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.
Morrisons-Disney partnership encourages kids to snack healthily
Tie-up aims to increase children’s engagement with fruit and will run throughout 2026
Moroccan berry volumes curbed by cold
Adverse weather is creating challenges for Moroccan berry growers, limiting volumes and keeping prices up, as demand from the UK remains firm
IGD launches new weight loss jab insight series
New series will use diary tracking of GLP-1 users plus expert insight to help food businesses navigate impact of weight loss medication as users overtake numbers of those on vegan diet
Katherine Ryan joins Pink Lady campaign to Find Your Fizz
Comedian has helped launch a Pink Lady social media challenge to bring a pop of pink, pause for a moment or create a fizz of kindness
Tru-Cape cultivates new connection with Harvard Business School
Students on immersive work placement scheme offer fresh ideas on how to sell apples in export markets
Sun World grape varieties gain traction in Namibia
Breeder has announced licensing agreements with multiple Namibian exporters, strengthening its presence in early season production regions
Focus on fibre brings fruit and veg into spotlight
Only a quarter of Brits can identify food high in fibre despite eating about half the recommended amount, according to a new report from M&S, as weight loss medication brings opportunities for fresh produce industry
New Amazon Now service offers ultra-fast delivery of fresh produce
Retail giant has ramped up its focus on speed with a new service delivering fruit, veg and household essentials in under 30 minutes
Lion’s Mane supplier rebrands in response to ‘surging demand’
The freshly-named Urban Farm-Produce said it is rapidly expanding to cement its position as leading nationwide supplier of the popular functional mushroom
Waitrose bananas to join Waitrose Foundation
By this summer, all Waitrose bananas will carry the Fairtrade and Waitrose Foundation labels, as the retailer steps up its commitment to banana farming communities
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Vogue and Veg Power hail ‘year of the cabbage’
Brassica staple to get campaign attention as social media trend builds and fashion title Vogue lists cabbage health benefits
Swissport opens first UK perishables centre at Heathrow
New centre features temperature controlled handling areas and a Border Inspection Post to enable processing of imports of fresh produce and seafood
Berry hard to spot: New puzzle aims to boost winter mood
Four berries are hidden in a new ’Where’s Wally’-style breakfast brainteaser put together by British Berry Growers to help boost dopamine levels and encourage berry consumption at breakfast
The new Buyers’ Walk is a milestone, now it’s our time to shine
Chairman of the Covent Garden Tenants’ Association and owner of Bevington Salads, Gary Marshall, reflects on the end of an era, what moving to the new Buyers’ Walk really means and the future of face-to-face wholesale trading
Vertical farm GrowUp made losses of £3.7mn before administration sale agreed
Kent-based supplier of vertically-grown leafy salads was sold before Christmas to a new private equity subsidiary, with new documents revealing company’s financial performance
NCGM wholesalers complete move to new Buyers’ Walk
A significant milestone in the redevelopment of New Covent Garden Market has been reached this week after 15 wholesalers joined those already in Block B, with the new walk now fully operational
Fresh Del Monte Produce addresses banana supply crisis
Jorge Pelaez of Fresh Del Monte Produce discusses declining banana source volumes, varietal development, and greater support for growers
Rijk Zwaan showcases innovative varieties at Fruit Logistica
The Dutch breeding company will showcase its Nasonovia Defense lettuce, Blue Leaf cucumbers and health-focused varieties in Berlin
Defra secretary announces partnership board and new £30mn fund
Defra Secretary of State Emma Reynolds also confirmed new opening windows to the SFI grant scheme and a sector plan for horticulture at today’s Oxford Farming Conference
Growth in online shopping drives strong Christmas grocery sales
Shoppers spend £19.6bn over four weeks to 27 December, according to NIQ data, with 29 per cent of UK households buying groceries online