Potato grower diversifies into padel
A Yorkshire farmer has converted a potato warehouse into an indoor court for the world’s fastest growing sport after low returns prompt diversification
Cherry sales up 150 per cent at Ocado
Online retailer believes popularity for ‘retro’ cherry flavour has boosted fresh sales, while warm weather has led to bumper crops of berries and apricots
Vertical Future in administration after losses widen
Ag-tech company that opened eight vertical farms across the UK has appointed administrators after heavy losses and failure to secure more funding
Video: Magnetic fields, better yields
Rozalin Aliramaei speaks exclusively to Fruitnet about Elenovations’ AI-driven technology, which simulates plants’ natural growing conditions
Blue Skies marketing director steps down
Mark Crawford has overseen strong growth at the tropical fruit supplier, and leaves the business for new role
UK drought declared to be ‘nationally significant incident’
Low water resources are leading to mixed harvesting conditions and some significant drops in yields as the National Drought Group upgrades water shortage warnings
Saga Robotics raises £8.4mn as Thorvald enters commercial breakout phase
Big moment for the robotics company as it transitions from initial market traction to large-scale commercial adoption
Dole launches Consumer Compass 2026 research project
Landmark initiative is dedicated to leveraging best-in-class consumer insights to drive fresh fruit and vegetable consumption across Europe
IAG Cargo reports growth in perishable volumes
Company said expansion of Madrid perishables centre is supporting exporters and opening up new global trade opportunities
Bonnysa expands fresh-cut presence in domestic and international markets
Company’s product offering has been growing steadily
Maf Roda harnesses AI and robotics to advance postharvest technology
Company’s latest innovations have a strong focus on AI, smart robotics, and operational efficiency
Fruitbox 115 · Daniel Sauvaitre & Philippe Binard, World Apple & Pear Association
Recorded live at Prognosfruit 2025, the latest episode of Fruitbox brings you instant reaction to this year’s European apple and pear production forecasts
Dole’s Q2 results exceed estimates on strong produce demand
Revenue totalled US$2.4bn, significantly above the US$2.16bn analysts had expected
Smaller Clemenules crop keeps Asian expansion plans in check
Castellón’s growers will focus on the European market due to lower production
G’s sees regen breakthrough as trials cut fertiliser and boost crop health
Salad supplier has seen groundbreaking results from its trials of regenerative farming and Johnson-Su composting technique
Video: FreshLinc’s Lee Juniper on border controls and driver shortages
CEO of produce haulier FreshLinc, Lee Juniper, tells Nina Pullman how the haulage industry will adapt again despite new UK-EU reset deal leaving new border control posts empty
The Fresh Ideas Show: Summer sales, blueberries or bust, and magic magnets
Hear from fresh produce business experts including Tesco, Oddbox, Elenovations and Alegra in the latest episode of Fruitnet’s video podcast
Maersk reports “strong results” in second quarter
AP Moller-Maersk has reported ”strong results” for Q2 2024, with revenue growth of 2.8 per cent to US$13.13bn, driven by strong terminal performance, ocean volume growth and increased logistics profitability.
EU pear production to rise slightly in 2025/26
Total pear production across the European Union is forecast to reach 1.79mn tonnes in 2025/26, a slight increase of 1.4 per cent on previous estimates but still the fourth-lowest crop of the past decade.
Berries del Oeste reports strong uptake of its varieties
Company said its premium strawberry varieties achieve consistent Brix above 8 throughout growing season
Rijk Zwaan strengthens Asian market position with innovative products and increased presence
Ahead of Asia Fruit Logistica, Rijk Zwaan reveals expansion across Asia including a new Korean subsidiary, R&D facilities in Vietnam and Japan, and innovative product developments tailored to regional markets
Kuehne+Nagel and ABB expand long-term collaboration in Chile
New deal covers solutions for contract logistics, including last-mile transportation and fulfilment operations
EU apple production to remain low at 10.46mn tonnes
World Apple & Pear Association releases new forecast data showing EU apple production remains relatively low, but the most concerning trend will be an apparent lack of demand growth
Video: Industry is ‘resilient’ despite cost increases
Worldwide Fruit CEO Steve Maxwell tells Nina Pullman why there’s more growth to come in avocado, and how the industry has shown resilience in the face of rising costs, inflation and National Insurance increases
Aldi to open one store a week during rest of 2025
Discounter confirms £650m expansion and refurbishment plan with new stores opening across the UK
AH Worth begins red kale trial as part of continued brassica innovation
Trials of striking new variety support growing retail demand for distinctive, high-quality produce, according to producer
Fischer Farms achieves top BRC food safety grade
The company behind one of the world’s largest vertical farms has achieved the highest possible grade in its first BRC food safety audit, marking a significant milestone for the business
Lidl Community Fund helps tackle food poverty
The retailer’s community grant scheme has now given £2 million in funding since 2022 with recipients including a Kent cookery club and a national school pantry scheme
Spanish fresh produce exports to EU grow 9 per cent
Spain’s fruit and vegetable exports to the EU grew by 9 per cent in the January-May period, reaching €7.697bn and accounting for 81 per cent of the country’s total fresh produce exports
Dole sells Fresh Vegetables Division to Arable Capital
Deal allows multinational to focus on its high-margin tropicals business
EU apple imports grow 13 per cent in 2024/25
Chile consolidates its position as the main supplier as Argentina continues to lose ground
Perceptions of freshness ‘key to future success’ at Ocado
Trading manager Martha Springham discusses challenges and advantages of online retail in Festival of Fresh interview about Ocado’s fresh produce strategy
New project will use AI to validate regenerative farming
The first large-scale AI project to validate regenerative practices in potato production will take place in the UK with funding from a major EU grant
Turkish lemons “lacking” after frosty spring
Lemons are expected to be in short supply globally this year, as most major suppliers struggle for volumes and the effects of Turkey’s disastrous frost continue to be felt
East-West Seed remembers founder Simon Groot
Vegetable seed industry pioneer Simon Groot, who founded East-West Seed and helped lift millions of smallholder farmers out of poverty, has died aged 90 in the Netherlands
Garden set to complete Greenyard buyout after reaching 95 per cent threshold
Belgian company Garden has reportedly surpassed the crucial 95 per cent ownership threshold in Greenyard, paving the way for founder and co-CEO Hein Deprez to complete a full takeover and privatisation of the global fresh produce giant