http://www.freshinfo.com The latest news and statistics on the UK fresh produce industry from the publishers of the FPJ (c) 2012, Lockwood Press Ltd. All rights reserved. http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=55031 G’s Fresh has confirmed it is planning to unveil a sweeter celery this summer, featuring a less stringy texture. Sun, 05 Feb 2012 14:01:01 +0000 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=55031 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=55029 Morrisons has not put in a final round bid to buy Iceland Foods, reports have said. Sun, 05 Feb 2012 12:01:01 +0000 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=55029 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=55032 Sainsbury’s has started stocking UK grown fresh Kaffir limes leaves. Sun, 05 Feb 2012 11:01:02 +0000 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=55032 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=55028 Tributes have been paid to former NFU president Sir Richard Butler who has died aged 83. Sun, 05 Feb 2012 09:01:02 +0000 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=55028 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=54998 Tesco has “disappointed” the Carbon Trust as it pulls out of the organisation’s eco-labelling scheme. Sun, 05 Feb 2012 08:01:01 +0000 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=54998 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=55025 This Valentine’s Day, Genesis Fresh is offering apples that say “I love you” in English, Russian or Polish to make a gift for that special someone. Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:01:02 +0000 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=55025 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=55009 A Kent MP has launched Ugly Food; a new company to buy food rejected by supermarkets on aesthetic grounds and sell it to consumers. Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:01:02 +0000 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=55009 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=55012 A grower partnership run by Minor Weir and Willis is going from strength to strength with the company pledging to increase its growing activity in the UK. Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:01:02 +0000 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=55012 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=55026 St James Wholesale Market in Bradford has retained its crown as the nation’s best wholesale market at the National Association of British Market Authorities (NABMA) awards. Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:01:02 +0000 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=55026 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=55016 Eating dark-coloured fresh produce such as plums, peaches and nectarines has more impact on how attractive a man appears than his masculinity, new research suggests. Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:01:02 +0000 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=55016 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=55013 Tesco has moved to quash rumours surrounding a new appointment for Bob Robbins, chief operating officer of Tesco’s UK stores. Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:19:41 +0000 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=55013 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=55014 A salmonella outbreak in the UK in December last year may be linked to watermelon. Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:31:10 +0000 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=55014 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=54994 Annual revenue for 2011 was up by 26 per cent at logistics group Norbert Dentressangle (ND) with an increase in organic growth of 5.6 per cent. Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:01:01 +0000 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=54994 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=55007 The CLA and NFU have reached an agreement with HS2 Ltd covering a voluntary early access licence to carry out environmental impact assessments related to the rail line with an initial payment of £1,000. Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:01:01 +0000 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=55007 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=55006 The president of the regulatory council for PGI Citricos Valencianos has said the entire supply chain is accountable for the prices crisis in the Spanish citrus sector. Thu, 02 Feb 2012 09:01:01 +0000 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=55006 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=55005 British stone fruit growers have called for better communication through the supply chain following a season in which many said plums could not be sold, returns were unsustainable and imports dominated supermarket shelves during the British season. Thu, 02 Feb 2012 08:01:01 +0000 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=55005 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=55003 Greenery UK has acquired all the shares in John Baarda after the tomato specialist approached it for financial assistance for the third time in less than two years. Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:41:26 +0000 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=55003 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=54999 With low water availability becoming an increasing threat to farmers around the world, new research has found potash can help produce quality yields in root crops and potatoes because it helps plants to store water. Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:01:01 +0000 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=54999 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=55002 DEFRA has published its Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA) highlighting the challenges as well as opportunities for the UK economy including agriculture. Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:01:01 +0000 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=55002 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=55000 Colour-coded packaging similar to the labels on milk cartons has been designed to simply show shoppers whether they are buying firm, fluffy or creamy potatoes. Wed, 01 Feb 2012 10:01:02 +0000 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=55000 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=54996 DEFRA has published its Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA) highlighting the challenges as well as opportunities for the UK economy including agriculture. The 2,000 page report means the UK is one of the best prepared nations for the implications of climate change. Wed, 01 Feb 2012 08:01:02 +0000 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=54996 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=54989 Size is no barrier to values, one of the country’s largest organic growers has emphasised at the Organic Producers’ Conference. Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:01:01 +0000 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=54989 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=54995 Innovative pest control business Lazo TPC Global, which trades as AgroThermal Systems, has received significant new funding from private investors and restructured its ownership and management team. Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:35:11 +0000 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=54995 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=54993 Tesco has dropped market share as Iceland puts in its strongest performance in a decade. Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:29:16 +0000 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=54993 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=54991 New Zealand top-fruit output is forecast to be match 2011’s crop but will be up to two weeks late and features the smallest Braeburn crop for a generation. Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:01:02 +0000 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=54991 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=54990 The fresh produce trade needs to take a holistic approach to increase consumption, pan-European trade body Freshfel Europe has warned. Tue, 31 Jan 2012 08:01:02 +0000 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=54990 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=54992 Skills council Lantra is calling for growers to take part in an extensive review examining roles, skills and responsibilities of those working across horticulture. Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:26:00 +0000 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=54992 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=54900 A social enterprise that provides business guidance and support has begun importing fruit at London’s New Spitalfields Market to generate profits to help producers in developing countries tackle poverty through trade. Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:01:02 +0000 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=54900 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=54950 Total Berry is working on a new technique to provide a more accurate assessment for strawberry taste, quality and maturity measurement than brix. Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:01:01 +0000 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=54950 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=54987 Chiquita Brands International has been downgraded this week from a \'neutral\' rating to an \'underperform\' rating by Zacks Investment Research. Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:01:01 +0000 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=54987