New app a ‘game-changer’ for farm management
Jon Stewart, the main man behind MeritAgCheck, tells FPJ how the new app is revolutionising farm management and simplifying health and safety
UK’s first citrus grove is ‘sign of warmer climate’
Comments in newspaper report suggest UK might also one day produce its own bananas and avocados
‘Titan’ of brassica industry passes away
Tributes to TH Clements founder Alan Clements, who has passed away aged 85, remember his ‘huge legacy’, sense of humour and generosity
Strong start to 2025 for Spanish exports
Volume and value grew through the opening two months of the year, according to Fepex
Food security starts at home
The UK’s dependence on the Mediterranean leaves it vulnerable to the impact of increasingly frequent weather extremes to hit the region, including the devastating floods in southern Spain
Normality returns to Spanish produce business after blackout
Fepex said sector is working hard to return to normal as soon as possible
IGD calls for accelerated AI and robotics adoption
Analyst says greater investment is needed to transform food systems with technology, particularly in the face of the labour cost crunch
Fruitful Ventures underlines quality standards with Bloom brand relaunch
Premium brand is used for select range of products supplied by Olympic Fruit, Hoofdman-Roodzant, and Fresh-Pride
From Brittany, with pride
Prince de Bretagne’s product manager Pierre Gelebart explains how the collective brand allows small-scale market gardening to continue to thrive
Food cannot become ‘the poor relation’
Food production should be given equal weighting alongside environmental issues in pivotal Land Use Framework, warns NFU
East of England Co-op trials new date brand
Datekin looks to position itself as “quick and sustainable energy boost” through trial at selected stores in East Anglia
Flower strips could save growers up to £3k per hectare
Creating habitat for beneficial predators of harmful Rosy Apple Aphid has significant cost benefits for apple growers, a new study has found
AI offers solutions in food supply chain compliance
New tools using Artificial Intelligence signal a shift in how the food industry handles “certification overload”, according to Dutch AI solutions provider Agriplace
Staay confirms ten-day delay on Spanish stonefruit
Dutch importer Staay Food Group says its Spanish stonefruit campaign will begin around ten days later than normal this year due to low temperatures and heavy rainfall in March.
The Greenery to expand Sweet Sensation pear production
Strong sales results in Germany, Scandinavia and southern Europe have apparently bolstered interest among growers
DB Schenker joins DCSA+ partnership programme
The move is seen as a step towards accelerate digital transformation in shipping
Fruit Logistica: Strategies for adapting to changing markets
This Fresh Produce Forum session looked at how flexibility, resilience and adaptability could be improved to survive successfully in volatile and turbulent markets
Is ozone the future of sustainable water treatment?
In the face of growing concerns over water scarcity, Camilla Khrulova, CEO of Sweden’s JC Environment, sees ozone as the environmentally responsible solution to water treatment in the fresh produce sector
Dorì kiwifruit reveals brand refresh and social media launch
Yellow-fleshed fruit will be promoted on range of social media channels as production and demand continues to grow
AgroFresh helps growers pick right time to harvest
New scanner tech Rubens will be on show at Macfrut, alongside the company’s new anti-fungal system for table grapes
Tosca wins EcoVadis gold medal for sustainability – again
Company said the award recognises its commitment to continuous improvement in its sustainability strategy
French plum production set to rise
National trade body predicts 17 per cent increase in production with leading southwest region expected to meet ‘normal’ volume potential
European apricot volumes to return to normal after bumper 2024 crop
Hail in Italy and Greece set to bring down volume in 2025, but French production expected to return to 2019-23 average after slump last year
Dubai chocolate has not caused a pistachio shortage, say experts
There is no lack of supply, say sources, who point to higher production in Turkey and Iran, and a much bigger overall crop worldwide
French organic sales growing again after difficult period
Supermarket saw biggest sales decline after shrinking their organic ranges in response to changing consumer behaviour
Toñifruit teams up with Bio Lobrot to boost organic stonefruit offering
Alliance adds another 1,000 tonnes of stonefruit to its organic fruit portfolio.
Registrations now open for Fruitnet Tropicals Congress
Fruitnet’s flagship tropicals event comes to Antwerp on 24 &25 June
Enrique de los Ríos named president of AECOC F&V committee
He is committed to strengthening the agri-food chain and promoting collaboration amongst its stakeholders
Fresh Direct launches new products
Fresh produce supplier offers 25 new products as part of its ’Taste Like Summer’ launch
Source.ag partners with Axia Vegetable Seeds
Axia Vegetable Seeds is set to integrate Source.ag’s solutions into its Demo Greenhouse to optimise cultivation strategies and boost operational efficiency
Aldi backs British strawberry growers
Retailer says it is cutting the price of its homegrown strawberries to encourage shoppers to buy British
Port of Rotterdam throughput down 5.8 per cent in Q1
Container throughput increased by 2.2 per cent in TEU terms in the first quarter, although it fell in tonnage
Vip expands apple marketing drive with ham and cheese pairings
Second Applepairing campaign brings Val Venosta apples together with premium Italian deli products in retail stores
Late start for Spanish cherries
Delays of between seven and ten days reported across all the main cherry producing regions
Syngenta develops positive pepper properties
Fruitnet talks traits, development and consumption with José Antonio Chicón of Syngenta Vegetable Seeds
Del Monte Europe launches Honeyglow bananas
The banana will be available in limited quantities starting late April across major European countries