Latest fresh produce news and analysis articles 
Weighing up the latest in fruit and veg
US: Seneca Foods FY sales, earnings rise
24 May 2013
Seneca Foods has booked an increase in full-year earnings on the back of higher sales and one-time gains.
just-food's research round-up: Baby food in central Europe, biscuits in India
23 May 2013
The latest batch of reports from the just-food research store includes baby food markets in central Europe, biscuits in India, and UK bread production.
The week ahead - M&S, Dairy Crest FYs, Hormel Foods H1s
20 May 2013
UK meat processor Cranswick, dairy group Dairy Crest and Marks and Spencer, perhaps the most scrutinised name on the country's high street, are all set to announce annual results next week. In the US, Spam owner Hormel Foods will post its half-year results.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
20 May 2013
The week ended on a high note for Morrisons last week after it announced a venture to launch into the online channel with Ocado. The deal has again fuelled speculation that the deal could upset Ocado's current arrangement with Waitrose. Other deals this week included the acquisition of US baby food firm Happy Family by Danone. just-food also spoke with founder of Amy's Kitchen, Amy Berliner about its growth plans.
just-food's research round-up: the CIVETS markets, packaged food in the US
17 May 2013
The latest batch of reports from the just-food research store includes emerging food and drinks markets, packaging for an ageing population and packaged food in the US.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
13 May 2013
The quarterly results continued to roll in this week and we listened to a number of CEOs talk about the challenges and opportunities they face in 2013. Elsewhere, just-food covered Hofex, the largest food and hospitality tradeshow in Asia-Pacific, where we spoke with UK SMEs about their international ambitions. Retailer Delhaize Group has also begun the search for a new CEO following the resignation of Pierre-Olivier Beckers.
CANADA: Lassonde Industries delivers Q1 profit
10 May 2013
Canadian drink and speciality food group Lassonde Industries said it managed to deliver profit growth in the first-quarter, despite sales volume declines across the industry.
On the money: Morrisons secures uplift in fresh sales
9 May 2013
While UK retailer Morrisons witnessed the erosion of like-for-like sales continue as it moved into the first quarter of this year, the group emphasised it is starting to see positive revenue trends, led by improvements in its key fresh categories.
UK: Industry targets food waste, carbon with new pledge
9 May 2013
Manufacturers including Nestle and Mars, as well as retailers like Sainsbury's and Marks and Spencer, have pledged to further cut food waste and carbon emissions in the UK.
IRELAND: Fyffes eyeing M&A opportunities for growth
9 May 2013
Produce giant Fyffes is "actively" looking for acquisitions to boost its core businesses of bananas, pineapples and melons.
SPAIN: Florette buys salad producer Sogesol
9 May 2013
French prepared salads group Florette has acquired ready-to-eat salad producer Sogesol in a bid to strengthen its position in Spain.
BELGIUM: Retailer Colruyt consolidates own-label lines
9 May 2013
Belgian retailer Colruyt has decided to bring together over 50 own-label brands under a new name.
EU: Brussels proposes reform, tougher fines after horsemeat saga
7 May 2013
EU food safety laws are facing reform under new proposals from the European Commission, which wants to "simplify and strengthen" controls in the wake of the horsemeat contamination saga.
US: Chiquita claims progress after Q1 profit
7 May 2013
Chiquita Brands International today (7 May) claimed it was continuing to see the benefit of its restructuring after it booked a first-quarter profit.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
3 May 2013
Two UK-based firms were the subject of takeovers this week: R&R Ice Cream, Europe's largest own-label ice cream firm, changed hands after PAI Partners struck a deal to buy the business; and Hain Celestial snapped up UK organic baby food brand Ella's Kitchen.
US: Dole Q1 "in line" despite EU lawsuit hit
3 May 2013
Dole Food Co. has insisted its first-quarter results were in line with expectations after underlying earnings were hit by a fine for alleged anti-competition practices in the EU.
FRANCE: Europe hits Bonduelle Q3 sales
2 May 2013
French vegetable processor Bonduelle has recorded an increase in third-quarter revenue but underlying sales were hit by a slowdown in Europe.
US: Fresh Del Monte profits slip on banana prices
1 May 2013
Fresh Del Monte Produce saw its first-quarter profits drop by more than a third on the back of an over-supply of bananas in Europe.
Gluten free: The marketing and regulatory environment
30 April 2013
As the market for gluten-free foods expands in the future, it is highly likely the way companies target and market their products may undergo some form of change.
Gluten free: Germany, Canada, Australia among other growth markets
30 April 2013
Aside from the US and UK, where the gluten-free category is witnessing strong growth, there are a number of other gluten free markets look likely to develop elsewhere over the coming years.
Gluten free: The US market
30 April 2013
In addition to being one of the world's largest markets for gluten-free foods, the US continues to represent one of its fastest growing.
UK/SERBIA: Lamex Food to buy fruit, veg firm Mondi Serbia
29 April 2013
UK-based global frozen and chilled food exporter Lamex Food Group has signed a deal to acquire Serbian frozen fruit and vegetable processor Mondi Serbia.
The week ahead - US retail conference; Kellogg, Kraft Q1s
29 April 2013
Wal-Mart, Kroger and Supervalu are among the US retailers presenting at a Barclays sector conference next week. The first-quarter results will continue to roll in, with Kellogg, Kraft Foods Group and Canadian retailer Loblaw part of a group of companies to publish numbers.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
29 April 2013
just-food spoke with ABF CEO George Weston this week following the release of the firm's first-half figures. The chief executive spoke about the performance of and prospects for the firm's food operations. Elsewhere, Ocado dismissed reports of a potential takeover by Morrisons, while Nestle defended a trademark lawsuit it has filed against Petra Foods over the Singapore firm's Delfi Take-It chocolate bar.
Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food last week
29 April 2013
Associated British Foods grabbed the headlines this week - for good and tragic reasons. Twenty-four hours before a factory in Bangladesh that supplied ABF's discount clothing chain Primark, just-food discussed the Kingsmill bread owner's half-year results. Another UK-listed major, Unilever, this week reported its Q1 sales, which missed analyst estimates on weaker spreads and ice cream sales. Elsewhere, we analysed the return of GM to national UK headlines and China's attempts to improve food safety.
Comment: Why it can be in a grocer's interest to help a supplier
26 April 2013
The plight of Australian supplier Spring Gully Foods, which is in administration, has again shone the spotlight on the country's grocery sector, of which two retailers enjoy a combined market share of 70%-plus. However, it has also been an example of why retailers do provide assistance to ailing suppliers.
US: Chiquita names Frier CFO
24 April 2013
Chiquta Brands International has named Rick Frier as its new chief financial officer as the US fruit group looks to turn around its struggling operations.
Best bits: Emerging market operations under more scrutiny
23 April 2013
A decade ago, the conversation around emerging markets was purely about growth. Now, with the developing world accounting for a growing chunk of some businesses, and with some of the faster-growing economies cooling, there is more attention on company performance in the BRICs and beyond. As Nestle found out last week.
BRICs and beyond: China looks to tighten food safety regulation
22 April 2013
The elevation of China's State Food & Drug Administration (SFDA) to a ministry level entity will consolidate the oversight of food safety issues under one umbrella. The Chinese authorities are hoping that the move will convince consumers that the government is serious about tackling the country's food safety problems. Nevertheless, a number of challenges remain. David Green reports from Beijing.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
22 April 2013
The industry's first-quarter results continued to pour in last week and two of France's leading retailers, Carrefour and Casino revealed sales figures that got analysts talking. Carrefour appeared pleased with its domestic performance, while Casino was encouraged by the results of recent pricing initiatives. Elsewhere, Tesco finally confirmed its plans to exit the US and revealed it had received and was pursuing interest in the business.
