FRUIT AND VEGETABLE NEWS
‘Vision 260’: South Africa’s citrus goal for 2032
The South African citrus industry is one of the world’s leading players in the global fruit export market. As the second-largest exporter of fresh citrus fruit worldwide—after Spain—South Africa ships produce to over 100 countries
SanLucar and Iberian Premium Fruits relaunch Vale da Rosa grapes
Portuguese agricultural group Vale da Rosa, one of Europe’s leading seedless grape producers and the top table grape brand in Portugal, has taken a decisive step towards its relaunch following the approval of its recovery plan by creditors
SanLucar signs exclusive production and export agreement with Sun World® in Ecuador
SanLucar, the premium brand of fruit and vegetables, has taken a strategic step in its international expansion by signing an exclusive production and export agreement with Sun World®, a global leader in varietal innovation and development. This collaboration focuses particularly on the development of new table grape varieties, as well as other species and varieties for production in Ecuador
Low-chill blueberries continue to excel
Blueberry producers across the Northern Hemisphere report strong results for the 2025 season, with standout performances from Tropical Blue, Sweet Duchess, Gladiator and Maverick. New selections also show promising potential for future markets
Zespri forecasts strong 2025/26 returns for growers
Average per hectare returns for many varieties are predicted to exceed the record returns seen in 2024/25
Interpera focuses on innovation and cooperation
The Corda Campus in Hasselt, Belgium, will be the location of the latest edition of the International Pear Congress, Interpera, which takes place on 25-26 June
Eosta announces large-scale emissions reductions across global business
Eosta has announced significant progress in cutting its carbon footprint, with the sustainability-focused company revealing that it managed to reduce topline emissions by more than 60% between 2020 and 2023
Chiquita launches “Likely the best snack ever” campaign
By stepping directly into the snack aisle, the brand is putting its iconic yellow fruit front and center—as a naturally sweet, mess-free option for everything from lunchboxes and gym bags to road trips and gaming setups
EU approves new tariffs on Russian and Belarusian agricultural goods
The Council of the EU on June 12 approved fresh tariffs on fertilizers and remaining agricultural goods from Russia and Belarus, aiming to reduce Russian export revenues
Are drones the most effective way to spray?
One drone costs between $30,000 and $40,000 and can spray much closer to the field than other application methods, at 10 feet off the canopy
Urban agriculture and the rise of the vertical farming market in smart cities
Climate change and urban expansion demand urgent development of sustainable, space-efficient food systems. Vertical farming meets this challenge by producing pesticide-free food in controlled environments, maximizing urban space through vertical stacking. Combining hydroponic, aeroponic, and aquaponic systems with smart technologies, it is reshaping the future of agriculture
Farmers and NGOs warn of severe impact if agricultural budget is cut in 2025
In UK, the National Trust and RSPB have joined forces with farmers to warn the government that cutting the agricultural budget could be “catastrophic” for nature and rural businesses
