FRUIT AND VEGETABLE NEWS
Direct connections between Chile and China boost exports
The main season for Chilean cherries in China 2025/26 began on 5 December 2025 with the arrival of the first Cherry Express vessel. The MSC Lome V docked at the Port of Nansha in Guangzhou carrying around 370 refrigerated containers (approximately 8,000 tonnes) of fresh cherries from the Port of San Antonio in Chile, according to Frutas de Chile
Biostimulants, rapid growth: the European market reaches €5 billion
They promise to promote crop growth and resilience to climate change and environmental stress (high temperatures, drought, excess salinity, etc.), as well as to improve the quality of agri-food production, while supporting sustainable agronomic practices
Rijk Zwaan expands breeding and research capacity
On 9 December, Rijk Zwaan celebrated the opening of its new greenhouse in De Lier, the Netherlands: ‘De Hybride Phase 2’. This marks the next step in the company’s breeding activities for tomato, sweet pepper and aubergine crops. The new facility creates extra space for research and development related to innovative varieties
Mexican mango growers target new international markets
Small-scale mango producers in Mexico are seeking stronger commercial positioning in international markets, while also working to strengthen the national production system in terms of infrastructure, productivity, and food safety and phytosanitary certifications
Pineapple climbs into the Top 10 most-consumed fruits
A survey carried out earlier this year on consumers’ favourite fruits, commissioned by Fyffes, places pineapple in tenth position among the fruits most consumed in the past six months
The EU reaches a provisional agreement on new genomic techniques
The measures agreed will help farmers grow plants that are more resilient to climate change and more sustainable, as producers will need fewer resources, fertilisers and pesticides to combat pests and diseases
WUR and Biobest strengthen Messelink’s chair in biological control
During this year, Prof. Dr. Ir. Gerben Messelink was reappointed as Extraordinary Professor of Resilient Cropping Systems with Biological Pest Control in Greenhouse Horticulture within the Entomology Group led by Prof. Dr. Bregje Wertheim at Wageningen University & Research (WUR)
Jingold bets on Spain with its yellow-flesh Jintao kiwi
The Italian kiwi specialist has begun marketing the first 200 tonnes of Spanish-grown Jintao yellow-flesh kiwifruit and is expanding its offer to Iberian retailers with its premium red- and green-flesh varieties. An additional 1,500 tonnes of yellow kiwis from Portugal will also arrive, reinforcing a supply chain that is increasingly integrated, sustainable and aligned with market needs
McDonald’s and AFAMMER bring the countryside debate to Congress
More than 70% of McDonald’s Spain’s supply chain comes from national producers, reaffirming its commitment to rural development and sustainability
Chile’s 2025–26 reefer fruit export season sets sail
The event marks the start of Cool Carriers’ refrigerated vessel season, with shipments of cherries, blueberries and stonefruit bound for the United States
“Long Live Green Queen”: the artichoke that is revolutionising the market after 80 years of tradition
BASF | Nunhems organised a unique journey from field to table —ending at the Alícia Foundation founded by Ferran Adrià— to celebrate a milestone: its first hybrid artichoke, Green Queen, which already accounts for 98% of exports
Montosa strengthens its operations in France with a new warehouse in Perpignan
The new centre, which began operating in early November, represents an increase of more than 130% in space compared to the previous facility
