How UK retailers are responding to rising demand for online supermarket shopping

The numbers of consumers turning to online shopping during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic was not surprising given lockdowns throughout the UK. However, once the nation fully opened up, it would have been natural for online orders to ebb. That hasn’t happened. Asda reported this week that its online grocery sales last year […]

Colombia cements its status as one of top suppliers of avocados to UK

Fresca Group inks deal promoting Colombian avocados in UK

During the first quarter of 2024, the Hass Avocado Producers and Exporters Corporation of Colombia (CorpoHass) reported significant growth in the industry’s contribution to the nation’s economy. The avocado sector’s input to Colombia’s Gross Domestic Product surged by 150%, representing 1.5% of the national GDP, according to CorpoHass data. Avobook highlights the impact of this […]

Kronen receives patent for pitting and peeling technology on avocados

Germany-based Kronen delivered its first robotic solution for avocado processing in April 2024 and it didn’t take long for the patent on their technology to follow. Showcased for the first time at Fruit Logistica, Kronen’s process enables the sensitive fruit to be processed gently in an automated procedure through its Robot Avocado Line. The company […]

Crownless pineapples make appearance this summer in some Aldi supermarkets

In October of 2023, Sainsbury’s unveiled crownless pineapples in its stores. Officials touted the move as a way to “reduce our impact on the planet wherever we can.” Less than a year later, discount retailer Aldi is doing its part by trialling pineapples without their leaves in select supermarkets – in the Midlands, Yorkshire and […]

New CEO of South Africa Table Grape Association has ties to Nottingham school

The South Africa Table Grape Industry Association (SATI) has appointed Mecia Petersen as its new chief executive.  Petersen joined SATI in March 2022 and has managed numerous key projects and initiatives in support of maintaining South Africa’s position as a preferred global supplier. During her tenure, Petersen has been instrumental in executing projects aligned with […]

Why wholesalers should view marketing as a necessity and not an afterthought

Q. Why is it critical for wholesalers to market themselves? A. Wholesale is sort of the “dark underbelly” of the business that doesn’t get talked about enough. We tend to be viewed as a necessary outlet for most of the major players in the produce industry, but not the top choice. We need to market ourselves […]