Middle East
Fresh produce industry news and analysis from the Middle East.
FPC launches new action pack to help sector reach MPs
Email templates expressing the risks to produce imports from the rest of the world under the new EU-UK reset deal are available at the new hub, along with a petition signed by kitchen staff and catering suppliers to protect diversity of sourcing
Analysis: Margin squeeze hits citrus trade
Fruitnet Insights’ weekly fresh fruit and vegetable update from the GCC markets, brought to you in partnership with Global Star Group
Analysis: Massive Jeddah 'shipment flush' triggers lemon price drops
Fruitnet Insights’ weekly fresh fruit and vegetable update from the GCC markets, brought to you in partnership with Global Star Group
Triple win for The Summer Berry Company at Excellent Taste Awards
Petra and Karima strawberries and Malaika raspberries awarded for flavour and quality
South African citrus industry laments further escalation of Middle East war
CGA chief executive Dr Boitshoko Ntshabele warns that the resumption of Middle East hostilities poses a serious threat to South African citrus exports
Analysis: South African lemon prices drop as port flows improve
Fruitnet Insights’ weekly fresh fruit and vegetable update from the GCC markets, brought to you in partnership with Global Star Group
First international export shipment departs Navi Mumbai airport
Air India Cargo ships guavas to the UAE as airport commences international cargo operations
Consumers buying less food to counter inflation
New government data has found over half of Brits are buying less food as rising prices top list of consumer concerns
Analysis: Market corrections underway as some stability returns to ports
Fruitnet Insights’ weekly fresh fruit and vegetable update from the GCC markets, brought to you in partnership with Global Star Group
The FPJ Big 50 Products: How fresh produce must adapt to a new normal
Waves of overlapping geopolitical conflict and climate extremes are creating tough conditions for fresh produce sales, but it’s clear innovation still pays off, writes Nina Pullman
Analysis: Overland freight costs and reefer deficits squeeze margins
Fruitnet Insights’ weekly fresh fruit and vegetable update from the GCC markets, brought to you in partnership with Global Star Group
Tempestuous season takes toll on South African grape trade
Geopolitical, logistical and climate disruptions all combine to prompt major shakeup in country’s grape export business
France’s Interfel urges sector to think global
France must embrace the interconnectedness of the world if it wants to secure the future of fresh produce in the country, says Interfel president Daniel Sauvaitre
Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd restart Gemini service via Suez
Container lines to send Majestic Maersk vessel via Red Sea and Suez Canal following security assessments
Cherry milestone for India
First shipment of Areko cherries and Scentrose plums sent to the UAE
How EU realignment risks global fruit imports
In the latest FPJ Podcast, Nina Pullman is joined by the FPC’s Nigel Jenney to discuss how the EU-UK reset deal could spell trouble for imports
Analysis: Terminal clearance offers relief amid broader maritime uncertainty
Fruitnet Insights’ weekly fresh fruit and vegetable update from the GCC markets, brought to you in partnership with Global Star Group
New Defra minister visits NFU president’s farm
Stephen Morgan and Tom Bradshaw discussed challenges facing farming, as the third new Defra minister for Labour in two years takes up role following Angela Eagle’s exit to the Home Office
Analysis: Just-in-time model ‘effectively dead’ in Gulf countries
Fruitnet Insights’ weekly fresh fruit and vegetable update from the GCC markets, brought to you in partnership with Global Star Group
Pakistani mango exports fall as Gulf conflict disrupts trade
Local traders expect drop in exports by at least 30 per cent amid ongoing impacts of fighting in Middle East
Southampton set to install two of Europe’s largest quay cranes
Port operator DP World says £60m investment will boost capacity and future-proof operations at one of UK’s largest container terminals
Analysis: Market stabilises as cross-border rules change
Fruitnet Insights’ weekly fresh fruit and vegetable update from the GCC markets, brought to you in partnership with Global Star Group
Philippine banana industry readies for comeback
New technological investments, market diversification and revitalisation provide a hedge against the Philippines’ eroding market share, ongoing TR4 challenges and the latest geopolitical unrest
Mislabelling issue returns, as Israeli settlements under scrutiny
The EU Commission is set to propose ways to restrict trade with Israeli settlements, as new report sheds light on scale of problem on European markets
The Fresh Ideas Show: El Niño and Trump create waves of disruption
Mike Knowles and Maura Maxwell consider the potential impact of a Super El Niño and continued geopolitical tensions
Chiquita expands banana snack campaign with summer relaunch
Starting in the US, the banana brand is relaunching its consumer campaign, with an emphasis on snacking and enjoyment
Analysis: Port gridlock and transport shortages trigger intense price splits
Fruitnet Insights’ weekly fresh fruit and vegetable update from the GCC markets, brought to you in partnership with Global Star Group
Importers urged to consider impact of checks on non-EU produce
Checks on imports from the rest of the world could raise food prices and jeopardise ‘just in time’ supply, while spreading risk across shipping lines and ports is helping suppliers take control, Festival of Fresh delegates told
NFU outlines fertiliser resilience plan
A ‘trigger point’ that would allow growers to claim back higher fertiliser costs and better transparency in market pricing are among the union’s asks
Progress for South African grapes despite ongoing challenges
The country’s table grape sector showed resilience during 2025/26, achieving record inspection volumes of 81.25m cartons
Dubai’s circular GigaFarm vertical facility nears first harvest
Intelligent Growth Solutions and ReFarm Global Investments are completing the first phase of their vertical farming facility in Dubai’s Food Tech Valley
New service helps Philippines expand pineapples shipments to Middle East
Country signals major export push as consignment of MD2 pineapples from Mindanao embarks on new commercial route to UAE
Challenges mount for Lebanese growers
Lebanon’s producers fear the impact of a widening war, as the country remains intertwined with that of regional, even global, trade
New international network brings together protected horticulture sector
Wageningen University has launched a new membership network for those working in controlled and protected horticulture to share best practice and the latest research from around the world
Analysis: Logistical shifts reshape regional routes amid summer slowdown
Fruitnet Insights’ weekly fresh fruit and vegetable update from the GCC markets, brought to you in partnership with Global Star Group