Latest news stories from Fresh Produce Journal
News updates for the UK fresh produce business.
Farming Roadmap sets out government vision for agriculture
Seasonal worker visas guaranteed until 2030, a stronger role for co-operatives and extending fair dealing regs to fresh produce are among government plans for farming
Report warns of climate-related food inflation in UK
Many more people in the UK will be unable to afford fresh fruit and vegetables by 2050, the Autonomy Institute states, as heat waves alone are expected to add 68 per cent to the price of a grocery basket
Morocco overtakes Spain as UK’s top mandarin supplier
Combination of Brexit, government investment, and improved access to Nadorcott propels country to top spot
Comment: Fresh produce business pays price of Brexit division
As UK marks decade since it voted to leave EU, Freshfel’s Philippe Binard reflects on bruising ten years for produce traders
Branston promotes Tom Seagrief ahead of capex delivery
Potato supplier’s general manager for prepared has been promoted with additional remit across added value to drive business growth and deliver upcoming capital investment programme
Conversations
Fruitbox 117 · Hein Deprez, Greenyard
Greenyard’s founder discusses the company’s recent privatisation and explains why he sees an urgent need to redefine healthy eating
Fruitbox 116 · Mark Landini, Landini Associates
Sydney-based retail consultant explains how supermarkets can reconnect with customers through better design, storytelling, and a renewed focus on food
Fruitbox 115 · Daniel Sauvaitre & Philippe Binard, World Apple & Pear Association
Recorded live at Prognosfruit 2025, the latest episode of Fruitbox brings you instant reaction to this year’s European apple and pear production forecasts
Spanish fresh produce exports fell 3 per cent in January-April
The country’s fresh fruit and vegetable exports dropped 3 per cent during the opening four months of 2026, with citrus driving the decline
Fruiterers set to explore future of fruit at new conference
Event at NIAB on 25 November delves into cutting-edge research and commercial opportunities for fresh produce sector
Family Tree Farms celebrates 18-year Mountain Blue Orchards partnership
Family Tree Farms retains exclusive rights to programme’s original varieties as partnership evolves
May heatwave spurs summer grocery spending
Grocery sales up by 2.4 per cent year on year, with 10-day heatwave driving demand for barbecue staples, including salads
Driscoll’s Zara named ‘best overall supermarket strawberry’
Variety sold under Waitrose No.1 range has come top in a survey of retailer strawberries in newspaper taste test
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New Defra minister visits NFU president’s farm
Stephen Morgan and Tom Bradshaw discussed challenges facing farming, as the third new Defra minister for Labour in two years takes up role following Angela Eagle’s exit to the Home Office
ESG Drysdale secures £10mn for expansion plans
Scottish veg producer’s funding package from Royal Bank of Scotland will see it invest in production and processing and continue strong growth trajectory
Fieldwork Robotics secures investment from Seed Innovations
The robotic harvesting specialist has received backing from Jim Mellon’s Seed Innovations as part of a £2.5m seed-plus fundraise
Aldi and Iceland pledge to help double UK bean consumption
Retailers among a number of major food businesses to push bean sales, with pulses gaining traction as healthy and affordable sources of protein and fibre
‘Camera tricks’ could be misleading berry robots
Robots’ cameras may be misjudging colour of soft fruit, thereby tricking automated systems designed to judge ripeness
First Comber Earlies arrive in stores
Season begins ahead of schedule in Northern Ireland following “fairly kind” growing season to date
Fepex highlights Brexit impact on Spanish trade
Ten years after the Brexit referendum, Spain’s export volumes to the UK have declined significantly while value has jumped 29 per cent
LiVA Biotechnology and Dyson Farming announce commercial-scale strawberry pilot
Dyson will test LiVA’s prebiotic bio-protection technology during the 2026 winter British strawberry season
Legendary NCGM buyer Bob King retires
Tommy Leighton of the Covent Garden Market Authority reflects on how Le Marché’s buyer contributed to the success of some of the UK’s most prestigious restaurants and hotels
Waitrose launches year-round British samphire thanks to hydroponics
Glasshouse growing method replicates coastal microclimates to allow continuous UK supply