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 injects £150mn of new cash into Capital Grants offer
Scheme aims to help farmers fund sustainability and environmental improvements
European Organic Congress calls for stronger organic roots
The European organic community descended on Warsaw, Poland, last month for discussions on the need for adequate funding for organic farming and greater recognition of its role in improving water quality
The Greenery reports €22.1mn profit for 2024
Dutch cooperative reports increased profits and high grower satisfaction with payout prices that apparently outperformed competitors
Wimbledon confirms no ban on avocados amid sustainability debate
The All England Tennis Club has confirmed that avocados remain available at Wimbledon, countering rumours of a ban following sustainability concerns raised in UK media.
Relive Festival of Fresh 2025
The highlights video has landed from Festival of Fresh 2025, which featured big-name speakers, fascinating tours, and this year’s industry awards
New social venture aims to help small farmers sell surplus produce
Researchers from Bristol and Nottingham universities have united to meet a need
Equifruit socks it to low banana prices
At the Organic Produce Summit in the US, Equifruit aims to show how affordable it is to switch to Fairtrade-certified bananas, comparing the cost of the annual premium to that of a single sock
Video: Ica attempts to make fruit and veg cool again
Swedish grocery giant Ica has unveiled a major new initiative aimed at reversing the declining trend of fruit and vegetable consumption among children, with nine out of ten Swedish kids currently falling short of WHO recommendations
Food Taipei Mega Shows brings global food industry together
Five concurrent exhibitions showcase global trends across entire supply chain
Big majority of UK farmers admit climate fears
Few farmers in the UK have escaped the impact of the climate crisis in recent years, with growers calling on the government to help them adapt to increasingly extreme conditions
WRAP calls for more interventions as food waste target set to be missed
Covid patterns and food price rises helped reduce amount of food thrown away
Fruitnet Tomato Congress presents: The Future of Tomatoes
This year’s Fruitnet Tomato Congress takes place in Malaga, Spain, on 11-12 November, with industry experts set to explore how the business is likely to evolve in the coming years
South Australia pushes back plastic fruit sticker ban
State responds to industry calls for more time
DiMuto introduces Indonesian raspberries to Singapore
New market unlocks short-haul benefits including reduced lead times and lowered carbon footprint
Interfel launches ‘Jamais Trop Street’ summer fruit campaign
French fresh produce association combines food trucks and graffiti art in eight-week promotional tour targeting 25-34 year-olds.
South Tyrol’s ‘Apple Walk’ connects tourists with orchard heritage
A new agritourism initiative in Italy’s South Tyrol is bringing visitors closer to the region’s apple production through an innovative educational trail that combines traditional farming knowledge with digital interactivity
Fairtrade adds Turkey to its list of producer countries
Fairtrade International has expanded its geographical scope to include Turkey as a producer country, responding to demand for certified hazelnuts from the region
South African growers join forces to boost grapefruit demand in Europe
A coalition of South African citrus growers is joining forces to rebrand and promote Star Ruby grapefruit in Europe, aiming to shift consumer perceptions from bitter and old-fashioned to sweet, tangy and versatile
Apeam begins delivery of 690,000 pine plants in Michoacán and Jalisco
Move is part of the association’s forest conservation programme
Industry calls for tougher biosecurity controls following illegal import sentencing
Insect riddled fruit and vegetables among the 62 tonnes of illegal product imported from Thailand for Sydney’s black market
Plant & Food Research joins three other CRIs to form New Zealand’s largest research organisation
Bioeconomy Science Institute to advance innovation in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, aquaculture, biotechnology and manufacturing
Ozone: a cleaner, smarter future for fresh produce
In June, MAF Industries hosted Open Days in Wenatchee and California, to give producers rethinking their treatment of water the chance to see ozone in action, says MAF’s Camilla Khrulova
Cold chain industry urges EU to invest in temperature-controlled logistics
The Global Cold Chain Alliance has called for greater recognition of temperature-controlled logistics in strengthening Europe’s food supply resilience during high-level talks with MEPs in Brussels
DP World connects the business
Kai Olschner, DP World’s global vice-president of supply chain engineering, talks major investments and a unique service for Moroccan exporters
One Banana receives prestigious Walmart Trust Award
Family-owned banana supplier One Banana has been recognised with a prestigious Walmart Trust Award, highlighting the company’s excellence in sustainable production and food safety innovation
‘Glastonbury’ of regen farming set to welcome thousands
No-till cultivation, integrating trees with veg production and food policy debates among the wide-ranging sessions relevant to fresh produce sector at Groundswell regen farming festival
Reybanpac receives sustainability award from Guayaquil Chamber of Commerce
Banana company recognised for its social and environmental practices
Fresh Del Monte celebrates International Pineapple Day with “world-first”
Company marks occasion with spotlight on Del Monte Zero, the “first-ever carbon-neutral pineapple”
Signatories join Fairtrade’s Shared ImPact business model
M&S, Co-op and Finlays among the first to sign the commitment
The future is bright for tropicals
Fruitnet Tropicals Congress hears how quality, consistency and better marketing are key to boosting sales
Interpera conference tackles key challenges facing pear industry
Experts met in Hasselt, Belgium to address critical challenges facing the sector, including declining consumption and production difficulties
Coming soon: Produce Plus Spring
Produce Plus Spring includes MOYA winner spotlight and features on sustainability, berries, avocados, salads & herbs and more
Queensland leads on horticultural workplace compliance
Queensland’s Wide Bay and Moreton Bay regions have recorded the lowest non-compliance rates in Australia according to the Fair Work Ombudsman’s latest horticulture report, positioning the state as a national leader in workplace standards
Recycled coconut coir ‘can help producers slash carbon emissions’
Soft fruit growers could reduce their carbon footprint by up to 40 per cent by switching to new recycled alternative, say NIAB researchers
Government includes agriculture in Industrial Strategy
NFU says this will increase growers’ ability to create jobs, reduce emissions, boost productivity, and drive investment
Aldi to offer faster payments for smaller producers
Support from discounter comes in response to dry weather and is intended to help smaller suppliers manage cash flow challenges