Berries
All the news and market analysis for worldwide berry industry, including berry growers , berry production, and the import and export of berries.
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
Robots take centre stage as Fruitmasters opens new storage and distribution facility
Sustainability and efficiency are central features of company’s new Smart Fruit Hub near Rotterdam
New variety boosts South Africa’s early season blueberry business
Blueberry growers in South Africa and Zimbabwe have started harvesting the 2025 crop, with good demand locally and overseas
Comment: Who profits from proprietary produce?
Horticultural IP lawyer Darron Saltzman argues there could be a fairer way to structure variety licensing agreements
Driscoll’s appoints new chief people officer
Berry leader names Gaëlle Le Meur as its chief people officer as the company strengthens its global growth and talent development strategy
Strong start to 2025 for Spanish exports
Volume and value grew through the opening two months of the year, according to Fepex
Fruitful Ventures underlines quality standards with Bloom brand relaunch
Premium brand is used for select range of products supplied by Olympic Fruit, Hoofdman-Roodzant, and Fresh-Pride
Comment: Fruitist is on the verge of something berry big
A predicted IPO might be seen as a high-stakes bet on the future of fresh berries, but there is also plenty to be gained
Analysis: Range of fruit drives South Africa’s export growth
Wayne Prowse explains how the country’s commitment to certain categories makes it a key counter-seasonal supplier
Scottish berries aid world-record rowing attempt
Scottish brothers have worked with Dundee berry specialist Arbuckles for their meals
Aldi backs British strawberry growers
Retailer says it is cutting the price of its homegrown strawberries to encourage shoppers to buy British
Hortifrut celebrates worldwide B Corp certification
Company said accreditation reaffirms its commitment to the highest standards of social and environmental performance
Agrovision rebrands to Fruitist
Move marks next chapter for company as it focuses on global expansion
BelOrta and Hoogstraten join forces on Belgian blues
The Belgian cooperatives are set to combine their volumes of domestically produced blueberries, boosting the visibility of local blues in Belgian retail, wholesale and specialist shops
Co-op first to sell 100 per cent British strawberries this year
Convenience retailer has got fruit into stores four days earlier than last year
Angus Soft Fruits boss publishes report on growing share of value chain
John Gray’s Nuffield Farming study highlights potential of gene-editing, data-driven production and new markets to help growers improve returns
Colombian blueberries eye new export opportunities
Year-round production and proximity to big consumer markets a boon for producers
Sunny weather brings glut of UK strawberries
The Summer Berry Company has produced 50t more strawberries than this time last year
Record high for US strawberry exports
Exports for 2024 were valued at US$570.3mn, making the category the country’s third most valuable fresh fruit export
The wild potential of AI
Given the plethora of potential uses in the fresh produce sector, AI undoubtedly has the power to reshape the business, but its ability to create certainty for growers comes with a dose of unpredictability
Korean strawberries gain access to Brazil
New deal marks first entry into Latin America for the Korean fruit
Big names in business gather at Fresh Produce Vietnam
Leading executives from Fresh Del Monte, Vinafruit, Joy Wing Mau Asia, Goodfarmer and Blue Whale to meet in Ho Chi Minh City for Fruitnet’s new event on the booming Vietnam market