Middle East
Fresh produce industry news and analysis from the Middle East.
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
Soviet-era cafe shot wins World Food Photo Awards
World Food Photography Award winners highlight power of food stories and the essential role of food in communities across the world
Analysis: Lemon and avo prices improve, bananas remain under pressure
Fruitnet Insights’ weekly fresh fruit and vegetable update from the GCC markets, brought to you in partnership with Global Star Group
Oranges and chickpeas will be ‘viable UK crops’ under warming climate
Water storage, adaption to sustainable farming and increased domestic production are critical if the UK is to maintain farming viability and food security, according to government climate report
Analysis: Summer surge of stonefruit expected as congestion continues
Fruitnet Insights’ weekly fresh fruit and vegetable update from the GCC markets, brought to you in partnership with Global Star Group
First Comber earlies expected by mid June
New season early Comber potatoes are expected by next month into ‘reasonably steady market’, with Cyprus new potato imports already available
Analysis: Jeddah port congestion and a quality tax on delayed shipments
Fruitnet Insights’ weekly fresh fruit and vegetable update from the GCC markets, brought to you in partnership with Global Star Group
DP World and Al Dahra partner on food security
The partnership will focus on developing end-to-end supply chain solutions for food and agricultural commodities including fresh produce
Innovation helping hospitality supply face current pressures
Geopolitical tensions, energy and labour costs are reshaping catering and hospitality supply, and bringing new opportunities, according to Fresh Direct’s Summer Market Review
Turkish cherry volumes set to recover
This season, Turkish cherry volumes are expected to bounce back in a big way after last year’s frost-bitten campaign
The Fresh Ideas Show: When will people eat more fruit and veg?
Mike Knowles and Maura Maxwell are joined by Chris White as they discuss a major challenge facing the fresh produce business
War ushers in new phase of instability in Iran
Disruptions including temporary port closures and damage to infrastructure have affected the transportation and distribution of fresh produce in Iran
Price wars and production costs
In the latest Fresh Produce Journal Podcast, Nina Pullman is joined by Michael Barker to debate the pros and cons of the Easter price battle on British veg, and Nina visits tomato producer FlavourFresh
South African fruit exports adapt to Middle East conflict
War in the Middle East has disrupted exports, but South African suppliers are finding ways to send citrus and apples to the region
UK citrus market feels impact of Gulf crisis
The UK market has seen a rise in citrus sales over the past year, but all eyes are now on how logistical disruptions in the Middle East are affecting trade flows
Eating more fruit and veg could cut household food bills
Increasing intake of fruit and veg to five-a-day while cutting back on meat and confectionery could help Brits save £550 a year, new research has found
Outside factors impact Port of Antwerp-Bruges results
Weather conditions, strikes and geopolitics hit container traffic during the first quarter of 2026, but investments to strengthen capacity remain a priority
Potential fuel hikes threaten South Africa’s citrus export season
CGA has expressed concern over impending fuel price hikes and additional container surcharges linked to Middle East hostilities