It’s pumpkin season! This year’s crop from UK growers looks big and bountiful

This year’s crop of pumpkins has arrived in supermarkets such as Tesco, and they are looking bigger and plumper than in typical run-ups to Halloween. A rainier summer, especially in July and August, led to a lovely season for growers in the UK. Demand is expected to be strong again, according to the retailer. “The […]

Grape Attraction: 5 big consumer trends for the next year include nod to ‘green reality’

More than 90,000 visitors attended the recent 15th Fruit Attraction fair and conference in Madrid, which showcased agricultural industries of 135 countries. The convention included the 7th iteration of Grape Attraction, which explored the table grape sector in Europe and the world. Desmond Jas, head of sales and marketing at Olympic Fruit, based in the Netherlands, analyzed […]

Choosing the Right Path: How your produce business can seize strengths, limit weaknesses

The European fresh produce industry is witnessing a significant shift in companies adopting specific roles to sustain their success. With increasing competition and growing supply chain transparency, companies are faced with a crucial decision: should they become specialists, focusing on a few products that can be consistently supplied year-round to large-scale retailers, or should they […]

Potential threat of layoffs has Port of Liverpool workers on edge

A 12% year-on-year decrease in container volumes is worrying Port of Liverpool staff, which currently employs around 850 people.  Port owner Peel Ports and British syndicate Unite the Union are beginning a 45-day redundancy consultation that could lead to 15% of employees being terminated, Port Strategy reports. “This is a decision we have been wrestling with for […]

State of Blueberry report shows shifts in UK imports, dire straits for domestic growers

Blueberry exports from South Africa expected to increase by 20 per cent

The International Blueberry Organization unveiled its highly anticipated 2023 State of the Global Blueberry Industry report on Aug. 15, via a live presentation. The analysis thoroughly examines the sector’s challenges and strengths, confirming a shift in production towards the counter season. “Sometime either in 2023 or 2024, the industry will see more fresh volumes shipped […]

UK grape grower AMFresh partners with private equity firm to acquire two companies

Autumn Crisp and Adora Seedless driving Sun World’s global growth

AMFresh of the UK and private equity fund manager EQT of Sweden have acquired Special New Fruit Licensing Holding Company (SNFL) of Spain and International Fruit Genetics LLP (IFG) of the U.S. The deal was approved by the European Commission under the EU Merger Regulation. AMFRESH is active in growing table grapes, other fruits, and vegetables. SNFL and IFG both breed and develop new […]

UK supermarkets enjoy great month, helped by Coronation and holiday

Aldi pushes ahead with trial of its first click-and-collect services in UK

Sparked by the Coronation and bank holiday weekend, British supermarkets saw a 12.3% boost in total till sales during the four weeks leading up to 20 May. That figure bettered sales from the previous reporting month by 2.6%, according to data from NIQ, formerly Nielsen. Own-label sales were the biggest driver, rising more than 14% […]