One of the biggest breakthroughs in tomato breeding this decade has been the ability to develop varieties that are resistant to ToBRFV,a highly destructive virus that was first discovered in Israel in 2014. Because it spread easily through mechanical transmission and has an incubation period of
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UK growers will benefit from a commitment to protect their interests in future trade deals, support to boost domestic fruit and veg production and new investment in technologies, says Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announcing a package of industry support ahead of the food summit hosted at
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Tomato suppliers across Europe face major challenges to their long-term sustainability from continued cost inflation, climate change, and new EU policies designed to protect the environment. read more

Linda Flegg, chair of NZ Avocado Growers’ Association has announced the resignation of New Zealand Avocado chief executive Jen Scoular after 12 years in the role. read more

The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has announced the appointment of Jolyon Burnett as the next chair of the Horticulture Council. read more

US officials visited Chile last week to advance various matters related to the bilateral trade of fresh fruit. The topics discussed included US blueberry exports to Chile, the approval implementation process of the Systems Approach for Chilean table grapes, the application of irradiation
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The home secretary Suella Braverman will argue in a speech today (15 May) that there is “no good reason” Britain cannot train its own fruit pickers and lorry drivers, the BBC reports. read more

A record 15 students from developing countries were welcomed to Harper Adams University this week (15 May) by vice chancellor professor Ken Sloan. read more

South Africa’s membership of the African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA) seems to be on the line. read more

Defra ministers, farming and retail leaders will meet the prime minister in Downing Street tomorrow (16 May) for emergency talks about the British horticulture sector, the Guardian reveals. read more

Defra ministers, farming and retail leaders will meet the prime minister in Downing Street tomorrow (16 May) for emergency talks about the British horticulture sector, the Guardian reveals. read more

Lidl has called on other British supermarkets to follow its lead and introduce packaging design changes to help make fruit and veg more appealing to children. read more

British lettuce and herb growers Madestein (UK) Ltd and Fresh Willow Ltd have gone into administration after a substantial investment, combined with rising energy costs, inflationary pressures and labour challenges, left the companies unable to meet their financial obligations.  read more

Fruit Logistica, the leading trade show for the global fresh produce business, has opened exhibitor registrations for its 2024 edition. Companies have until the end of July to register for next year’s show. read more

Spread has surpassed 100m sales of its indoor leaf lettuce brand Vegetus while adding new products to its range in the process. read more

A Queensland University of Technology-developed, genetically modified (GM) variety of Cavendish banana, that is highly resistant to Panama Disease TR4, has been submitted for regulatory approval to the Australian government. read more

Kristian Moeller has announced that he will leave GlobalGAP on 1 June after more than 20 years at the farming certification organisation. read more

Mango exports from Pakistan are due to start on 20 May, in accordance with the government’s strictly timed export policy. read more

It is vital that labelling issues resulting from the Windsor Framework are resolved before an October deadline, the British Retail Consortium has stressed. read more

Philip Booth has been appointed finance director by logistics and supply chain solutions provider PML. read more