Europe

As Europe strives for more dependable and sustainable local food production, Green Gardens Dobrovnik is entering the final planning stage of a major baby leaf greenhouse project in northeastern Slovenia. The project is further bolstered by the participation of Pieter Slaman (GaaS), one of the. read more

The La Blottière's pear campaigns are in full swing this winter. The Qtee® campaign is drawing to a close, but the Sweet Sensation® and Abate campaigns are still going strong. The Sweet Sensation® campaign began in the week of October 6th and is expected to finish at the end of January in France and at read more

Corné van de Klundert, Managing Director of Dutch importer and exporter Origin Fruit Group, reports that the overseas grape market is showing signs of improvement. Southern Europe had an exceptionally large grape harvest during the summer, leading Spain, Italy, and Greece to keep grapes on the market until a later than usual period. read more

The Alizza Fruit™, a premium citrus created by crossing a pummelo with one of the world's sweetest mandarins, is managed by Genesis Fresh, a part of the AMFresh Group. It is grown by partner producers in Spain and South Africa and is set to start its fourth commercial season in January 2026. read more

Poinsettia, widely known in Spain as 'Flor de Pascua', is the queen of Christmas decorations because of its characteristic red bracts, filling homes with warmth and joy. In addition, these flowers are traditionally associated with good luck and prosperity and unsurprisingly, are often given as. read more

Ukrainian agricultural processing companies may access grant funding of up to USD 1 million from the U.S. government in 2026, according to Serhii Ostapets, project manager of the AGRO Program, who spoke at the SMARTBERRY 2025 winter conference held in Kyiv on December 11-12. read more

Finland: Kesko announces sale-and-leaseback deal for some grocery stores

Finnish retailer Kesko has sold ten grocery stores to Swedish firm Prisma Properties for approximately €59 million. This sale-and-leaseback transaction allows Kesko to sign long-term leases on the properties, enabling it to. read more

With 5,500 hectares of orchards, including 1,100 hectares of organic apple orchards, 7 cooperatives, and 1,500 members, Vip (Association of Val Venosta producers) has always been an important partner in Italy for private label brands. They will participate in the sixth edition of Marca Fresh. Let's have a discussion with the commercial director. read more

Willem Dijk AGF in the Netherlands offers a diverse selection of Spanish produce during the winter season, ranging from juicy oranges to fragrant herbs and colorful bell peppers. The company has been providing customers in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany with high-quality products under well-known brands like Filosofo for many years. read more

Port of Dover Cargo has successfully completed its second consecutive citrus season, solidifying its role as a vital entry point for fresh produce into the UK market. Through close collaboration with the Reefer Alliance service, a partnership between Seatrade and Cool Carriers, the Port of Dover efficiently managed the handling of... read more

The approach of the Christmas holidays shifts demand towards some traditional products, such as pineapples, puntarelle, and walnuts. There is also a strong presence of Italian strawberries. Oranges are in full production, with a division between Navelina and Tarocco varieties. Demand for clementines is still stagnant, being penalized. read more

The first Edamame beans from De Aardappelhoeve appeared on Colruyt's shelves at the start of September. It was a milestone for Belgium as these locally grown soybeans were showcased in Belgian stores for the first time. This was an experiment by De Aardappelhoeve, but their ambition is substantial. Ultimately, they aim to be able to. read more

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) have announced the successful completion of the design phase of a groundbreaking national strategy aimed at transforming the table grape sector in the Republic of Moldova. read more

Bright prospects are expected for South African pomegranates in 2026, with improving exports and recently established orchards set to increase export volumes significantly over the next five years. Recent developments in Turkey and Italy have also contributed to this positive outlook. read more

The Doñana Natural Area in south-western Spain is a crucial ecological region known for its biodiversity and as a key habitat for migratory birds, including the Dutch national bird, the Black-tailed Godwit. Doñana is also a significant center for soft fruit production, closely linked to. read more

From June 2026, 32 Gifi stores will be transformed into Grand Frais (Prosol). This name change was announced last October, as part of a takeover that affects stores across France. Here is the list of the 32 stores: Caudebec-lès-Elbeuf (Seine-Maritime): 1233, rue des SaulniersGrasse (Alpes-Maritimes): 309, read more

The banana is the most widely consumed fruit in Russia, surpassing apples (9.8 kg per capita per year in 2024). However, banana prices have sharply increased since 2022 due to sanctions, reliance on imports, and logistical challenges. Bananas are primarily imported from Ecuador. read more

Corné van de Klundert, Managing Director of Dutch importer and exporter Origin Fruit Group, reports that the overseas grape market is improving. Southern Europe had an exceptionally large grape harvest over the summer, leading to Spain, Italy, and Greece keeping grapes on the market until very late. read more

It has been evident for some time now that the endive sector in Belgium, as well as in the Netherlands, is facing challenges. The cost prices are continuously increasing, the crop protection options are diminishing, and there is a decline in interest from younger consumers. This season, prices have once again dropped significantly, prompting a call for change. read more

2025 is coming to an end, with approximately 70 farmer blockades still in place at crucial highway junctions and border customs points in Greece. The farmers have announced that starting on Tuesday, December 23, and for a few days, they will allow for increased vehicle movement. read more