Africa
Fresh produce industry news and analysis from Africa.
FPC launches new action pack to help sector reach MPs
Email templates expressing the risks to produce imports from the rest of the world under the new EU-UK reset deal are available at the new hub, along with a petition signed by kitchen staff and catering suppliers to protect diversity of sourcing
Barfoots celebrates 50 years of ‘forever farming’
Barfoots’ Keston Williams takes Fred Searle on a sustainability journey, from energy self-sufficiency to water resilience, as the pioneering producer marks its 50th anniversary
Analysis: Margin squeeze hits citrus trade
Fruitnet Insights’ weekly fresh fruit and vegetable update from the GCC markets, brought to you in partnership with Global Star Group
Chinese importer backs South African apples with billboard campaign
Topsun Fresh’s billboard campaign at Guangzhou and Shanghai wholesale markets signals a new chapter in South African apple branding in China
Analysis: Massive Jeddah 'shipment flush' triggers lemon price drops
Fruitnet Insights’ weekly fresh fruit and vegetable update from the GCC markets, brought to you in partnership with Global Star Group
Innocent awards £1mn in grants to fruit and veg projects
Winning projects will support growers in 14 countries to adopt climate-friendly farm practices and secure the future of core ingredients in Innocent’s range, from citrus to coconut
AMFresh South Africa launches exclusive Alizza fruit at Checkers
The seedless, easy-to-peel Alizza variety is now available exclusively at Checkers stores across the country
South African citrus industry laments further escalation of Middle East war
CGA chief executive Dr Boitshoko Ntshabele warns that the resumption of Middle East hostilities poses a serious threat to South African citrus exports
SummerStar Ruby answers the food doctor’s call
There new South African SummerStar Ruby grapefruit campaign is underpinned by a strong health message
Autumncrisp goes from strength to strength in South Africa
The premium variety is changing the way people buy table grapes
Women: the hidden backbone of agriculture
At the Agraya Changemaker Awards, Manal Saleh of Blue Moon will honour those who drive positive change for women in farming
FPC urges government to rethink UK-EU reset
Consortium backs closer UK-EU trade but warns that planned border changes could add £300mn to annual import costs
China access opens new channel for Zimbabwe’s blueberries
First shipment marks historic step for one of Africa’s most promising, and fastest developing berry industries, but new challenges await
Heatwaves cause UK cucumber shortage
Limited availability in Britain due to exteme heat and high Dutch prices, but yields starting to recover
Omer-Decugis ups stake in Ivorian mango business
French importer now owns 90 per cent of Sopromat, as it continues to make strategic investments aimed at doubling its sales
Can South Africa’s rail revolution get citrus exports back on track?
Citrus Growers’ Association says planned arrival of competing private rail operators could save billions of rand each year
Bananas on the brink? Professor James Dale has other ideas…
Scientist dubbed the ‘Einstein and Indiana Jones of bananas’ talks in depth about the fruit’s highly uncertain future
Ceres Fruit Growers completes multi-million rand facility overhaul
CFG has invested heavily in new logistics capacity, mobile racking, real-time pallet tracking, automated packing technology and energy resilience
South African citrus industry prepares for less flexibility in UK exports
The citrus industry in South Africa is preparing for reduced market access and more checks on exports to the UK under planned realigment with EU and new SPS agreement
South Africa’s 2026 lemon season navigates rain and geopolitical headwinds
Despite weather-hit harvests and export route disruptions caused by Middle East conflict, the lemon season remains on track to deliver 49.4mn cartons
Third-country imports continue to grow in Spain
New customs data processed by Fepex reveals that non-EU suppliers are increasingly driving Spain’s fresh produce import growth
Comment: Can science help save bananas, the world’s favourite fruit?
In an extract from his new book The Future of Bananas, Australian agri-scientist Professor James Dale explains why a lack of genetic diversity and an overreliance on a single variety have put bananas at risk of commercial extinction
Banana Link remains determined after three decades
Despite a bunch of successes, the UK-based NGO still faces some familiar challenges as it strives for supply chain sustainability
South Africa citrus sector faces critical market access challenges
CGA chief executive Boitshoko Ntshabele has called on South Africa’s new ministerial appointments to act swiftly on trade negotiations
South Africa’s fruit leaders demand private sector port reform
Hortgro’s outgoing chief executive Anton Rabe says private sector participation in South Africa’s ports is ‘no longer negotiable’
Tempestuous season takes toll on South African grape trade
Geopolitical, logistical and climate disruptions all combine to prompt major shakeup in country’s grape export business
OZblu Global Grower Conference advances blueberry brand
Event examined how to strengthen the production and marketing supporting the premium blueberry offering
How EU realignment risks global fruit imports
In the latest FPJ Podcast, Nina Pullman is joined by the FPC’s Nigel Jenney to discuss how the EU-UK reset deal could spell trouble for imports
South African growers recover from devastating flood disruption
Apple and citrus growers in South Africa’s Cape regions are getting back on track after catastrophic floods damaged roads, cut power supplies and halted harvesting
Tropical fruits outperform wider produce market, congress hears
Suppliers and retailers gather for Fruitnet Tropicals Congress, where commercial outlook is very positive despite major challenges
How Gen Z is reshaping the grapefruit category
As Gen Z consumers prioritise sustainability alongside health and wellness, the grapefruit category is repositioning itself for a new era
Del Monte on pioneering premium tropicals across European markets
Gianpaolo Renino of the newly-rebranded Del Monte Corporation discusses the group’s strategic approach to tropical fruit innovation
Egypt’s Pico navigates evolving grape landscape
As warming climate changes production seasons and influences consumer purchases, supplier says adaptability is key
South African lemon deal will end ‘abruptly’ with higher volume
Citrus Growers’ Association updates export forecast after cooler weather and rainfall accelerate fruit development across key regions
Morocco overtakes Spain as UK’s top mandarin supplier
Combination of Brexit, government investment, and improved access to Nadorcott propels country to top spot
South Africa raises 2026 lemon export forecast
The CGA has increased its lemon export projection by nearly 4mn cartons following favourable growing conditions