Asia & Oceania
Fresh produce industry news and analysis from Asia and Oceania.
First lemons of the South African season arrive in India
South African delegation will look to boost exports at next week’s Fresh Produce India
FCC and Zespri complete first-ever biofuel kiwifruit charter
The shipment kicked off the 2025/26 season in Greater China
Summerfruit Australia welcomes Carrie Starkings as new CEO
This is the first of several major decisions the industry body is set to make to improve its operations
Zespri’s red-fleshed kiwifruit back in stores
Largest-ever crop means RubyRed will be sold in markets throughout the Asia-Pacific region, as well as the US
Bloom Fresh names Campbell Banfield as new general manager Australia, New Zealand, South-East Asia and Korea
Appointment signals Bloom Fresh’s plans for growth in these markets across multiple categories
Australian avocado season kicks off with launch event in Malaysia
Shepard avocado crop opens 2025 season with Hass avocados expected in April
Palms Vineyards to leverage new Sun World licence
Australian table grape grower-exporter hopes to leverage new licence as it delivers top quality fruit this season
Australian banana campaign brings new energy to market
Australian Bananas’ latest promotional project aims to reach consumers across a number of different channels
South African apples return to Thailand after 16-year absence
The country’s apple exporters have said they are delighted to be back in Thailand, with the first fruit set to be unveiled this week
Ryan Arnold appointed deputy chair of Citrus Australia
Arnold steps in for outgoing Greg Fraser with Richard Byllaardt re-elected as chair
Goodness Grown and Premier Fresh Australia announce strategic partnership
Premier to market and distribute Goodness Grown’s glasshouse-grown tomatoes throughout Australia
Hort Frontiers launches mentoring programme
Australian-Grown Innovation is designed to support Australia’s horticulture supply chain develop of commercially viable products and services
Vanguard, Bloom Fresh and SHB Group partner on Indonesian Ivory promotion
Table grape leaders host series of tastings for the Peruvian-grown premium fruit
Sassy apples hit South African shelves
New Zealand-developed variety is lighting up South African stores as consumers are introduced to the apple’s ‘new zing’
Cordoma builds high-flavour brand for Australian grapes
A new Sun World marketing licence will supplement Cordoma’s exotic brand as it aims to surprise and delight customers
New Zealand and India strengthen horticultural ties
Signed MOC set to foster technical exchanges, harvest and post-harvest management, training, and the sharing of technological expertise
ACCC supermarket inquiry recommends 20 reforms to support consumers and suppliers
Australian competition regulator suggests changes including clearer pricing practices, greater transparency for suppliers
Zespri approves red-fleshed kiwifruit commercialisation in Italy
Approval comes as initial guidance for the 2025/26 season forecasts strong returns for growers
Seeka deploys New Zealand-made robot at kiwifruit packhouse
Robot stacker trialed at Seeka Kiwi Kool Packhouse in Te Puke
WUWM releases Bangkok conference report
Hosted by Talaad Thai, the largest wholesale market in Southeast Asia, the event drew nearly 300 delegates from over 25 countries last year
The pallet revolution: replacing wood for good
As American entrenprenur and author Seth Godin says, “Change almost never fails because it’s too early. It almost always fails because it’s too late”
BerryWorld strawberries win gold at New Zealand’s Outstanding Food Producers Awards
Now in he running for the Category Champion Award to be announced in April
Industry leader Dean Gall elected IFPA ANZ chairman
Gall replaces outgoing chairman Richard Byllaardt with immediate effect and has also been appointed as the region’s representative on the global board
Strong start for T&G’s 2025 Jazz apple harvest
First export shipments due to depart Napier Port for Japan, the UK, France and Italy mid-March
Entries open for MOYA 2025
Australasia’s premier marketing award for the fresh produce and floral industries returns in 2025 as part of the Horticulture Awards for Excellence
Zespri’s first kiwifruit charter of 2025 departs for China
The Kowhai is transporting Zespri SunGold and RubyRed to Shanghai, and is due at the end of the month
Heartland Fruit wins Foodstuffs South Island Fresh Partnership Award
Award honours 20-year relationship supplying daily Luv’ya apples
China to destroy 1,300 containers of Chilean cherries
More than 24,000 tonnes of fruit transferred out of port of Nansha this week
Australian fresh produce to shine at Tokyo showcase dinner
Event forms part of the Australia-Japan Horticulture Showcase initiative designed to strengthen trading relationship between Australia and Japan
David Daniels leaves Citrus Australia after 12 years
As general manager of market development, Daniels played a pivotal role in expanding market opportunities and international trade relationships
Rebecca Scurr wins BerryQuest International 2025 Next Generation Award
Fourth generation producer recognised for developing the profile of Australian strawberries and specialty strawberries and raspberries
Varroa mite detected in Queensland beehives for the first time
State joins rest of Australia in shifting focus from eradication to management
Zespri Zag Innovation Fund kicks off second year with mission to propel a sustainable future
Fund calls for innovators to find solutions that drive meaningful decarbonisation and enhance orchard productivity
Rockit launches new marketing platform ahead of strong 2025 season
New Zealand snack-sized apple marketer prepares to export over 230mn apples this season
Chilean exporters set sights on Vietnamese market
Kiwifruit and blueberries next products in line to secure market access
Vietnam’s fresh produce exports to China plunge 43 per cent
News tied to China’s increased requirements on durian imports