Exporters in India are facing a second round of container freight rate increases, as carriers are implementing hikes of up to 40% from April 1. Shipping rates from India to Europe have seen increases of up to US$1,000 per container. Carriers such as Mediterranean Shipping Company and AP Moller-Maersk are among those implementing these rate hikes. read more

The National Farmers Federation (NFF) Horticulture Council has penned an open letter to Australia's major supermarket chains, calling on them to promptly and constructively address requests for price increases from fresh produce suppliers amid rising fuel and freight costs. read more

For the fresh produce sector in Europe, sustainability in 2026 is no longer just about ESG positioning. It is increasingly becoming a matter of operational economics. The focus of the discussion is moving from general reputation stories to tangible business metrics: yield stability, batch. read more

Quality and freshness are at the heart of the new online campaign by Lidl Italy. With the slogan "The Beat of Freshness," the retail chain has relied on original experts in the field to show what it means to be a reference point in the fruits and vegetables department. read more

Gavita International has expanded its team with the appointments of Huub Welles as Commercial Director and Michel Hacken as Head of Product. Both professionals bring extensive industry experience and a strong track record in driving commercial success and product innovation, and they will play key roles in the company. read more

Satori SA has introduced a range of fruits including meticulously ripened pitayas, mangoes, avocados, and mini bananas called 'Bananito'. This Gustoline is distributed globally at the height of freshness and flavor. The company has also created a retail concept that prioritizes consumer experience, including innovative packaging. read more

The State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection is working on opening the market of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam for Ukrainian plant and livestock products, according to the agency's head Serhii Tkachuk. During an international business trip to Asia, the leadership of the agency discussed potential trade opportunities with Vietnamese officials. read more

The growing instability in freight rates due to the Iran war is not on the same level as the significant increase in freight rates during the Covid era, as per analysis by Drewry Shipping Consultants. Based on the latest data from Drewry Container Freight Rate Insight updated yesterday, spot ocean rates are... read more

Generational turnover is becoming increasingly difficult, climate change, reduced availability of manpower, and growing pressure on technical defense means: the future of apple growing is increasingly less about the market and more about the ability to ensure production, continuity, and sustainability. read more

Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and increasing oil prices are causing strain on the packaging materials market, leading to extended lead times for labels, sometimes up to four or five weeks. Nino Venezia, the founder of Dutch Graphic Group based in the Netherlands, says that the situation is far from ideal. read more

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Approximately 167 containers of South African stone fruit are currently at sea after shipping routes were disrupted, forcing vessels to reroute. The shipments were originally destined for Gulf ports, but access was blocked following the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Exporters are... read more

Afreshed, the market leader for organic food boxes in Austria, announced the acquisition of its German competitor Etepetete in week 14. The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price. With this transaction, Afreshed is marking the start of its expansion into the German market. read more

For the Dutch greenhouse company SV.CO, water is a critical resource and a central element of its sustainability approach. The company actively pursues smart, circular water use, with the aim of minimizing waste and reducing environmental impact on a structural basis. read more

Italy strengthens its role in the industrial tomato sector, surpassing 5.8 million tons of production and returning to second place globally, behind the United States. This result confirms the importance of the national supply chain in one of the symbolic sectors. read more

Zgłoszenia do Nagrody Zrównoważonego Rozwoju Royal FloraHolland zostały oficjalnie otwarte. Ta nagroda jest przeznaczona dla hodowców członkowskich posiadających innowacje zrównoważone dotyczące produktów lub działalności biznesowej. Nagroda ma na celu docenienie, nagrodzenie i zachęcenie hodowców, którzy przyczyniają się do sektora florystycznego przyszłości z wizją. read more

The uncontrolled increase in fertilizers, diesel, plastics, and other production factors linked to the war in Iran is costing Italian agricultural companies up to 200 euros per hectare, with the main production inputs having risen by over 30% compared to the previous period. read more

In 2025, Ukraine imported 725,000 tonnes of fruit, an increase from 690,000 tonnes in 2024, according to data from the State Customs Service. The import value also rose from $804.6 million to $922.6 million, driven by higher global prices and increasing demand for premium categories such as avocado. read more

The Ukrainian blueberry market is entering a new phase of development. Until recently, most growers operated independently, managing cultivation, harvesting, cooling, logistics, and sales. This model is now changing, with a shift toward centralized coordination, unified standards, and export… read more

Rising costs for fuel, energy, transportation, and packaging are once again putting pressure on Europe's fruit and vegetable industry. Greenhouse vegetables, perishable imports, and categories with high logistics intensity are expected to be among the first to be affected, as reported by EastFruit. read more

Driscoll’s has named Wadih J Khayat as its chief financial officer. In this role, Khayat will report to CEO Soren Bjorn and be responsible for overseeing global finance, technology, and strategy. read more