South Africa is enhancing its local fruit-packing equipment capacity by establishing the Maftech facility in Paarl, Western Cape. The site was created through a collaboration between MAF RODA AGROBOTIC and Maintech, merging international automation technology with local expertise. read more

Ludwig Kientzler passed away on January 4, 2026 in Costa Rica, his chosen and beloved place of residence. Garry Grüber pays tribute to Ludwig's life by stating, "He leaves us with a global legacy of innovation and transformation in the international horticulture industry." Ludwig was born in post-World War II Germany. read more

In the organized retail sector, the challenge of fresh produce is increasingly linked to the shopping experience and the healthiness of the product. It is in this context that the innovation presented by Oranfresh, as illustrated by the sales director Enrico Musumeci, comes into play. read more

Z zakończeniem budowy nowego centrum dystrybucyjnego VDH Cool Logistics w Ridderkerk został dostarczony projekt o wysokiej jakości technicznej. Wykonawca Fraanje zrealizował kompleks logistyczny o powierzchni około 30 000 m², w pełni wyposażony do przechowywania, przetwarzania i dystrybucji świeżych produktów rolnych. read more

SAP has announced that Zespri has implemented a fully digitized claims platform using SAP cloud technologies, aimed at streamlining customer claims management across its global supply chain. The new system replaces a previously manual process and is designed to support faster and more consistent processing of claims. read more

W tym sezonie, rynek borówki w Ameryce Łacińskiej doświadcza stabilnych wolumenów, oczekiwanej podaży oraz rosnącego nacisku na jakość. Simón Andrés Muñoz, starszy konsultant w firmie CASM Blueberries, analizuje sezon 2025-2026, skupiając się na produkcji, odmianach, cenach i logistyce. read more

SPAR Austria has opened a new EUROSPAR store in Schwadorf, Lower Austria, located on the B10 main road. The store is modern and sustainably designed, with a focus on offering a wide range of everyday products, delicacies, and treats while prioritizing freshness. Source:... read more

The AVF Asia Forum will be held from March 9-11, 2026, at Christ University in Bangalore, India, bringing together stakeholders from the fields of controlled environment agriculture, medicinal plant science, and regulated supply chains. The event is organized by the Association for Vertical Farming in collaboration. read more

Cold chain management is becoming a key operational concern for fresh produce supply chains as factors such as volatility, cost pressures, and sustainability requirements impact planning up to 2026. For fruit and vegetable companies, enhancing resilience in temperature-controlled logistics is becoming more important. read more

Importing Iranian Red Delicious apples into India is currently challenging, as the landing costs have exceeded the wholesale selling prices in South India, according to Syed Salehus Sabah of the fruit importer Al Fatah Impex. He mentioned that the situation is exacerbated by 50% import duties, increases in freight charges, and inflationary pressures resulting from political disputes. read more

Guillaume Sauzedde has assumed the role of Maersk Regional Managing Director for the Europe Region. Sauzedde, a French national with over 25 years of experience in the logistics industry, replaces Aymeric Chandavoine, who departed the company at the end of last year to pursue a role elsewhere. read more

Hans Peters will step down as CEO of Priva Horticulture & Building Automation as of February 1st, 2026. Meiny Prins, Executive Chairman of the Priva Group, along with the Board, has re-allocated his responsibilities within the organization. Over time, it became clear that... read more

Drewry's Intra-Asia Container Index (IACI) dropped by 5% in the second week of January, reaching US$665 per 40ft container. This index represents a weighted average of spot freight rates on 18 significant intra-Asia trade routes and is currently 20% lower compared to the previous year. Drewry anticipates that rates will continue to stay at this level. read more

VIP confirms its participation in the 2026 Marca fair in Bologna, a key event for the private label industry. This decision was made with foresight as VIP was the first Italian apple producer to believe in the Marca Fresh format, recognizing its potential from the start. read more

New research projects funded by Hortgro aim to quantify environmental impacts across the South African deciduous-fruit value chain, focusing on carbon accounting and life cycle assessment for pome and stone fruit. The projects are being led by specialist sustainability consultancy Blue North. read more

"'Puma', a heat-sealed net packer, has attracted the attention of operators from Australia, the Netherlands, and several Northern European countries in general," reports Fabrizio Fiumana, President of REV Packaging Solutions. "The single-material solution is a valid one in the field of packaging." read more

Two niezależne jury wybrały dziesięciu nominowanych do nagrody Fruit Logistica Innovation Award 2026, podkreślając rozwój świeżych produktów rolnych oraz technologii rozwiązujących obecne wyzwania w sektorze owocowo-warzywnym. Od dwudziestu lat nagroda Fruit Logistica Innovation Award jest wykorzystywana do. read more

The British market is increasing its share within the export mix for Peruvian blueberries, consolidating its role as a European destination at a time when demand in the region is increasingly organized through logistics hubs and retail programs with defined delivery windows. Recent data show read more

Vip, the Association of Fruit and Vegetable Cooperatives of Val Venosta, is the main supplier of organic apples in Europe, also thanks to the dedicated packaging plant integrated within the Juval cooperative. An example of innovation that ensures premium quality. read more

The winter 2026 edition of the Maersk Global Market Update discusses various factors that are likely to impact global and European supply chains in the coming year. The focus is on maritime routing, port congestion, regulatory changes, and inventory management. Additionally, there is a specific discussion on the Suez Canal within the logistics sector. read more