Sainsbury’s pushes out 12 fully electric vans to handle deliveries for superstore
Rival supermarkets Waitrose and Tesco both made headlines late last year for use of fully electric-powered lorries to handle deliveries in some areas. As these chains clamor for solutions to achieve net zero by 2035, a new grocer has embraced the EV craze. Sainsbury’s announced this week it is now using a fully electric fleet […]
Global avocado market still booming but must continue to evolve
The outlook for avocado production and consumption is expected to be strong over the coming years, although not without challenges, according to a new report from financial service company Rabobank. With the release of its annual World Avocado Trade Map, Rabobank notes that competition will rise and that pressure will grow on operators to be […]
Wholesalers don’t just provide fresh produce, they do it all for customers
Wholesalers are experiencing an identity crisis amid the increasingly competitive arena of produce distributors. Our customer needs are changing, and it is up to wholesalers to adapt to this new environment to stay relevant. Luckily, wholesalers are characterized by their immense dedication to the business, and we don’t just overcome hurdles, we break right through […]
Could Africa’s ‘forgotten crops’ be key to a healthier, sustainable future?
What do wild custard apples, bush plums, Malabar spinach, spider plants and bottle gourd have in common? They are all among a group of African fruits and vegetables highlighted as forgotten food crops by a group of researchers at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), the World Vegetable Center, World Agroforestry and other institutions. They say oft-dismissed […]
Westfalia Fruit receives ‘transformational’ investment to strengthen avocado production
Kent-based Westfalia Fruit Group has landed £242 million in funding from three banks that it says will be used to boost sustainable avocado production. The infusion of capital from HSBC UK, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and Standard Bank will help Westfalia expand and improve packaging, ripening and storage. But it also will help it […]
ProHass president discusses Peru’s projected record avocado exports
The Peruvian avocado industry forecasts a total of 630,000 tonnes in production for this season, a 14% year-on-year increase. The president of Peru’s Association of Hass Avocado Producers and Exporters (ProHass), Juan Carlos Paredes Rosales, spoke with FreshFruitPortal.com about the projections of a record season, the reasons that have led the industry to take a leap in […]
Vertical farming in UK could get huge boost with investment in Harvest London
There is almost no comparison when it comes to the efficiencies of vertical farming vs. standard farming. From renewable energy to markedly less water use to lack of pesticides, vertical farming can have marked advantages. If there is one potential drawback, it might be scalability. But the need to develop more sustainable methods are growing, […]
Jooste: Pressure is on, and savvy supermarkets are pivoting to meet economic challenges
Since the fall of 2021, the food chain has seen rising costs due to several factors, starting with logistical disruptions and speculation caused by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, followed by a post-COVID scarcity of human resources, and recently the outbreak of war in Ukraine. Subsequent sanctions against Russia drove up energy prices and heavily affected […]
