Driscoll’s finalizes acquisition of Berry Gardens in ‘good move for all parties’

LPS19: How Fresh4cast is helping the fresh produce industry get smarter

Berry company Driscoll’s has completed the acquisition of UK-based Berry Gardens Limited (BGL), the sales, packaging, and distribution entity of Berry Gardens Growers Limited (BGG). Berry Gardens Limited, the UK’s largest supplier of berries, has grown, distributed and marketed Driscoll’s varieties on an exclusive basis in the UK for more than 20 years. General Manager, […]

South African table grape industry forecasts 8% decline in exports in 2022-23

South Africa forecasts lower table grape crop for 2017-18

The South African table grape industry expects 2022-23 season volumes inspected for export to decrease by approximately 8% in comparison to 2021-22 season figures. This estimate was released Oct. 31 by SATI, the South African Table Grape Industry Association, headquartered in Paarl, South Africa. A crop estimate of approximately 71.7 million cartons (4.5kg equivalent) is […]

Higher volumes forecasted for Chilean cherries, as exporters look to diversify markets

Produce notes: Freshfel urges EU sector to support 2021 Fruit and Veg initiative

Chilean cherry volumes are expected to increase by almost 18%, according to Chilean company Decofrut. Exports are forecast to grow by 12 million boxes, totalling 84 million boxes in the upcoming season. During 2021, 96% of the cherry exports for the southern hemisphere came from Chile. As for destination markets, the Far East receives more […]

Westfalia Fruit growing avocados on Portugal reserve using ‘minimal’ water

In a one-of-a-kind ‘farming with nature’ initiative, multinational supplier Westfalia Fruit Group has successfully launched and is maintaining a highly sustainable avocado orchard on protected land in the Alcácer do Sal region of Portugal. Within a Site of Community Importance and under regulations from the Portuguese government and European Union law, it is currently growing […]

Westfalia Fruit using insect plan to control pests, protect fruits in Chile

In an effort to be more sustainable in its pest control methods, Westfalia Fruit Group is turning to insects over pesticides in a project in Chile to help protect its crops from Mealybugs and White scale. At its facility near Santiago, they are cultivating beetle predators to limit White scale in avocado and Red Scale […]