Middle East
Fresh produce industry news and analysis from the Middle East.
Fresh sanctions add pressure to Iranian produce trade
Traders struggle with rising costs as US sanctions on Iran increase restrictions on banking, payments, insurance and transport
Analysis: Apple softening, lemon floors drop, and the systemic toll of the South African season
Fruitnet Insights’ weekly fresh fruit and vegetable update from the GCC markets, brought to you in partnership with Global Star Group
Unifrutti strengthens Latin American and global farming leadership team
Juan Pablo Casas joins as head of Latin America, Javier Martinez promoted to the newly created role of group head of farming
Hapag-Lloyd confirms Suez Canal return for Asia-Europe service
Group’s Umm Qarn vessel to become first westbound Gemini SE1 sailing to transit the Suez Canal and Red Sea
Global disruption puts maritime trade resilience in spotlight
DP World’s latest whitepaper looks at why adaptable trade corridors are becoming critical as established shipping routes face mounting pressure
Analysis: Stable wholesale baselines, citrus pressures, and the warehouse logistical gridlock
Fruitnet Insights’ weekly fresh fruit and vegetable update from the GCC markets, brought to you in partnership with Global Star Group
Analysis: Banana prices drop as South African pears and Australian carrots surge
Fruitnet Insights’ weekly fresh fruit and vegetable update from the GCC markets, brought to you in partnership with Global Star Group
Tathmeer launches agri-tech innovation centre in UAE
The crowdfunding platform has announced the launch of the MENA region’s first Integrated Agri-Tech Innovation Centre to boost food security and sustainable farming in the UAE
‘Market diversification and coordinated picking key amid volatile avocado supply’
Westfalia Fruit’s Hans Boyum discusses the European avocado market’s dramatic swing from over- to undersupply, strategies to mitigate climate change, and opportunities to increase consumption
Interfel offers “taste of France” in Madrid
French exporters will showcase the diversity of their produce at Fruit Attraction in Madrid, as Interfel stresses the need to adapt to climate change and rebuild consumption
AgroBerries eyes blueberry export expansion in Asia
China and India are key targets for the supplier’s Southern African fruit amid ongoing market disruption in the Middle East
Analysis: Stable wholesale floors and the carrier accountability wall
Fruitnet Insights’ weekly fresh fruit and vegetable update from the GCC markets, brought to you in partnership with Global Star Group
Analysis: KSA wholesale prices hold steady while Jeddah Port bottlenecks
Fruitnet Insights’ weekly fresh fruit and vegetable update from the GCC markets, brought to you in partnership with Global Star Group
Comment: Fresh produce is hugely important and woefully undervalued
New technologies could transform fruit and veg supply, but the business must overcome its damaging perception problem
Germany leads EU charge for Spanish fresh produce exports
Data from Fepex shows Spain’s fresh produce export value climbed to €11.6bn in H1 2026, with Germany, France, and the UK the country’s top customers
DP World confirms closure of freight platform SeaRates
Ex-employees launch new ventures as group closes digital freight marketplace, part of a wider restructuring programme
Analysis: Jeddah port clearance delays trigger price divergence
Fruitnet Insights’ weekly fresh fruit and vegetable update from the GCC markets, brought to you in partnership with Global Star Group
South Africa cuts citrus export forecast again amid mounting seasonal pressures
The CGA has revised its 2026 season export estimates downward to 197.9mn cartons, citing the closure of Middle East trade routes as a major factor
Analysis: Regional markets hold steady as supply chain realities shape trade
Fruitnet Insights’ weekly fresh fruit and vegetable update from the GCC markets, brought to you in partnership with Global Star Group
Comment: Why ports matter more to fresh produce than we think
From inspection times to storage, the period between vessel arrival and inland distribution can make or break the shelf-life of fresh produce
DP World announces H1 revenue bump
DP World has delivered robust first-half revenue growth of 13.1 per cent to US$12.7bn, with its network absorbing the impact of reduced traffic at Jebel Ali
Analysis: Avocado prices surge while citrus faces downward pressure
Fruitnet Insights’ weekly fresh fruit and vegetable update from the GCC markets, brought to you in partnership with Global Star Group
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