Retail
Fruitnet’s coverage of key developments in the fresh produce retail arena.
Aldi to invest £5bn in long-term British supply deals
Aldi confirms major investment to help achieve goal of buying 50 per cent of all British fresh produce through long-term agreements
Rivoira launches stemless cherry brand for premium snack market
Italian supplier to launch branded line for premium snack market in June, with commercial tests in Italian and German retail stores
Tesco launches new lines as chopped salad ‘craze’ takes off
Retailer has developed three new chopped salads based around crunch and colour as social media trend drives interest in ’big flavour’
Lidl becomes UK’s fifth largest retailer
Discounter has overtaken Morrisons with a new record market share, as elsewhere inflation pressures ease slightly to slowest rate since December 2024
Picota cherries to see ‘best season in years’
Producers of the protected Valley del Jerte variety are forecasting record volumes and excellent quality
Italian fresh produce sales edge up despite economic concerns
Household fruit and vegetable purchases remained stable in the first quarter, but doubt remains over consumer confidence
Comment: Why climate action in food and farming can’t wait
Soil health, water availability and biodiversity are not abstract environmental concepts; they are the foundations of food security, writes McCain CSO Charlie Angelakos
Growing more in the UK won’t solve food security, warns FPC
Trade body raises concerns that the new EU-UK reset deal, and calls to produce more domestically, threaten UK imports from further afield
Supermarkets scoff at price cap proposal
UK’s big food retailers pour scorn on government’s suggestion of price caps on essential items to ease cost of living crisis
Tesco opens applications for ninth annual Agri-Tech Challenge
Retailer invites innovators to submit solutions that might help build more resilient, sustainable and productive food supply chains
Co-op strengthens support for UK potato growers
The UK retailer has introduced ‘best of season’ potato packs as it looks to make greater use of a broader range of homegrown varieties
Certification matters for compostable claims, says Sinclair
Sinclair’s Duncan Jones discusses sustainability claims, consumer understanding, and the value of transparency and clarity
SE Asia Meet Up explores ripe market opportunities
High consumption potential, bright prospects for brands, and growing intra-Asia trade highlighted across insight-filled programme
The most influential people in produce
In the latest episode of FPJ’s podcast, Nina, Michael and Fred share their top three most influential people in the sector today.
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
Focus on progress over perfection
When it comes to encouraging consumers to eat more fruit and vegetables, demanding too much too quickly has an unfortunate tendency to backfire, says Barbara Bray of Alo Solutions
Comment: 4p veg promotions hurt the whole supply chain
Jim Padfield of Essex potato grower H Padfield & Sons highlights the overlooked impact of the major multiples’ 4p veg promotions on the wholesale and foodservice sectors
Festival of Fresh 2026 attracts major UK retailers
Major retail buyers will attend Festival of Fresh, one of Europe’s most important networking occasions for the fresh produce business
Florette introduces price-marked salad packs for independent retailers
Salad supplier launches new packs with recommended retail price incorporated into bag designs for first time
Albertsons builds AI quality control tool for fruit and veg
Retailer welcomes next step towards ‘future of agentic commerce’ as it works with Google to roll out system for berries and grapes
Asda unveils major fresh and frozen range revamp
Retailer has announced the biggest upgrade across product, price and in-store environment in recent years, included dedicated staff in fresh produce aisles, free fruit for children and new lower prices
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
British strawberries ‘slow but worth the wait’
UK crop has been delayed due to a cooler spring but flavour is expected to be very strong due to slower ripening conditions
Government plans to treble food redistribution
The Prime Minister has announced new plans to treble the amount of surplus food available for redistributions, as Wrap calls on all partners to step up efforts
Oddbox and Mindful Chef unite at Oakland International site
Fresh produce delivery service opens door to expansion as it joins meal kit company at Redditch distribution centre
Aldi Süd brings back exclusive Aldina strawberry variety
Retailer reintroduces fruit grown with partner Frutania and offers customers money-back guarantee as German season
M&S unveils four vertically-farmed salad mixes
The new launches, including baby garlic kale and sorrel leaves, are packed within 60 seconds and offer five days extended shelf life
‘Lots of demand, not enough of the right supply’ in mangoes
Lewey Hook, the technical director at SHP Tropical, gives FPJ a brief round-up of some of the key developments affecting mango supply to the UK
Nanna Tate launches baby potatoes into Tesco
Branston-owned potato brand is responding to sustained demand for convenience and scratch cooking with new easy prep range
Minor, Weir & Willis launches ‘linerless’ avocado packaging
Supplier collaborates with partners to develop sustainable solution for best-selling ready-to-eat twin-packs
Zespri runs debut TV advert in UK as Morrisons sells first branded packs
Kiwifruit brand’s British market promotions now part of wider European campaign, with further retail partnerships expected to drive demand
Cobrey Farms launches first British Tenderstem of season into Tesco
Herefordshire grower builds seasonal excitement with earliest boxes in just its second year of Tenderstem production
Angela Eagle, Sainsbury’s and M&S among the big-name speakers at Festival of Fresh
From Defra minister Dame Angela Eagle to Sainsbury’s category director Hannah O’Reilly and M&S senior salads buyer Matt Buckingham, event on 10 June features a host of leading voices
M&S breaks ground on new NDC
The £340 million facility will significantly increase capacity and efficiency as retailer moves towards target to double food business
British Tomato Fortnight puts focus on snacking
Wide-ranging industry campaign is putting the emphasis on healthy snacking for lunchboxes and World Cup get-togethers, with samples going out to digital influencers, chefs and key media figures
ClemenGold adopts Sinclair’s compostable T55 label
ClemenGold partners with labelling leader Sinclair to utilise the world’s first fruit label certified for both home and industrial composting