WAPA: Southern Hemisphere Apple and Pear Crop Forecast Revised Downward Following Severe Weather

Following the intense weather events that affected several countries in the Southern Hemisphere, the World Apple and Pear Association (WAPA) released an update of its apple and pear crop forecast that was presented during Fruit Logistica. According to the revised forecast, which consolidates the data from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, New Zealand, and South Africa, […]
ProHass president discusses Peru’s projected record avocado exports

The Peruvian avocado industry forecasts a total of 630,000 tonnes in production for this season, a 14% year-on-year increase. The president of Peru’s Association of Hass Avocado Producers and Exporters (ProHass), Juan Carlos Paredes Rosales, spoke with FreshFruitPortal.com about the projections of a record season, the reasons that have led the industry to take a leap in […]
Tesco launches £5 million grant programme to improve health of school children

In a quest to provide impoverished school children with more healthy food, including fruits and vegetables, Tesco is reimaging its community funding effort with a new £5 million grant programme that will launch this summer. More than 5,000 schools will be able to apply for the grants, which will deliver a series of £1,500 checks […]
Why it’s vital to keep an eye on the ‘little guys’

One thing every operator should watch closely is the nature and makeup of the competition within the marketplace. Most of the attention goes to the larger competitors, such as national chains and large regional players, and many retailers make the mistake of not considering the small, independent retailers within the trading area. Successful produce retailers […]
Morrisons slashes prices on almost 500 items, but are they enough?

Trying to remain competitive against deep discount retail chains Aldi and Lidi, Morrisons recently reduced prices on nearly 500 more items including some fruits and vegetables. Although Morrisons now has lowered the cost on 1,000 products, it only has committed to those reductions over the course of eight weeks. “We’re now going again with a […]
Vertical farming in UK could get huge boost with investment in Harvest London

There is almost no comparison when it comes to the efficiencies of vertical farming vs. standard farming. From renewable energy to markedly less water use to lack of pesticides, vertical farming can have marked advantages. If there is one potential drawback, it might be scalability. But the need to develop more sustainable methods are growing, […]
Global Cherry Summit, the sector’s premier event, will bring together leaders in April in Chile

The Fourth Global Cherry Summit is set to take place on April 20, 2023, at the Monticello Conference Center in San Francisco de Mostazal, Chile. The summit will bring together more than 900 leaders and international business people from at least a dozen countries, including key cherry producing regions, along with more than 70 businesses sponsoring and exhibiting. The diverse […]
Citrus exports from South Africa could tumble by double digits in 2023

Southern African citrus exports could fall by around 14% year-on-year this season, dropping from 164.8 million cartons to 142.5 million. That was the initial prediction given by Justin Chadwick, CEO of the Citrus Exporters Association of Southern Africa (CGA), though he noted that with some mandarin varieties estimates are still outstanding, will be available by […]