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?
New app a ‘game-changer’ for farm management
Jon Stewart, the main man behind MeritAgCheck, tells FPJ how the new app is revolutionising farm management and simplifying health and safety
UK’s first citrus grove is ‘sign of warmer climate’
Comments in newspaper report suggest UK might also one day produce its own bananas and avocados
Food security starts at home
The UK’s dependence on the Mediterranean leaves it vulnerable to the impact of increasingly frequent weather extremes to hit the region, including the devastating floods in southern Spain
IGD calls for accelerated AI and robotics adoption
Analyst says greater investment is needed to transform food systems with technology, particularly in the face of the labour cost crunch
From Brittany, with pride
Prince de Bretagne’s product manager Pierre Gelebart explains how the collective brand allows small-scale market gardening to continue to thrive
Food cannot become ‘the poor relation’
Food production should be given equal weighting alongside environmental issues in pivotal Land Use Framework, warns NFU
East of England Co-op trials new date brand
Datekin looks to position itself as “quick and sustainable energy boost” through trial at selected stores in East Anglia
Flower strips could save growers up to £3k per hectare
Creating habitat for beneficial predators of harmful Rosy Apple Aphid has significant cost benefits for apple growers, a new study has found
IFPA urges science-based standards for organics
Association has made comments to the National Organic Standards Board on key challenges facing the sector.
AI offers solutions in food supply chain compliance
New tools using Artificial Intelligence signal a shift in how the food industry handles “certification overload”, according to Dutch AI solutions provider Agriplace
End Food Waste Australia appoints new CEO
Tristan Butt succeeds EFWA founder Steven Lapidge, who will join the board as a non-executive director
Fruit Logistica: Strategies for adapting to changing markets
This Fresh Produce Forum session looked at how flexibility, resilience and adaptability could be improved to survive successfully in volatile and turbulent markets
Is ozone the future of sustainable water treatment?
In the face of growing concerns over water scarcity, Camilla Khrulova, CEO of Sweden’s JC Environment, sees ozone as the environmentally responsible solution to water treatment in the fresh produce sector
AgroFresh helps growers pick right time to harvest
New scanner tech Rubens will be on show at Macfrut, alongside the company’s new anti-fungal system for table grapes
Climate pressure puts NZ apple exporter Scales on alert
Company’s second CRD report lays out plans for further development of environment-focused projects
SanLucar and VFB Stuttgart make RSA dreams come true
Football legends Cacau and David Kannemeyer attend opening of new sports ground and training programme
Tosca wins EcoVadis gold medal for sustainability – again
Company said the award recognises its commitment to continuous improvement in its sustainability strategy
European apricot volumes to return to normal after bumper 2024 crop
Hail in Italy and Greece set to bring down volume in 2025, but French production expected to return to 2019-23 average after slump last year
French organic sales growing again after difficult period
Supermarket saw biggest sales decline after shrinking their organic ranges in response to changing consumer behaviour
South Africa’s honey bees are under threat
Healthy bee populations are key to agriculture in South Africa, with 50 different crops relying on pollination for their success
Hortifrut celebrates worldwide B Corp certification
Company said accreditation reaffirms its commitment to the highest standards of social and environmental performance
Bio-methane lorries drive sustainability at Wilson’s Country
Co Armagh potato processor is making a series of investments to reduce its carbon footprint
Oppy and Deep offer greenhouse partnership update
Year-long partnership is on track to deliver one of Canada’s greenest and most innovative greenhouses, utilising Deep’s geothermal energy expertise
Extra £700k for organic waste project
Aston University is leading work on finding uses for agricultural waste and other waste streams
Mexican avocado industry unveils new sustainability plan
Plan tackles four key environmental areas and works toward net-zero emissions by 2035
Turkish crops hit by severe frost
Turkish authorities are calling it one of the worst cold spells in the country’s recent history, with crops including stonefruit, apples, grapes, vegetables and nuts all badly impacted
Angus Soft Fruits boss publishes report on growing share of value chain
John Gray’s Nuffield Farming study highlights potential of gene-editing, data-driven production and new markets to help growers improve returns
Sinclair shares progress on roll out of compostable PLU sticker
Company said it is reinforcing its commitment to sustainability through continued innovation and collaboration in the fresh produce industry
Duroc tomatoes strengthen position on European market
Morocco’s tomato export industry has undergone significant developments during a season marked by both opportunities and challenges, according to Fatiha Charrat, deputy general director of Delassus
The wild potential of AI
Given the plethora of potential uses in the fresh produce sector, AI undoubtedly has the power to reshape the business, but its ability to create certainty for growers comes with a dose of unpredictability
Jaguar begins grassroots impact programme
Harvest of Hope aimed at improving the lives of members of the communities from which it sources its fruit
Turkish stonefruit battles through cold spell
Turkish exporters anticipate a good cherry season despite an untimely bout of frost across various stonefruit regions, which has hit apricot and cherry production in some areas
IFCO’s SmartCycle “transforms sustainability principles into action”
The reusable packaging solutions provider is celebrating two years of sustainable innovation at Dannstadt Service Centre with the release of a behind-the-scenes video
Freshfel sets out FreshProducePEFCR progress
At an event in Brussels, the organisation outlined the next steps for its implementation in the F&V sector
Ocean pollution is UK shoppers’ biggest plastic concern, study shows
Microplastics and their impact on oceans and waterways is biggest concern among British consumers regarding plastic packaging, research shows
Fresh Del Monte buys majority stake in avocado oil business Avolio
Deal advances Del Monte’s strategy of turning agricultural by-products into high-value, sustainable ingredients