Retail
Fruitnet’s coverage of key developments in the fresh produce retail arena.
Keep calm and berry on: Top takeaways from Fruitnet Berry Congress
Mike Knowles and Maura Maxwell are joined by FPJ editor Fred Searle for a berry-themed edition of The Fresh Ideas Show podcast
Sainsbury’s inks five-year contracts with British berry farms
Supermarket says more than 2,500 British farms will have long-term deals by 2027
Aldi joins Easter price war with 4p veg lines
Aldi cuts Easter veg to 4p for key roasting lines and reduces price of roast dinner to under £2 per person
Easter buoys sales but Middle East war set to reduce spend
Retail sales have risen ahead of the key trading period over Easter, but analysts predict shoppers will cut back when faced with rising prices
Coming Soon: The Produce Plus Podcast
Subscribe to The Produce Plus Podcast ahead of our first episode, coming soon
First new-season Jersey Royals reach M&S stores
Products arrive in 80 stores despite one of the wettest planting seasons on record
Lidl is first recipient of Best British Apple Launch Award
New BAPL award looks to honour retailers who support British apples at the start of the season
BerryWorld strawberries kick off UK season in Ocado
Online retailer is stocking ultra early-season fruit a month earlier than usual
SanLucar launches ‘blue wonders’ campaign for blueberry season
Fresh produce marketer rolls out spring campaign to promote its premium fruit and support sales with retail POS materials
Analysis: How celebrity power could reshape Korea’s banana market
Following the casting of IVE member An Yujin in Dole Korea’s latest campaign, Hyojun Kim breaks down what this could mean for the traditionally price-led category
Asiafruit Fresh Produce India edition out now
Special event issue unpacks key outcomes of India’s new trade agreements, Fresh Focus South African Table Grapes details industry’s push into Asia, plus features on apples and pears, citrus and avocados
Christmas and online sales growth boosts Morrisons
Supermarket also notes highly competitive market and impact of international events
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
Industry leaders to speak at AFL Southeast Asia Meet Up
Senior executives from CP Axtra, T&G Global, Fresh Fruit-X, and Frutura Asia among high-profile figures set to share insights at Bangkok event
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
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
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
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
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
Middle East conflict impacts airfreight options for fresh produce
Some flights have been able to reach Middle Eastern markets to supply fruit and vegetables, but global capacity has dropped as prices rise
Australian avocado industry launches in-store ripeness scanner trial
Ripeness scanner developed by Dutch agri-tech company OneThird uses near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy to rapidly and non-destructively assess avocado firmness
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
Southern Forests growers unite behind Gen Fresh campaign
Television, digital media and retail partnerships highlight the growers behind the produce and encourage consumers to seek out Southern Forests food
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
Aldi to sell a range of Easter veg for 15p
Easter Super Six deal includes savings of up to 89 per cent
Little Joya launches nationwide in Tesco with limited-edition Peppa Pig packs
Activation features collectible co-branded packs and is supported by fully integrated marketing campaign aimed at parents with children
AVA Dalicia strawberries to launch in UK by end of year
Scottish berry breeder hoping for high demand when Mediterranean variety opens for UK sales in 2026/27 following strong performance this season
Amazon Air expands to Northeast India unlocking opportunities for horticulture
New routes will provide faster, more reliable access to the rest of the country
NCP to appeal High Court judgment on Nadorcott
Group to fight on after court ruled Asda had not infringed plant breeders’ rights with sale of Tang Gold mandarins
High court decision on mandarins could have wider implications
UK judge’s decision to dismiss Nador Cott Protection’s case could mean retailers continue to sell Tang Gold variety
‘Resilience is about more than just multiple origins’
Wealmoor CEO Avnish Malde tells Fred Searle about the grower-importer’s rich history, his journey into fresh produce, and why supply resilience is in the firm’s DNA
Joy Wing Mau prepares for IPO on Hong Kong Stock Exchange
Parent company Legend Holdings announces series of equity repurchases, share transfers, and incentive grants as it readies for future listing
Vietnam opportunity for New Zealand cherries
Consumer research suggests Vietnamese shoppers are becoming selective in their food choices with an emphasis on trust in origin
Pallet partnership helps Flamingo’s flower sales bloom
Supplier is working with IPP around key national event
Designing the future of strawberries
Dyson Farming’s Steve Barker shows Nina Pullman round the company’s cutting-edge glasshouse complete with robotic pickers and a vertical, rotating growing system