Finding the right technology in the berry business
Expert speakers at Fruitnet Berry Congress, which took place in London on 19 March, highlighted the potential of various technological solutions to address issues surrounding labour, energy, quality and waste in the berry category
Tevel secures funding for flying robot harvesters
Israel-based agritech company raises US$18m in Series C funding as it works to address labour shortages in fruit supply chains
Del Monte deal offers Italian company chance to expand
For the boss of Spreafico, one of Italy’s leading importer-exporters, its new brand partnership means plenty of fresh opportunity
New campaign to promote European avocados and mangoes
Spanish group Intertropic rolls out €9mn marketing project with EU support, starting in Spain and extending to France, Italy, and the UK
Spanish fresh produce exports decline 8.5 per cent in January
Citrus, particularly oranges and mandarins, drove the decrease, while persimmon exports showed strong growth
Licensed apples are ‘priority’ as Vip enjoys club classics
As Cosmic Crisp becomes Europe’s first year-round apple, South Tyrolean association says club varieties are at centre of its commercial plan
Food waste research sets out blueprint for redistributing 1bn meals a year
Report shows how cross-industry effort could transform the fight against food insecurity and commercially benefit the food sector
AgroFresh raises prices as conflict drives up costs
Shelf-life extension specialist implements ‘global price adjustment’ to cope with increasing input inflation
Food redistribution rates drop slightly
Food redistribution is increasing as demand continues to grow, with storage facilities and untapped surplus from farms identified as areas of potential growth, according to new Wrap figures
Olympic Fruit celebrates 25 years of growth
Its founder is credited with introducing the first seedless grapes to European retailers, as well as the 500g grape punnet lid
BerryWorld signs up padel’s world number one
Supplier announces Delfi Brea as company’s brand ambassador for 2026, part of a strategy to connect with health-conscious consumers
French growers seek new opportunities in Ecuador
Producers looking to expand apple exports to the Andean nation and open the door to other products
Comment: The quiet recalibration of India’s fruit imports
Soma Sengputa, trade advisor at Flanders Investment & Trade, unpacks the true impact of India’s recent free trade deal ‘blitz’
Yuksel Seeds joins International Fresh Produce Association
The seed research and production company says joining IFPA represents a significant step in its international growth strategy
Monaghan uses dull weather to push Vit-D mushrooms
Monaghan is promoting its UV-enhanced mushrooms to sun-starved Scots after weeks of dull weather as it celebrates 25 years of supply into Asda
Produce prices ‘will rise’ due to Middle East conflict
Wholesalers are reporting shortages of Israeli produce and warn ‘extreme costs’ will be passed on, as inflation is expected to hit homegrown salad veg and retail food prices within six weeks
Syngenta invests £100m in UK crop protection research hub
The new biotech and research centre will bring together 300 scientists working with cutting-edge AI technology to fast-track new crop protection products
Is the UK grape market heading from feast to famine?
Analysis from UK fruit importer Richard Hochfeld predicts a switch from a demand-driven to a supply-driven market in the UK around week 16
Fresh produce tariffs cut as Australia and EU finalise FTA
Fresh trade opportunities on offer for exporters of both markets as negotiations on new FTA conclude
Unifrutti Group launches premium blood orange juice with Sam’s Club China
Collaboration expands Unifrutti’s premium Mediterranean offering in China with one of the first blood orange juices available in the region
New salad farm to set up 1.1km underground
A new project will explore the potential for underground food production in a working deep sea salt mine off the coast of north east England
Labour MP calls for debate on farmer co-ops
A ’co-op shaped food system’ can help keep costs down and strengthen food security, according to Labour MP calling for new debate on how to expand agricultural co-ops in the UK
Brakes takes its chefs and sister companies on the road
Fresh Direct and Country Choice will join parent company Brakes and a raft of development chefs at a series of ‘food expos’ this summer as the foodservice giant takes to the road
Spain sees big jump in organic tropical fruit production
Around 10,300ha of Spain’s 35,000ha of avocado and mango production is now organic
Spanish POs to receive €413mn funding from EU in 2026
Spain once again becomes the trading bloc’s main recipient of this type of aid, with 33 per cent of the total
Spanish strawberry sales pick up
Volumes recovering by week 11, but raspberry and blueberry production dip
Huelva Riega highlights value of water on World Water Day
Association issues a reminder that efficient water management is crucial to the province’s economic success
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
Martin Emmett re-elected as NFU Hort chair
Three key re-appointments to the NFU’s Horticulture and Potatoes Board have been confirmed after voting today
Berry supply chain collaboration ‘essential’ amid significant cost pressures
Nick Marston, chairman of British Berry Growers, shares his thoughts on the impact of the Middle East conflict as the peak UK berry season approaches
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
BerryWorld launches health-focused campaign for berry category
Leading berry supplier BerryWorld is launching a major health-focused campaign to educate consumers about the nutritional benefits of berries. The initiative, previewed at Fruit Logistica and supported by new consumer research, targets key wellness trends including immunity, gut health and weight management throughout 2026
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
Oscar Gold kiwifruit season underway in South Africa
France’s Primland says season looks ‘very promising’, as company highlights importance of grower partnerships
Middle East conflict threatens apple and pear growers
War will drive up costs even further for growers who already face heavy administrative burden and labour shortage, says industry body