‘The only way that I can see is that there must be some private operators in our terminals. That’s the global trend with government owning ports and being the landlord,’ says Anton Rabe, executive director of Hortgro. JEREMY MAGGS: Well, let’s move now from politics to South
read more

In November, the price of organic chicory (also known as Brussels Witloof) in Swiss retail was at 7.76 CHF/kg. This is a higher price than the previous month (7.61 CHF/kg). However, compared to previous years, the price is still at a low level. For instance, the price was 8.20 CHF/kg in November
read more

It was only a few days ago that Coldiretti raised the alarm: Italy torn between frost and drought, islands without water. Already at the beginning of 2024, some areas of our peninsula, in particular Sardinia and Sicily, are in emergency due to drought and the irrigation crisis in view of the coming
read more

Lemon producers from the Guadalhorce valley, in the Spanish province of Malaga, held a protest a few days ago in the capital and gave away 3,000 kilos of lemons to people on the street. Their aim was to highlight the difficult situation they are facing, with contracts that, according to UPA
read more

Unifrutti, a global player in premium fresh fruits production and distribution, announced the acquisition of 100% of Sociedad Exportadora Verfrut S.A., a large South American fruit producer and exporter. read more

Several remote communities in Northern Territory, Australia, have seen vulnerable residents evacuated due to flooding, though no further evacuations are necessary as floodwaters start to recede. Emergency declarations are still in place for the communities of Pigeon Hole, Daguragu, Kalkarindji,
read more

New look for the Interspar superstore in Este (Pd), developed over an area of 2,500 square metres, the food locomotive of the Extense shopping centre in Via Versori 59, managed directly since 1982 by Aspiag Service, the Despar brand dealer for the Triveneto, Emilia-Romagna and
read more

First estimates from Eurostat reveal that prices of agricultural products in the EU experienced a slight hike in 2023, with potatoes seeing a significant price surge, particularly in Germany, Slovakia and Croatia. read more

In January, wholesale business is generally quieter than usual, says Sales Manager Torben Sander of Neuenkirchener Heidekartoffel Handelsgesellschaft. "Sales to school canteens and communal catering continue steadily. However, it is quieter than in the spring or summer. Nevertheless, staple
read more

The National Farmers' Union (NFU) in the UK has expressed concern over the potential existential threat to the country's fruit and flower growers due to new post-Brexit border checks. These checks, scheduled for introduction in April, could cause extensive delays and damage to nearly all young
read more

Cardoon, also known as artichoke thistle, cardy, gobbo, or Cynara cardunculus var. Altilis, is an ancient plant with large stems and bright flowers. Resembling celery in shape, it is a winter vegetable related to the artichoke family and shares kinship with burdock, milk thistle, and wild artichoke. read more

Once upon a time! “Long ago, there lived a kind man and his wife. They most of all desired to have a child, and one day the woman told her husband that they would have a baby. The family’s house stood next to a high wall surrounding the beautiful garden of an evil witch. The woman
read more

M&S has unveiled plans to invest £30 million in bricks and mortar stores across Scotland. read more

The British Tomato Growers’ Association promises an “action-packed” new year in which it will work to “support, represent and empower” British tomato producers during increasingly challenging times. read more

Damian Fowler, managing director of New Covent Garden Market wholesaler Gilgrove, has died at the age of 50.  read more

Fruit Logistica, the leading trade show for the global fresh produce business, continues to push the boundaries and provide a platform for emerging technologies to get off the ground. In Berlin on 7-9 February 2024, the show unveils a significantly expanded content programme that explores
read more

Hazera and Staay Food Group have confirmed that the Exceed mini watermelon has been nominated for the 2024 Fruit Logistica Innovation Award, with the companies describing it as a “proud moment” in their long-standing partnership. read more

Extreme weather in Morocco has not only impacted the vegetable sector, as Fruitnet reported this month, but also the berry segment, according to Nabil Belmkaddem of Moroccan cooperative BestBerry, causing current shortages and price rises on the European market.  read more

According to Rewe, direct dialogue with producers, politicians and interested consumers will take centre stage at the trade fair. "With our Rewe and Penny stores throughout Germany, we are a link between producers and consumers. We know the needs of our customers and
read more

Unusually for this period, prices for snake cucumbers also fell. They fetched between 0.60 euros/kg and 0.50 euros/kg. Cucumbers corto negro sold for between 1.60 euros/kg and 1.40 euros/kg and cucumbers francés for between 1.20 euros/kg and 1 euro/kg. read more