Sustainability
News and analysis for the international fresh produce business on the theme of sustainability. What is the fruit and vegetable industry doing to protect people, planet, and profit?
Potato growers urged to be vigilant as beetle re-enters UK
Colorado beetle is described as ‘major threat to potato crops’ following confirmed sightings in Kent and suspected hitchhiking on imported produce
Co-op members vote in favour of ceasing trade with Israel
An advisory motion to remove Israeli produce from shelves has passed at the retailer’s AGM with three quarters of members in favour
UK and EU agree major agri-food deal
Removal of checks on fresh produce and plant health certificates among the detail now released under new ‘sanitary and phytosanitary zone’ and major realignment of food safety standards
Anecoop and Asaja help create new Citrusbusters alliance
Group targets development of new tools to combat rising threat of disease brought about by climate change and international trade
New Marshal Papworth student cohort arrives at Harper Adams
Students from six different African countries will take part in the 10-week sustainable agriculture course at Harper Adams as vice chancellor notes benefit of bringing people together
UK fruit and veg consumption remains flat
New government figures on key health indicators show a third of adults manage to reach their five-a-day fruit and veg target
Frutmac strives to offer future-ready packaging
Italian group aims to offer smart products for a sustainable future, in response to the European Union’s new packaging regulations
DP World issues carbon inset certificates in sustainability drive
Produce companies such as Fyffes are among those taking part in the programme
Nutrano Produce successfully trials compostable fruit stickers
Compostable design made in partnership with leading labelling company Sinclair
Lengthy list of challenges for Anton Rabe
The long-serving executive director of Hortgro has taken over as chairperson at Fruit South Africa
The Crown Estate seeks veg and potato farm tenant
A farm tenancy for a specialist green veg and potato grower with environmental ambitions has become available under The Crown Estate
Respite for BayWa as restructuring plan is approved
Agreement offers respite to troubled conglomerate and T&G Global owner, with capital injection and loan extension to end of 2028
Hugh Lowe Farms trials polytunnel solar panels
Electric Berry project powers farm tools and equipment using flexible solar panels attached to top of its polytunnels, with no extra land required
Delhaize and Bakker help veg farmers grow greener
Retailer and supplier establish Cultivation Academy to fund and support development of better production techniques
Coldcha introduces reusable NFC temperature labels
Company says its paper-based NFC label makes temperature registration during transport more sustainable and affordable
Driscoll’s ‘confident’ it can overturn CBC court ruling
Company launches appeal against decision in favour of California Berry Cultivars, which it says infringed its strawberry variety patents
IFOAM welcomes recognition of organic farming in CAP
The European Commission’s description of organic farming as “green by definition” in its CAP simplification proposal shows the key role organics must play, says IFOAM Organics Europe
UK faces medium risk of summer drought
Driest start to spring since 1956 has prompted a meeting of the National Drought Group as salad and veg growers face increased irrigation costs
British Berry Growers report calls on government and retailers to step up
Detailed report highlights uncertain economic outlook and calls for better support on retail returns, labour, planning permission, and funding
New PCN guide summarises latest research and advice
A new guide to manage Potato Cyst Nematode is now available to members of GB Potatoes and CUPGRA with latest evidence-based recommendations
BeeHero launches HeroLink
Unit enables scalable, sustainable, high-fidelity data collection across even remote commercial farmland
Women in industry urged to fill in mental health survey
New survey hopes to fill gaps in knowledge around specific barriers to support and wellbeing among women working in agriculture
Biome Makers teams up with AgList to boost trust in ag biologicals
Products listed on AgList will now feature a Biome Makers badge when they have been tested using its patented BeCrop Trials solution
Golden Bay Fruit releases boxed juice range
Cold-pressed juices a way to use ”imperfect” apples and pears that would otherwise be discarded
Climate change will decimate banana production in Latin America and Caribbean, says report
Christian Aid report suggests almost two-thirds of areas’ banana regions will no longer be able to support the fruit’s production
GreenTech announces award nominees
The jury for the GreenTech Innovation & Concept Awards 2025 picks six finalists from 47 submissions
Avocado Africa 2025 set for Nairobi
The fifth International Africa Avocado Congress takes place in the Kenyan capital on 27-30 May, with a focus on how to boost the competitiveness of African growers
Tesco plans to grow plant-based sales by 300 per cent
Customers are choosing veg as top meat alternative, as Tesco’s latest sustainability report outlines key targets on healthy food sales and emissions reductions
Robots take centre stage as Fruitmasters opens new storage and distribution facility
Sustainability and efficiency are central features of company’s new Smart Fruit Hub near Rotterdam
Growing demand for organic is being ‘handed on a plate’ to EU suppliers
UK growers are unable to match burgeoning demand in organic as new figures show low conversion rates due to uncertain farming policies
Greenvale’s net-zero targets approved by SBTi
Potato supplier aims to cut scope 1 and 2 emissions by 90 per cent by 2045
Fairtrade “remains the go-to ethical label” for shoppers
Clear link to responsibly made products is recognised by consumers of all ages, new research shows
Officials support Italy’s fruit and veg business in face of major challenges
National minister of agriculture and Emilia-Romagna’s president back future growth in country’s fresh produce sector
Major new Essex glasshouse ‘will replace tomato imports’
A 40-hectare low carbon series of glasshouses in Essex is out for consultation as developers say it will provide climate resilient tomato production and replace imports from Holland, Morocco and Spain
Four Frutura companies achieve B Corp certification
CEO David Krause said the certification process has “made Frutura a better company”
Ifad launches first-ever project to help Libyan farmers combat water scarcity
The US$9.2mn investment project will help 57,000 smallholder farmers and pastoralist households in chronically dry areas