EDITORIAL
Not enough visibility
Spain is known worldwide as a tourist country. This is no coincidence: tourism represents more than 12% of the national GDP and exceeds 80 million visitors per year. It is a recognized sector with clear media visibility
PROFILE OF THE MONTH
Boaz Oosthoek: The ‘Holandaluz’
Boaz Oosthoek is 40 years old and was born in the small town of Berkel en Rodenrijs, just five minutes from Rotterdam. Raised in a family with strong Protestant beliefs, he describes himself as a very traditional person. He is the father of four daughters, aged between 11 and 2, and the family may not yet be complete
IN DEPHT
The sector can grow at double-digit rates—if we get it right
The presentation of AECOC’s first ‘Fruit and Vegetable Sector Pulse’ raises new questions about the future of the fresh produce supply chain. We discuss it with Enrique de los Ríos, Chairman of the Fruit and Vegetable Committee and CEO of UNICA
OPINION
Everything still to be done: 50 years of transferring innovation and knowledge
Opinion article. Roberto García Torrente, Director of Sustainability and Agri-food Development at Grupo Cajamar
FRUIT ATTRACTION
ILIP focuses on berries, T2T recycling and Hortipack at Fruit Attraction
The Bologna-based company heads to Madrid with sustainable and innovative solutions for fresh produce and the horticultural sector. New stand layout featuring a large screen dedicated to the tray to tray recycling process
15th Anniversary of the ‘Estrellas de Internet’
This year, the ‘Estrellas de Internet’ Awards celebrate their 15th edition with record participation and an increase in international companies
Raffaello, the zucchini that stands out for its high yield
This Semillas Fitó variety is consolidating its position as a benchmark in the Iberian market thanks to its excellent agronomic performance, fruit quality and resistance to key viruses that determine farmer profitability
New formats and showcooking at Gallombares’ stand
The company, which this year celebrates its 30th anniversary, is present at Fruit Attraction
Fruit Attraction breaks its own records
With more than 2,500 exhibiting companies, 75,000 square meters of commercial offerings and the attendance of over 120,000 professionals from 150 countries, the fair surpasses its own records
INDUSER strengthens its structure and consolidates its growth
The company grows to get closer to its customers. In Portugal and Peru it has recently developed blueberry projects
Maf Roda showcases post-harvest technology with AI and robotics at Fruit Attraction
The company presents advanced solutions in automation, artificial intelligence and operational efficiency to optimize fruit and vegetable processing
Agrícola Navarro de Haro adds Crü to its catalogue
In 2026, it expects to produce 250,000 kg of this specialty zucchini, distinguished by its speckled skin and the possibility of being eaten raw
Panora: official launch in Madrid
It will be officially presented at Fruit Attraction as a key ally for growers
“The PPWR will bring a radical shift to the agri-food chain”
Pro Food warns of the impact of the new EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, which will come into force in 2026
Sinclair launches a new, more technical website
The portal, which covers technical topics on packaging, composting and sustainable practices, is designed to support stakeholders in the context of new packaging regulations
More ‘Vikings’ from Syngenta
Following the launch of Nilsa, the company expands its Dutch cucumber portfolio with Ragnar (LC 222313), which features a five-resistance package
Frutas Torero will extend the grape season until November
Days before his trip to Asia Fruit Logistica, Antonio Caballero, manager of Frutas Torero, spoke with Fruit Today magazine to discuss the details of the Murcian grape campaign, which this year could indeed reach into November
Ibero-American Meeting on Garlic Science and Cultivation
On October 7 and 8, the municipality of Pulpí in Almería will host the Ibero-American Meeting on Garlic Science and Cultivation, an event that will bring together more than 200 professionals from the main garlic-producing countries in Ibero-America. The event will place Spain at the center of the international debate on the present and future of this strategic crop
El Ciruelo pays tribute to its team and unveils new developments
El Ciruelo will take part in the upcoming Fruit Attraction with a stand that pays tribute to the daily work of its employees, celebrating the hands behind every piece of fruit—a symbol of effort and dedication in both the field and the warehouse
Sormac will present its latest innovations at Pack Expo and Fruit Attraction
Sormac to showcase leading technology for the fresh-cut industry at two of the industry’s most influential trade shows this autumn: Pack Expo, Las Vegas (29 September – 1 October 2025) and Fruit Attraction, Madrid (30 September – 2 October 2025)
Agrobío at Fruit Attraction 2025: Leading the natural way
Beyond the pace of the trade fair, Agrobío proposes a space to pause, observe and reconnect with what is essential. An invitation to imagine agriculture from a new perspective: more natural and more alive
AgroFresh drives postharvest at Fruit Attraction
AgroFresh, a global leader in postharvest technologies, will present in Madrid its complete portfolio of solutions to protect fruit quality and reduce food waste: SmartFresh™, Harvista™, FreshCloud™ Inspection and Rubens
Princess Amandine® makes a strong entrance at Fruit Attraction
The brand is committed to consolidation, excellence in quality and the promotion of local production
On its 50th anniversary, Anecoop showcases its diversity and quality
This year, Anecoop Group’s participation at Fruit Attraction carries a very special meaning. The agri-food cooperative celebrates its 50th anniversary, and this industry gathering at IFEMA is the perfect setting to kick off such a significant milestone
Bayer Seminis strengthens its QR range
After the promising debut of Pontius and the growth of Aurelius, the company is preparing the arrival of new references for the mid-cycle segment
Berries del Oeste strengthens its position in Huelva
In just four years, Berries del Oeste has secured a prominent place in the heart of Huelva’s strawberry industry, one of the largest production hubs in Europe
Fresh cut, Bollo’s new value proposition
The company has incorporated the “ready to eat” fruit concept into its value proposition, a strategic move aimed at reinforcing its leadership in the premium fruit market
Bonnysa: Flavors of the World in 5th range family
This proposal is designed for those who enjoy exploring international cuisine with the guarantee of quality and flavor from one of the pioneering companies in the production of fresh cut and 5th range products in the agri-food sector
The taste of the French fields crosses the border
The French Pavilion will be an unmissable space at Fruit Attraction to discover the excellence, innovation and sustainable commitment of the French agri-food industry
Cricket starts the new season with stability
In this new campaign they expect to reach 110,000 tons, a figure similar to the 2024/25 season
Cuna de Platero accelerates its growth
The company, which offers its clients fruit all year round, attends the fair under the slogan “Our fruit, a masterpiece,” with a staging that will surprise visitors
Zespri closes a record-breaking year
The New Zealand multinational, a global benchmark in kiwi marketing, has exceeded all expectations for its 2024/25 fiscal year, reaching global sales of over €2.77 billion
TROPICAL FRUIT
Montosa: positive outlook for quality and quantity
The Málaga-based tropical fruit specialist forecasts optimal volumes and sizes for both mangoes and avocados in the 2025/26 season
Positive outlook for avocados
As every year, Compañía Aguacatera del Sur will be present at Fruit Attraction, “the largest fair in the national sector and gaining ground internationally in terms of attendance. It is a perfect time for the entire business chain to come together.” Its agenda is full of meetings with suppliers from different origins and clients with whom, for a few days, they will interact face to face to “grow together.”
Alcoaxarquía enters Walmart and Costco
The group consolidates its position in the U.S. market, which already receives 30% of the production from its Peruvian subsidiary
Subtropicals: from production rebound to the shadow of drought
The sector faces a promising national campaign in terms of production, without losing sight of structural problems and the geopolitical landscape
Natural Tropic expects to reach 4,000 t of mango
The company faces the new campaign with higher mango production and quality, and also has positive prospects for avocado
The other unknown tropicals
A new generation of exotic tropicals could make its way into Spanish fields
Reyes Gutiérrez foresees a historic year for Spanish mangoes
This locally grown fruit could mark a milestone in international market recognition
“Fresh cut will be one of the drivers of growth”
TROPS is building its new processing plant, which will be operational by the end of 2026
Viveros Brokaw expects to exceed one million plants by 2030
In 2025/26 they will reach 900,000 plants, consolidating their commitment to clonal plants, diversification, and a strategy of sustainability and R&D
APPLE
FruitFutur and IRTA take their research to China
The variety developed under the Hot Climate Partnership programme by IRTA, New Zealand’s Plant & Food Research, and Fruitfutur continues its global expansion, with 300 hectares now planted in China
Blue Whale to increase volumes by 15% thanks to Pink Lady
The incorporation of new hectares of plantations, as well as the addition of more growers, will allow the French cooperative to reach nearly 285,000 tons of marketed fruit, with the Pink Lady apple as the main driver of growth
“Due to lack of water, we have demanded too much from the trees”
Although water shortages in apple-producing areas of Girona persist, the 2026 campaign comes with an overall improvement that allows optimism regarding the season’s development
Stability in European apple production does not ease concerns
Stability in European apple production does not ease concerns for a sector of vital importance to many regions in Europe
34% of Catalonia’s apple production is now concentrated in Girona
The counties of Alt Empordà, Baix Empordà and Gironès now concentrate 34% of Catalonia’s apple production
VOG celebrates 80 years of apple innovation
The Italian apple consortium celebrates its 80th anniversary with a season full of promotional actions for its different brands
CITRUS FRUIT
Spanish lemon production will remain above 1Mt, but falls 18%
The crop estimate by AILIMPO (the Spanish Lemon and Grapefruit Interprofessional Association) for the upcoming 2025/2026 season is 1,027,000 tons, representing an 18% decline
Climate puts Spanish citrus under pressure
The Spanish citrus forecast is the lowest in 16 years, not reaching 5.5 million tons
IVIA: major breakthrough against the most destructive citrus disease
Scientists from the Entomology Unit of the Valencian Institute of Agricultural Research (IVIA) have taken a giant step forward in their fight against the most serious disease in citrus production, Huanglongbing (HLB)
TOMATO AND PEPPER
Spanish tomato to be the star of Fruit Attraction 2025
Tomato has been chosen as the ‘Star Product’ of the 17th edition of Fruit Attraction, the leading international showcase for the fruit and vegetable industry, organised by IFEMA MADRID and FEPEX
Syngenta’s Microsegmentation Strategy Gains Ground in Murcia
The company grows its pepper sales in the region and adds Barracus and Terranova to its portfolio
Rijk Zwaan showcases the strength of tomatoes
The company partners with Coexphal to promote the star product of Fruit Attraction and will present some of its latest innovations
The Nabone pepper makes a strong entrance at Fruit Attraction
Intersemillas arrives in Madrid with the potential of its Italian sweet peppers Nabone and Udine
Keops Agro strengthens its regenerative commitment in tomatoes
Its flagship product holds AENOR Regenerative Agriculture certification, supported by the Epigen Healthy Bite model
Harmoniz aims to elevate the pepper category
The company is developing new California pepper varieties to complement Bernabel and Bonáyar and working on “unique specialties” to stand out on the shelf
Cooperativa La Palma promotes a more conscious and responsible model
It invites us to take agriculture, food and the future seriously with a clear proposal: to produce with awareness, responsibility and sensitivity
Tomatoes suffers the biggest drop in value in its history
In 2023, the global value of tomatoes fell by 11.6%, the steepest decline in the historical series since 1991, and its growth lags far behind other horticultural categories
Enza Zaden’s HREZ tomato: resistance driving the future
Among its latest developments are three new cherries: Goldstream (yellow), Serifox (orange) and Corsica (brown
Tribelli® Seedless and easyQs® arrive at Fruit Attraction 2025
From September 30 to October 2, you will find two of Enza Zaden’s most innovative brands at stand 10B09A
Bonnysa goes big on tomato innovation
The new tomato greenhouses located in Isla Plana (Murcia) are a shining example of sustainability and cutting-edge technology, where the most advanced and high value-added varieties on the market are grown
BASF | Nunhems takes its revolution to IFEMA
It will present a portfolio of new developments with tomato, melon and watermelon as key highlights
Syngenta Develops Two New Tomatoes with IR to ToBRFV
One is a vine type and the other a Canary type, adding to the recent launch of Legislador (TIPL 21-S008)
PERSIMMON
Kaki recovers production, but loses ground in acreage
The 2025/26 persimmon season begins with better prospects than the last. Production is expected to exceed 300,000 tons, a figure that contrasts with the scarce 240,000 tons of 2024/25
Oreto is born, the September persimmon
The Valencian cooperative Nuestra Señora del Oreto (CANSO), based in l’Alcúdia, has achieved a historic milestone in its varietal improvement plan: the launch of Oreto, a new persimmon variety that brings the season forward to September
