South Africa Citrus Forecast Cut Due to Violence

South African citrus remains a success story despite ongoing CBS issues

South Africa’s 2021 citrus export forecast has been reduced following a period of violent unrest in the country, but the latest estimate remains above the 2020 figures as port operations return to normal. The estimate now stands at 156.2 million cartons across all categories, according to the Citrus Growers Association of Southern Africa (CGA). The […]

UK apple suppliers welcome Enhanced Trade Partnership with India

Expanding the UK’s export horizons opens the door for growers to achieve superior prices for larger apple sizes not demanded by domestic retailers. Growers and exporters in the UK have welcomed the signing of an Enhanced Trade Partnership (ETP) between the UK and India to facilitate the supply of fresh apples. The opportunities in India […]

Covid app ‘pingdemic’ blamed for empty supermarket shelves

A rise in the numbers of British food supply workers being forced to self-isolate is being blamed for empty supermarket shelves, as shoppers become alarmed to find shelves and fridges empty. A surge in workers being alerted by the National Health Service (NHS) Covid app on their phones has hit industries hard because workers have to stay at […]

South Africa protests disrupt citrus exports

South African farmers have been hit by days of unrest and looting as trucks carrying produce are prevented from delivering to markets. The country’s citrus exports through the port of Durban have been halted after violence erupted in the KwaZulu Natal and Gauteng regions. Crowds have this week clashed with police and ransacked shopping malls, […]

Pomegranate Seeds Buck Prepared Fruit Trend With Ample Room For Growth

Strong sales growth and low household penetration point to positive opportunities for prepared pomegranate seeds, prompting PrepWorld to launch a consumer campaign. Pomegranates are turning heads in the UK. At a time when many prepared fruits have been challenged severely by the pandemic, sales of pomegranate seeds have experienced year-on-year double-digit growth. As such, the […]

UK retail food and grocery market growth to slow sharply

In its annual retail food and grocery market forecast, IGD predicts that the growth in 2020 will slow this year and the next, as shoppers economize and the foodservice industry reclaims sales. The unprecedented 8.5% growth last year is predicted to drop to 1.7% in 2021 and then to 0.9% in 2022. This sharp decline […]

Deeper issues at heart of driver shortage as crisis sets to intensify

Perishable Movements Ltd takes to floor of Fruit Logistica for first time

The disruption highlights longstanding recruitment difficulties plus food pricing concerns, and may worsen as consumer demand rises this summer. Real solutions are needed to resolve the current shortage of delivery drivers in the UK. That is the consensus of representatives from the fresh produce supply chain, who point out that this crisis has long been […]