positive outlook for Peruvian blues
Country set for further export growth in 2025/26 as plantings continue to increase
Robot-friendly strawberry picks up Superior Taste Award
Production of premium variety Inspire set to double in 2025, according to Dutch brand owner The Greenery
New phytosanitary inspection site project approved for Coquimbo
Facility will handle the growing volume of fruit being shipped to US under a systems approach
‘Berries should be fun’: Angus Soft Fruits launches brand refresh
Significant investment and theatrical marketing strategy behind Good Natured Berries aims to ‘shake up the berry aisle with joyful shelf appeal’
BerryWorld scoops awards for premium varieties
Premium BerryWorld varieties picked up multiple awards at the 2025 Superior Taste Awards in Brussels
BayWa secures court approval for restructuring plan
Company’s plan was already underway, with new loans secured until end of 2028, but legal backing now in place
Demand grows for Zawadi raspberries
Retail enthusiasm in the UK and beyond fuels Mediterranean ramp-up of Zawadi raspberry plantings, with more than 140ha projected this year
Growers face PO funding cliff edge
Sector fighting for concerns to be heard that ending current funding for English and Welsh POs will see loss of vital innovation, threaten small growers, and create unlevel playing field across UK and Europe
USHBC creates blueberry innovation programme
The first-ever Blueberry Boost Accelerator seeks the next generation of food and consumer product innovation
BayWa’s produce sales improve, but restructuring plan approval still pending
As conglomerate attempts to bring down costs and focus on more profitable areas of business, its fruit and veg sales have increased
Challenging campaign for Greek strawberries
Greek strawberry producers have faced significant challenges this past season, including unfavourable weather conditions, labour availability issues and high costs, but Labidino eyes expansion in 2025/26
Tesco slashes price of strawberries to shift glut
Retailer said it’s expecting to sell 25 per cent more strawberries than last year after warm spring brings crop on
Analysis: Peru’s export business is right on trend
Recent poor weather dampened its growth, but overall the country’s export trade remains buoyant, as Wayne Prowse reports
Prepared salad and fruit sales surge due to warm spring
Convenience fruit and salad sales have spiked as consumers celebrate warm spring while inflation of 4.1 per cent is ‘new territory’ for 2025
Video: Driscoll’s eyes UK growth through new R&D centre
Global R&D head Scott Komar and European MD Wyard Stomp talk to Fruitnet at the opening of Europe’s largest dedicated berry development facility
M&S extends Tenderstem season as Plan A bears fruit
Premium retailer has worked with growers to extend British veg season using polytunnels and is trialling precision pollination to boost strawberry yields
Driscoll’s appoints first ever chief communications officer
Berry company promotes North America marketing chief as it looks to build global brand reputation
Local focus for Belgian suppliers
Global instability is encouraging Belgian suppliers to stay close to home when it comes to strawberry and tomato exports, with the UK remaining a key destination despite the post-Brexit uncertainty
International fruit brands target smaller Chinese cities
The likes of Driscoll’s and Zespri look to second- and third-tier cities for growth
CBC calls for Driscoll’s to respect court ruling in patent infringement case
California Berry Cultivars issues statement “setting the record straight” on its recent litigation victory against Driscoll’s
Peru blueberry exports set to grow
Country’s recovery continues following sudden downturn in 2023/24 with a forecast increase in production
AVA berry varieties show way for Angus
Premium berry varieties like AVA Magnum and AVA Monet aim not just for outstanding taste but also improved shelf life, according to Angus Soft Fruits, making them ideal for export to the Gulf and Asia
Ortolani Cofri merges with Agrintesa
Italian cooperative extends reach across country with incorporation of Imola-based supplier
Respite for BayWa as restructuring plan is approved
Agreement offers respite to troubled conglomerate and T&G Global owner, with capital injection and loan extension to end of 2028
Driscoll’s opens cutting-edge new UK headquarters
Company says revamped site is Europe’s largest dedicated berry development facility, providing a fully traceable journey from seedling to packhouse
Hugh Lowe Farms trials polytunnel solar panels
Electric Berry project powers farm tools and equipment using flexible solar panels attached to top of its polytunnels, with no extra land required
Waitrose launches double-sized British King Strawberries
Each berry in the new line can weigh up to 90g
Driscoll’s ‘confident’ it can overturn CBC court ruling
Company launches appeal against decision in favour of California Berry Cultivars, which it says infringed its strawberry variety patents
British Berry Growers report calls on government and retailers to step up
Detailed report highlights uncertain economic outlook and calls for better support on retail returns, labour, planning permission, and funding
Boxing clever: art of vertical farming enters cubist phase
A new production centre on the outskirts of Phoenix, Arizona, combines advanced indoor farming with futuristic warehouse distribution technology
SanLucar harvests its first Valencia-grown blueberry crop
Company said the milestone was the culmination of a pioneering project started two years ago