Planasa has opened a new research and development centre in the Mexican state of Michoacán to develop new berry varieties adapted to the growing conditions in Latin America and the US. read more

Abel & Cole is claiming a UK first by becoming the first retailer to introduce eco labelling across its entire fruit and veg range. read more

Fresh Forward and FruitMasters have signed a licensing agreement for the Wurtwinning apple giving FruitMasters production and sales rights of the variety, developed by Fresh Forward’s breeding programme. read more

Given the severe crisis currently being experienced in the French apple sector, French apple association ANPP has taken umbrage at the move by French retailer Carrefour to place Polish apples on the shelves.  read more

A new probe in the distribution and marketing of fresh produce in South Africa will focus attention on the reasons for steep increases in fresh produce prices, while also focusing on the behaviour of growers and retailers. read more

A new workshop focused on helping suppliers negotiate contracts is being launched by the NFU.  read more

New Zealand has been devastated by Cyclone Gabrielle, which has left a number of people dead and seen the country’s government implement a state of emergency. read more

Vietnam needs to develop a national brand identity for its fruit to help add value and increase competitiveness in international markets, according to new calls from the country’s fresh produce industry.  read more

Cambodia’s Department of Commerce has been in discussions with Alibaba to improve international online sales of Cambodian products including fresh produce. read more

Horticultural Crop Protection Ltd, the company set up during the winding down of AHDB Horticulture, has announced who will sit on its board as well as revealing details of how crop protection products will be authorised. read more

Erratic and unusual growing conditions, not inflation, are the main cause of the chronic supply shortages and astronomical spot prices seen across a number of fresh produce categories in Britain. read more

The new aubergine season at Belgian cooperative BelOrta kicked off this week with the sale of the first aubergines of 2023, supplied, as last year, by BelOrta producer Jurgen Franco of Topa from Jabbeke.  read more

England’s farming leaders are donning their running vests to raise funds for Farm Africa, the charity which aims to reduce poverty via agricultural projects in sub-Saharan Africa. read more

NielsenIQ, a global consumer intelligence company, has announced the appointment of Emilie Darolles as managing director of western Europe and international global clients. read more

Chilean citrus producers need to focus on increasing their competitiveness by improving quality and productivity if they hope to improve their fortunes in 2023, according to Juan Enrique Ortúzar, president of the Asoex Citrus Committee. read more

Over the past year South Africa’s citrus industry has made several passionate calls to the country’s government to intervene in the dispute between the country and the European Union regarding new false codling moth (FCM) regulations for citrus from South Africa. read more

DeltaTrak has announced that it has been issued a patent by the US Patent and Trademark Office pertaining to its FlashTrak Global Chain of Custody (CoC) information management system that was introduced in November 2022. read more

A number of fresh produce items are among over 300 products to be reduced by Waitrose. read more

Spread has signed a US$4.6m (¥,600m) sustainability-linked loan with Shiga Bank to help fuel future growth, and improve productivity and energy consumption. read more

Leading apple grower-marketer Montague will commence its 2023 apple offering with early-season variety Smitten. read more