Markets news from Fresh Produce Journal
Essential stories, analysis and research from UK’s fresh produce markets, with a focus on retail, wholesale, marketing, and consumers.
Fischer Farms secures Red Tractor and GlobalGAP accreditations
Vertical farming business says achievement brings the company one step closer to supplying the major supermarkets
All change for Peruvian avocado markets
Chile enters the top three destinations for first half of 2023, displacing the US market
Oddbox and Penrhos Spirits launch 'wonky' gin
Two food-waste-fighting firms join forces to create limited edition spirit made with out-of-spec cucumbers and apples
Blueberry sector touts fruit’s brain benefits
Fruit’s cognitive benefits are down to their antioxidant and phytochemical properties, which combat inflammation and potentially improve blood flow
Mushrooms positioned as energy-boosting ‘super food’
Marketing campaign aims to increase limited awareness of vegetable’s vitamin B content as people’s diet suffers during cost-of-living crisis
Sunny June to boost flavour of British apples
Sunniest June for 66 years leaves British growers expecting a great-tasting crop, but volumes are set to contract after last year’s heat and a cooler spring
Look who’s talking… at Global Tropicals Congress
Top names gather at Fruitnet’s new meeting point for the tropical and exotic fresh produce business.
Aldi trials ‘sensory-friendly’ shopping hours
The UK’s fourth largest supermarket is offering quieter shopping hours in selected stores in a bid to be more inclusive of customers with invisible disabilities
Hospitality hit by inflation
Hospitality firms account for 10 per cent of UK businesses filing for administration in 2023, analysis reveals
Fresh Direct tastes success
The UK foodservice fresh produce wholesaler scoops six Great Taste Awards for range of products
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Defra pushes back food waste reporting mandate
Compulsory food waste reporting will not be required of large UK food and drink companies until 2026 at the earliest, Government announces
Earth & Wheat launches wonky fruit box
Wonky bread and veg business moves into fruit as its mission to bring down food waste continues
OPINION: ‘Supermarket promotions aren’t working for the grower’
Northamptonshire-based farming correspondent Rupert Knowles argues that supermarket promotions often represent a loss for the producer that they simply cannot afford
M&S rolls out AgriSound pollinator tech to 18 more farms
In-field noise sensor tech extended to additional M&S Select farms following 2022 trials to help growers track pollinators and boost quality, yields, and biodiversity
Tesco: “Our suppliers want certainty”
Tesco’s Dominic Morrey stressed the importance of long-term certainty for producers at a Lords horticulture inquiry, naming fair pricing and a workable seasonal workers scheme as priorities
Aldi to donate summer meals
The discounter announces biggest-ever meal donations over school holidays
Parsnip sales bounce back
From zero to hero: fresh parsnips enjoy 2023 sales resurgence, Kantar figures show
Fresh Direct partners with Fischer Farms
The UK foodservice supplier has teamed up with vertical farming pioneers to boost supply chain sustainability
Scale up free school meals, says Jamie Oliver
The celebrity chef also calls for every school-leaver to know how to cook 10 dishes and government action to combat junk food advertising
UK consumers overlook “cheap” carrots
Ultra-low pricing hasn’t translated into higher 2022-23 UK carrot sales, despite cash-strapped consumers seeking bargains