Produce advocates say there’s more land for golf than farms in the UK and that must change
Nature-friendly groups and celebrities say the government must stop relying on food imports and double the land used to grow fruits and vegetables. The open letter, coordinated by the agriculture-focused charity Soil Association, asks the Prime Minister to back and scale up horticulture sector. Chefs, influencers, and local celebrities like Sinead Fenton and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall […]
The countries driving an increase in avocado consumption … and yes, the UK is one of them
As the global avocado industry recovers from a challenging year due to the El Niño phenomenon, we spoke with Zac Bard, chairman of the World Avocado Organization (WAO), about the current state of the global industry and what markets are becoming more attractive for growers. Bard said that the change in weather patterns last year […]
Wholesale Market: Yes, you do have a story to tell customers when they ask for something new
In specialty produce, you get asked a lot of questions. I’ve been working in specialty for over a decade, and I’ve heard them all. But there is one that gets asked more than any other: “What’s new?” You would think that is an easy question for a company that handles thousands of products from all […]
Expansion of Georgian market means more blueberries are headed for the UK
The Georgian Ministry of Economy announced that the sector is projected to ship 500 tonnes of blueberries to the EU and UK this season. The shipments are part of the Lead Generation Program, which seeks to connect producers with foreign buyers and expand international market opportunities. The initiative is implemented by the state agency Enterprise […]
As wholesalers, we have an obligation to not just ‘sell what we want to sell’ but listen to customers
It’s no secret that the biggest problem currently in the industry is the cost of labor and the lack of it (followed by the high cost of transportation). Within this same supply chain-squeezing climate, consumers have become more demanding for quality, service and sustainability. Regional and local produce wholesalers sit in a prime position to […]
Why the next steps on EU’s approved packaging regulations are so critical to a sustainable future
The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) was first presented in November 2022 by the European Commission with the goal of making packaging and its waste more sustainable in the European Union. This regulation sets requirements for packaging throughout its lifecycle, including its design, use and waste management. In October 2023, the committee on the […]
Why Southern Africa’s focus on ‘premium’ makes it a quality partner in blueberry market
This Q&A features highlights from an interview done with Dane Castle, Blueberry Technical Sales Manager Southern Africa at Planasa, who discusses the state of the Southern Africa blueberry season. For the full interview and charts, go to FreshFruitPortal.com. Could you share insights into the expected volume and quality of the 2024 Southern African Blueberry season? Southern […]
Colombia cements its status as one of top suppliers of avocados to UK
During the first quarter of 2024, the Hass Avocado Producers and Exporters Corporation of Colombia (CorpoHass) reported significant growth in the industry’s contribution to the nation’s economy. The avocado sector’s input to Colombia’s Gross Domestic Product surged by 150%, representing 1.5% of the national GDP, according to CorpoHass data. Avobook highlights the impact of this […]
