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?
Slovenian company targets year-round lettuce supply
Panvita’s collaboration with Rijk Zwaan is set to produce its first crop this month, as demand for local, 12-month supply continues to grow
Morrisons’ Sustainable Farm Network reveals big emissions cut
Supermarket is working closely with farmer suppliers to reduce their impact
‘Berries should be fun’: Angus Soft Fruits launches brand refresh
Significant investment and theatrical marketing strategy behind Good Natured Berries aims to ‘shake up the berry aisle with joyful shelf appeal’
Akorn launches natural cucumber coating
Edible cucumber coating ”could spell end to single-use plastic wraps” on supermarket shelves
Banana workers face ‘worsening crisis’, says new report
ITUC’s latest Global Rights Index suggests worker rights have been diminished in various parts of the world
NGO tells Chiquita: ‘return to Panama and reinstate workers’
Global Labor Justice accuses company of historic violations and being in breach of international conventions on labour rights
Coles awards A$3.5mn to Australian growers
Eleven small and medium-sized Australian businesses receive grants from latest round of Coles Nurture Fund
IFPA ANZ announce partnership with The Wiggles
The children’s entertainers join national push to get children eating more fruit and veg
Enza Zaden UK celebrates 40 years
From its humble beginnings on the south coast of England in 1985, the breeding company looks back at how it has grown to become a trusted partner to growers across the UK
MAF Industries redefines process water
In the US, MAF Industries is demonstrating that process water is a resource to be harnessed for superior fruit quality, reduced waste and enhanced shelf life, with open days planned for 11-12 June in Wenatchee, Washington
Stannuco shows benefits of automation in aubergines
Belgian aubergine producer Stannuco’s automated greenhouse is the result of more than a decade of observation, experience and learning, according to owner Steven Van Nuffelen
Horticulture Awards for Excellence finalists announced
Winners to be announced at Hort Connections Gala Dinner of 6 June
Nuffield Scholar joins Red Tractor to review food safety standards
Barbara Bray MBE appointed chair of Red Tractor Fresh Produce Technical Advisory Committee to enhance food safety standards
Final hours to register for Festival of Fresh 2025
Don’t miss FPJ’s summer festival in Spalding, featuring big-name speakers, top-level networking, and exclusive tours of the Worldwide Fruit packhouse
Growers face PO funding cliff edge
Sector fighting for concerns to be heard that ending current funding for English and Welsh POs will see loss of vital innovation, threaten small growers, and create unlevel playing field across UK and Europe
Chiquita pulls admin staff out of Panama as strike continues
Company has apparently requested government permission to sack all of its remaining banana workers in the country
Quality key for Belgian curly endives
Dirk Declercq, chairman of the REO auction in Roeselare, West Flanders, believes specialist, high-end products like curly endives still have an important role to play at the auction
BayWa’s produce sales improve, but restructuring plan approval still pending
As conglomerate attempts to bring down costs and focus on more profitable areas of business, its fruit and veg sales have increased
Challenging campaign for Greek strawberries
Greek strawberry producers have faced significant challenges this past season, including unfavourable weather conditions, labour availability issues and high costs, but Labidino eyes expansion in 2025/26
Compostable packaging – a solution beyond PPWR mandates
The fresh produce packaging industry faces both challenges and opportunities, according to Patrick Gerritsen of Bio4Pack
Video: Tour the new Essex glasshouse
Max MacGillivray visits the site of a major new Essex glasshouse to find out more about the development
World-first data ‘cube’ to revolutionise soil health mapping
Growers will have access to cutting-edge soil health modelling that has used AI to build digital twin of earth and map soil patterns through time and space
Packaging’s pivotal fresh produce role
Nancy Nicholas, senior development engineer and food scientist for Amcor, looks at the key challenges facing the fresh produce packaging business and champions its contribution to a sustainable future
Vip automates apple production with AI and robotics
In the Italian region of Val Venosta, the introduction of smart technologies has apparently transformed supply chains
One Banana launches regenerative agriculture pilot
The initiative, in partnership with WWF and Earth University, aims to “lay the groundwork for healthier soils, more resilient ecosystems and a more sustainable global food system”
Festival of Fresh 2025 attracts top retail buyers
A number of Britain’s biggest grocers will be at FPJ’s summer festival on 5 June for a day of top-level networking, insightful interviews and festival fun
Fruitnet Presents: How to square the sustainability circle?
Key players from production, packaging and labelling discuss opportunities and challenges presented by today’s need for environmental sustainability
Potato grower fined £20k is a ‘warning for industry’
A farming partnership has been fined £20k after an employee trapped their leg in a harvester machine, as watchdog warns it will not hesitate to take action
Suppliers asked for feedback on GCA
Retail suppliers are being asked to share anonymous views on how the watchdog Groceries Code Adjudicator is performing its role of monitoring retailer behaviour
Agroponiente joins Aecoc’s Food Waste Prevention Committee
Move aligns with company’s sustainability strategy
M&S extends Tenderstem season as Plan A bears fruit
Premium retailer has worked with growers to extend British veg season using polytunnels and is trialling precision pollination to boost strawberry yields
Analysis confirms Fairtrade’s positive impact
Review of 122 studies finds that Fairtrade is contributing to several areas of sustainable and ethical trade
Pakistan launches mango export season with 125,000-tonne goal
Achieving the export goal could see Pakistan generate US$100mn and significantly boost its agricultural exports
NZFN teams up with kiwifruit industry to tackle food insecurity
Big players including Zespri and Seeka donate excess kiwifruit to NZFN to increase access to nutritious food and reduce food waste
Hussey & Co celebrates 50 years with launch of Hussey Group
New national grower processor entity to combine baby leaf processing network into Australia-wide supply chain
Local focus for Belgian suppliers
Global instability is encouraging Belgian suppliers to stay close to home when it comes to strawberry and tomato exports, with the UK remaining a key destination despite the post-Brexit uncertainty