After many years of working outside the Netherlands, recently retired crop consultant Simon Voogt has visited greenhouse operations around the world. Despite his international career, he has remained closely connected to developments in Dutch horticulture and the future of the sector. read more

Lidl Italia, a retail company with over 23,000 employees, confirms its commitment to creating a positive work environment by once again being awarded the title of "Top Employer 2026". This recognition is thanks to their continuous dedication and ongoing investment in improvement. read more

The season for Greek strawberries started earlier this year than usual, thanks to favorable weather conditions. Despite some challenges, the fruits from Greece are gaining new markets this season, and prices are satisfactory for producers.

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ErfGoed introduced Christian Bremkens as its new agent for Southern and Western Germany. Christian brings many years of experience in the horticultural sector, acquired in part through his previous ownership of a nursery. This background provides him with a deep understanding of the specific requirements. read more

At IPM Essen 2026, Flora Dania will present its Danish joint booth, featuring over 380 m² dedicated to showcasing high-quality products and Denmark's expertise in horticulture. The joint booth will bring together a variety of Danish growers and sales companies, collectively presenting. read more

Visitors to Deliflor in the Netherlands are currently welcomed into what feels like a real shopping street called the Deli Flower Market. The street showcases a music shop, a candy store, a paint shop, and displays with large bags. Each "shop" represents a chrysanthemum grower that includes Deliflor varieties. read more

Despar Italia is participating once again this year in Marca by Bolognafiere & ADM, the leading trade fair event for private label products, now in its 22nd edition. This reaffirms the increasingly central role of the distributor's brand in their development strategy. read more

In 2025, the Tomsk region exported 1,330 tons of pine nuts, with 981 tons sent to China, as reported by the Siberian Interregional Office of Rosselkhoznadzor. The first shipment from Tomsk in 2026 has already reached 23 tons. From January to October 2025, Tomsk was the leading exporter of pine nuts in Russia. read more

Tango Fruit has been awarded the "2026 Flavor of the Year" in Spain and Portugal, the most prestigious accolade in the food industry in both countries. This award is unique as products are judged objectively by end consumers, and its credibility has been established over time. read more

Giant vegetables are not just a hobby or an exhibition curiosity. In the United Kingdom, they have become a unique experiment at the intersection of agronomy, plant breeding, and human perseverance, as reported by EastFruit. The BBC has also shared the story of British vegetable grower Derek Hulme, highlighting the role of giant vegetables in this innovative endeavor. read more

France issued a national decree on 5 January 2026, following a communication from the French Ministry dated 23 December 2025, in which France requested that the European Commission lower maximum residue limits for certain substances and crops, citing potential risks to human health. As no action read more

Analysts from the EastFruit project have reported that this week, the prices for greenhouse cucumbers in Ukraine have increased. read more

Moldovan fruit exporters are experiencing challenges in shipping to the European Union as export quotas for 2026 have not been activated yet, even though the year has already begun. This delay is impacting the export of apples, plums, and grapes, especially to Romania and other EU markets. Victor read more

India's banana exports are experiencing steady annual growth, with a focus on the Middle East, Russia, and Eastern Europe, according to Vivek Karape from SunRaise Farmers, an Indian fruit exporter. The increase in exports is supported by enhanced post-harvest handling, expansion of pack-house facilities, and a growing customer base. read more

Zerbinati, a leading company in Italy in the production of fresh vegetables, salads, and ready-to-eat meals, and a top brand in Italy in the Single-portion segment, is present at the specialized trade fair Marca 2026, the major showcase where products of excellence are exhibited. read more

With 28 main brands, 1,540 exhibitors, 10 pavilions, and an expected 25,000 visitors, MARCA by BolognaFiere & ADM confirms itself as a leading European platform for a sector that surpasses 30 market share points in Fast-Moving Consumer Goods in Italy and aims for a record turnover of 31.5 billion. read more

Well-stocked warehouses: Lidl Austria is immediately reducing the prices of popular potato products. This move aims to alleviate the financial strain on local customers and also support the marketing of the abundant harvest volumes. Lidl Austria exclusively sells potatoes sourced from Austria. read more

Organic fertilizer producer SoilWorx is expanding beyond Ireland to provide farmers and growers in mainland UK with innovative solutions to enhance soil health and sustain yields. read more

DS Smith, a company owned by International Paper and a leading global provider of sustainable and fiber-based packaging solutions, has partnered with the Serele SupeR agricultural cooperative in Romania to replace 10 million plastic packages with circular, recyclable, fiber-based, and FSC-certified corrugated packaging. read more

Andalusia has become one of the main blueberry production hubs in Europe, accounting for around 32 percent of the total produced in the European Union. This positions Spain as the second largest producer in the EU, after Poland, which holds the top spot with a 33.7 percent share. read more