Asia & Oceania
Fresh produce industry news and analysis from Asia and Oceania.
Berry business faces up to new challenges as growth continues
Investment in varieties, segmentation, marketing and technology will help build more profitable berry business, delegates heard at Fruitnet Berry Congress
Australian avocado industry launches in-store ripeness scanner trial
Ripeness scanner developed by Dutch agri-tech company OneThird uses near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy to rapidly and non-destructively assess avocado firmness
Hort Innovation announces change in board leadership
Current chair Julie Bird shares plans to retire from the role at the 2026 Annual General Meeting in November transtioning the leadership to deputy chair John Said
Eternal.ag launches autonomous tomato harvesting robot Harvester
The AI-powered system addresses labour shortages that have seen European greenhouse workforce decline 30 per cent since 2010
Asia Fruit Logistica launches new buyer registration and matchmaking platform for 2026
The brand-new system lets buyers pre-schedule meetings with exhibitors before the exhibition – and the ticketshop is open now.
Zespri launches RubyRed kiwifruit in Australia, Vietnam and Canada
Boost in volume to 18,000 tonnes this season expands export opportunities for the global marketer
Fruit in Schools programme fills New Zealand lunchboxes
Daily fruit for students paired with curriculum-linked teaching resources about fresh produce
Southern Forests growers unite behind Gen Fresh campaign
Television, digital media and retail partnerships highlight the growers behind the produce and encourage consumers to seek out Southern Forests food
The real reasons behind the rise of blueberries
Fruitnet’s Mike Knowles speaks exclusively to Cort Brazelton, CEO of Fall Creek, about the product’s recent impressive growth
French stonefruit suppliers face steep challenges
Apricot growers in France are struggling to make a profit, according to Serge Mouneyrac of Mouneyrac Frères, while cherry production requires substantial investments to protect the crop
Flash Gala apple campaign reaches over 100mn people
South African premium apple brand has significantly expanded its global reach through a digital-first marketing strategy
South African stonefruit gains foothold in Chinese market
The country has achieved its first successful sales in China, with sugar plums and interspecific varieties welcomed by the market
Thai authorities crackdown foreign influence in coconut industry
Raids target eight firms alleged to have monopolised the coconut trade in Ratchaburi, pushing farmgate prices down
Fuel supply concerns heighten for Australian growers as Middle East disruption continues
Industry bodies call for government action to secure critical inputs
Rockit launches 2026 season as New Zealand fruit reaches global markets
Season launch coincides with the rollout of the Rockit Every Moment campaign set to include influencers, key opinion leaders and celebrities to build greater awareness for the brand
Iran conflict continues to disrupt South African fruit shipments
Around 90 per cent of country’s fruit exports to Middle East by sea have been blocked by the crisis, forcing suppliers to divert cargo
Amazon Air expands to Northeast India unlocking opportunities for horticulture
New routes will provide faster, more reliable access to the rest of the country
Early bird registrations open for International Fresh Produce Safety Symposium 2026
Fresh produce safety event returns to Sydney on 21-22 July with two keynote speakers, Dr Elizabeth Bihn and D’Arcie Rice
HBMA welcomes new board member as Kanzi season gets underway
Robert Thompson joins as a new director following the stepping down of Laurie Thompson wha has been on the board since its inception
Australian Macadamia Society appoints Ben Baldwin as CEO
Baldwin will take over from outgoing CEO Clare Hamilton-Bate
‘Resilience is about more than just multiple origins’
Wealmoor CEO Avnish Malde tells Fred Searle about the grower-importer’s rich history, his journey into fresh produce, and why supply resilience is in the firm’s DNA
Joy Wing Mau prepares for IPO on Hong Kong Stock Exchange
Parent company Legend Holdings announces series of equity repurchases, share transfers, and incentive grants as it readies for future listing
Momentum builds for Piqa Red
Prevar anticipates strong season for red pear with volumes expected to increase 15 per cent on last year
Vietnam opportunity for New Zealand cherries
Consumer research suggests Vietnamese shoppers are becoming selective in their food choices with an emphasis on trust in origin
Zespri’s first charter of the 2026/27 season sets sail
The Whero has left Tauranga bound for Japan and South Korea, carrying more than 5,000 tonnes of SunGold and RubyRed kiwifruit
Zespri shipping manager schedules own departure
Industry stalwart Mike Knowles set to retire following almost four decades working in support of New Zealand’s kiwifruit industry
Tropic secures US$105mn to scale gene-edited banana production
Company plans to scale production of climate-resilient and non-browning varieties, with commercial launches due in 2027
Shipping disruptions push Dubai market to seek new channels
Redirected vessels from China divert to ports in Oman and Saudi Arabia, as others are held in Asia
Laos blueberries make Hong Kong debut
Tung Shing Fresh Fruit brings high-quality blueberries from new South-East Asian supply origin
Lineage secures export accreditation for South Australian cold storage facility
Exporters receive a shorter route to market after state gains first DAFF-accredited facility
Analysis: Costco Korea shifts its decade-long banana pricing strategy
Hyojun Kim breaks down the retailer’s sales structure noting recent changes that could see a bump in price after ten years
South African fruit stranded as Middle East problems mount
South African fruit exporters are grappling with mounting losses as vessels carrying stonefruit and table grapes remain stranded in the Gulf
‘Some fruit supply chains may no longer be viable’
Reefer shipping expert and former Maersk Line executive Thomas Eskesen explains what conflict in the Middle East means for the fresh produce business
Cool Carriers takes delivery of first Snow Class vessel
Reefer fleet operator welcomes next-generation vessel as part of plan to boost capacity, reliability and performance
China maintains top position in global apple industry
New report shows China’s apple output currently exceeds 51mn tonnes, while annual consumption surpasses 47mn tonnes
New Zealand avocados find growth in Asia
Australia remains New Zealand’s top export market, but diversification efforts are paying off