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?
Defra awards councils £155k to improve public procurement
Five English councils have been awarded government grant funding to increase the health, sustainability and local sourcing of food buying, with an emphasis on fruit, veg and pulses
Fairtrade launches Global Strategy 2026-2028
The non-profit organisation’s three-year plan addresses fair prices, market access and climate adaptation
LeaderBrand integrates Laser Weeder into salad leaf production
New Zealand vegetable producer becomes first in the region to use the technology at this scale
Finding the right technology in the berry business
Expert speakers at Fruitnet Berry Congress, which took place in London on 19 March, highlighted the potential of various technological solutions to address issues surrounding labour, energy, quality and waste in the berry category
Tevel secures funding for flying robot harvesters
Israel-based agritech company raises US$18m in Series C funding as it works to address labour shortages in fruit supply chains
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
Food waste research sets out blueprint for redistributing 1bn meals a year
Report shows how cross-industry effort could transform the fight against food insecurity and commercially benefit the food sector
AgroFresh raises prices as conflict drives up costs
Shelf-life extension specialist implements ‘global price adjustment’ to cope with increasing input inflation
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
Driscoll’s launches The Berry Patch Book Club
The berry company has introduced four original digital books for early readers, building on its brand focus on shared family moments
BerryWorld signs up padel’s world number one
Supplier announces Delfi Brea as company’s brand ambassador for 2026, part of a strategy to connect with health-conscious consumers
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
Syngenta invests £100m in UK crop protection research hub
The new biotech and research centre will bring together 300 scientists working with cutting-edge AI technology to fast-track new crop protection products
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
New salad farm to set up 1.1km underground
A new project will explore the potential for underground food production in a working deep sea salt mine off the coast of north east England
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
Brakes takes its chefs and sister companies on the road
Fresh Direct and Country Choice will join parent company Brakes and a raft of development chefs at a series of ‘food expos’ this summer as the foodservice giant takes to the road
Spain sees big jump in organic tropical fruit production
Around 10,300ha of Spain’s 35,000ha of avocado and mango production is now organic
Huelva Riega highlights value of water on World Water Day
Association issues a reminder that efficient water management is crucial to the province’s economic success
Martin Emmett re-elected as NFU Hort chair
Three key re-appointments to the NFU’s Horticulture and Potatoes Board have been confirmed after voting today
BerryWorld launches health-focused campaign for berry category
Leading berry supplier BerryWorld is launching a major health-focused campaign to educate consumers about the nutritional benefits of berries. The initiative, previewed at Fruit Logistica and supported by new consumer research, targets key wellness trends including immunity, gut health and weight management throughout 2026
Oscar Gold kiwifruit season underway in South Africa
France’s Primland says season looks ‘very promising’, as company highlights importance of grower partnerships
Middle East conflict threatens apple and pear growers
War will drive up costs even further for growers who already face heavy administrative burden and labour shortage, says industry body
Food industry ‘must move beyond simply reporting carbon emissions’
Richard Bonn, co-founder of Aethr Associates, argues new approach is needed to unlock true value of decarbonisation
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
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
Turkish farming sector backs digital transformation
Country aims to develop smart farming systems to boost yields, preserve soil and water, help producers adapt to climate change, and strengthen food security
‘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
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
USDA-funded IFPA initiative supports regenerative farming
Eligible crops Include strawberries, tomatoes, carrots, onions, broccoli, kale, specialty greens, sweet potatoes and blueberries
Tropic secures US$105mn to scale gene-edited banana production
Company plans to scale production of climate-resilient and non-browning varieties, with commercial launches due in 2027
Fruits de Ponent commits to greener energy
Catalan cooperative announces creation of Rural Energy Community
Veganic launches Veganic Food Care Programme
Programme integrates IPM and advance soil health strategies for a more sustainable farming model
Growing systems ‘must work with water variability rather than against it’
Ahead of World Water Day on 22 March, AH Worth’s farms director Katie Ford explains how the veg producer is reducing its exposure to water risks by building diversity and resilience into its production methods
NFU meets Defra to discuss impacts of Middle East conflict on UK food sector
Union president Tom Bradshaw stresses need for greater price visibility and access to natural gas for horticultural production