First half 2023: fruit sinks consumption. Inflation at 6%.
The first six months ended negatively for the fruit and vegetable department of the large-scale retail trade. Volume figures denote the current difficulties in the sector, especially for fruit,

"Both food retailers and wholesalers are showing great interest in blueberries"
"Blueberry cultivation in Bavaria is still quite manageable because the necessary soils for it do not actually exist and accordingly a lot has to be invested in soil preparation," says Andreas

Between inflation and uncertainty, consumption still languishes
Data released by Istatrelative to retail sales in May show a trend increase in value of +3.0%, which corresponds to a drop in volume of -4.7%. "The consumption trend is still showing signs of

Retail demand and consumption in Ireland remain stable and unchanged on recent weeks
Retail demand and consumption remain stable and unchanged on recent weeks. Yields of Queens continue to be reported average at best with a lot of regional variability and demand remains strong for

"We are still harvesting German green asparagus for just under a week"
This year's asparagus season will be remembered as satisfactory. "Except for the last three weeks from the beginning of June, we had consistently good qualities, which is mainly due to the cool

Aldi still largest purchaser of British apples sold to UK supermarkets by BAPL growers in May 2023

First German onions available on the market
In onions, the range, still dominated by imported goods, is increasingly being supplemented by the first domestic onions. More and more retail chains are switching to the first winter onions.

"Lower watermelon quantities, but sizable enough to be sold in slices in supermarkets"
Geofur started harvesting its almost 60 hectares of watermelons located between the Ostiglia (Mantua) and Melara (Rovigo) municipalities. The market is very receptive at the moment, also because

June watermelons still on the handbrake
Week 24 saw a softening of the trend compared to the previous week for Lcc, but also for fruit and vegetables by weight. Among the channels, discount stores continue to grow in fruit and vegetable

‘Big four’ reject claims of excess profits
Bosses from Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda and Morrisons have told MPs they are not making excess profits from high food and fuel prices, reports the BBC. Executives from the ‘big four’

Carrefour said that it could cut a maximum of up to 979 positions in France
UK: Supermarkets under pressure to explain high prices Supermarket executives will be questioned by MPs over why food prices are still rising as some wholesale costs are falling. The UK's biggest

One in three Italians choose discount stores
In a historical period of great uncertainty, the physical shop still represents a staple in the shopping experience for most customers, as well as one of the most effective ways for retailers to

Végé and Carrefour Italia end agreement on Aicube 4.0 power plant
The VéGé Group and Carrefour Italia, at the end of 2023, will not renew their current collaboration agreement within the framework of Aicube 4.0, the central purchasing unit set up in 2019. Both

Aldi remains the largest customer of BAPL apples in the UK
At almost 3,200 tons, Aldi is still the largest customer of BAPL apples in the UK, followed by Tesco and Sainsburys. Here’s the same monthly data presented as a percentage of all British apples

Strawberries in large-scale retail: is it bad to sell 10% less for 10% more?
In week 22, fruit and vegetables by weight in large-scale retail outlets equalled the values of 2022, while Lcc was still growing. Among the channels, discount fruit and vegetables are now growing

"Business with greenhouse cucumbers is currently disastrous"
"There are currently still 14 to 15 pallets standing around with us that we cannot sell. We had similar problems in the weeks before. While the catering trade is looking for the cheapest possible

Heavyweight speakers get set for Festival of Fresh 2023
From industry leaders, experts and analysts to the bosses of some of Britain’s leading suppliers and supermarkets, Festival of Fresh 2023 has something for everyone. There’s still time to

Alegra determined to meet its commitments to the large-scale retail trade
"An unprecedented challenge, for us and for fruit growing in Romagna. The Alegra Group is acting on the rescheduling of work to ensure continuity in supplies and respect for commitments made with

Penny Italia has concluded the acquisition of 16 stores
Still getting 5 a day? High prices force Belgians to buy less fruit and veg A quarter of all Belgians now buy less fruit and vegetables compared to this time last year, as soaring food prices and

Later transition to import soft citrus in 2023?
There’s always a bit of uncertainty hanging over just when U.S. retailers will start the transition to imported soft citrus. “This year is no different,” says Mark Greenberg of Capespan

"We are still shipping 65 pallets a day of strawberries to Italian markets and big retail chains"
Rocco Zuccarella, president of Zuccarella Società Cooperativa Agricola from Scanzano Jonico (Matera) reports that there are still less than 20 days to go until the end of the 2022/23 strawberry

"Lower Saxony storage potatoes hardly available on the open market"
This year's potato marketing season is now in its final spurt. "Alternative goods are being phased out: hardly any goods are still available on the open market and are traded at higher prices; in

Italian White Onion from Margherita ready to enter the retail market
There are still vegetables that are planted and harvested by hand and grown on small plots of rarely more than a hectare. An example is the Margherita White Onion with Protected Geographical