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 Wyard Stomp as COO
Berry giant creates new chief operating officer position for Wyard Stomp, while Shaily Sanghvi’s role expands
From wellbeing to tech: Meet the pioneer employers
The Summer Berry Company was named one of the UK’s top 500 employers in 2025, while G’s is making waves with new initiatives to attract young people
Major glasshouse development wins planning consent
The £150mn Rivenhall Greenhouse project has received the go-ahead from council planners and is described as a blueprint for future glasshouses to be co-located with complementary industrial sites
John Deere delivers reliability for Mountford Berries
Narrow axle and low-profile configuration tractor enables easy access in polytunnels
Orsero strengthens financial leadership with two senior appointments
Promotions free up Matteo Colombini’s time to focus on CEO role, as company weighs up potential acquisition in North America
Biotalys achieves Florida registration for Evoca
Biofungicide helps control diseases like Botrytis and powdery mildew in fruits and vegetables such as strawberries, tomatoes and bell peppers
Tesco says sunny weather means surge in UK strawberry supply
New-season outdoor crop starts to arrive following positive April conditions, as retailer expects roughly one million punnets in next week
Arrival of spring marks recovery in Spanish strawberry production
Warmer temperatures boost output, partially compensating for earlier losses
T&G Global sale ‘backfires’ as potential buyer walks away
Newspaper report suggests plan to break up NZ supplier ‘put off’ private equity company, as sale process continues
Demand for strawberries rises among younger consumers
Growth is driving investment in Dutch production, according to industry association GroentenFruit Huis, as European promotions continue
AFTPP funding a “strategic catalyst” for US blueberry industry
Grant will help the industry expand its presence in high-growth regions and forge partnerships with importers, distributors and retailers worldwide
Co-op first to switch to homegrown strawberries
For the fourth season running, Co-op says it is the first UK retailer to move to exclusively domestically produced strawberries
IPD virtual event to connect European buyers with global suppliers
The German initiative promoting imports from developing countries will showcase avocados, mangoes, pitahayas, pineapples and other products
Spanish fresh produce exports fall 4 per cent in January-February
Export volumes declined in the January-February period, with vegetables down 3 per cent and fruit falling 6 per cent
Cool Carriers Chile posts strong season despite US downturn
Operator says it achieved record market share and moved 260,000 pallets of cherries, blueberries, grapes and stonefruit in 2025/26
New Argentine blueberry varieties show promising results
Four varieties developed by University of Buenos Aires and Early Crop generating interest in major producing countries
Macfrut 2026: global fruit and vegetable sector meets in Rimini
Trade fair returns to Rimini Expo Centre on 21-23 April 2026, with over 800 international buyers expected to attend
New shareholders for Belgian supplier Special Fruit
Leading European importer-exporter secures new capital investment following decision to expand ownership structure
Driscoll’s appoints Darci Vetter as vice-president of public affairs
Former US chief agricultural negotiator joins berry giant’s leadership team to support global governmental affairs strategy
Final days to register for Fresh Produce India
Join industry leaders from all parts of the value chain at India’s premier fresh produce event in Mumbai on 16-17 April
Sumitomo invests in HarvestX’s automated strawberry pollinator
Japanese conglomerate to help develop and deploy automated solutions for indoor strawberry production
BerryWorld UK appoints Paul Avery as new managing director
Commercial director promoted following retirement of Paul Cole, who helped the company treble its sales in two decades
CBC reports progress on regenerative agriculture pilot
Committee seeking to boost climate resilience, productivity, and profitability in Chile’s blueberry sector
Home-bred varieties lead Korea’s export push
New grapes, strawberries and pears are headlining export development efforts
Fall Creek launches Apex blueberry variety
Latest addition to Fall Creek Collection has 45-day shelf-life, and yield potential exceeding 20 tonnes per hectare
Keep ‘em peeled: a round-up of April Fools’ day produce pranks
Dole, Eosta, Florette, Del Monte and a whole bunch of Dutch companies put some serious effort into this year’s silliness
Wadih J Khayat named CFO of Driscoll’s
Khayat previously held senior leadership roles with The Coca-Cola Co
Keep calm and berry on: Top takeaways from Fruitnet Berry Congress
Mike Knowles and Maura Maxwell are joined by FPJ editor Fred Searle for a berry-themed edition of The Fresh Ideas Show podcast
Sainsbury’s inks five-year contracts with British berry farms
Supermarket says more than 2,500 British farms will have long-term deals by 2027
Ali Capper appointed chair of British Berry Growers
Capper will step down from British Apples and Pears to take over leadership of berry trade body, following retirement of Nick Marston
Full programme announced for Fresh Produce India
Big names from across the value chain set to speak at India’s premier fresh produce event
BerryWorld strawberries kick off UK season in Ocado
Online retailer is stocking ultra early-season fruit a month earlier than usual
SanLucar launches ‘blue wonders’ campaign for blueberry season
Fresh produce marketer rolls out spring campaign to promote its premium fruit and support sales with retail POS materials
Finding the right technology in the berry business
Expert speakers at Fruitnet Berry Congress, which took place in London on 19 March, highlighted the potential of various technological solutions to address issues surrounding labour, energy, quality and waste in the berry category
Orsero Group affirms resilience amid inflation and volatility
Italian fresh produce multinational reassures shareholders of ability to withstand significant challenges as Middle East conflict continues
Driscoll’s launches The Berry Patch Book Club
The berry company has introduced four original digital books for early readers, building on its brand focus on shared family moments