Europe

Alpine Fresh Makes Significant Investment in European Blueberry Specialist ABB Growers

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 23:06:53 GMT

Alpine Fresh says it has made a significant investment in ABB Growers, a Netherlands-based blueberry specialist.

Alpine Fresh says this partnership unites two companies focused on sustainably and efficiently bringing the best berries from farm to market. By combining global sourcing, strong local networks, and advanced technology, the grower, packer, and marketer of fresh berries and other fresh fruits and vegetables is uniquely positioned.

“This partnership significantly expands our sourcing footprint, with growers across the Americas, Europe, North Africa, Southern Africa, and India,” says Flavio Collis, investments and business development manager with Alpine Fresh. “ABB has built a strong grower support network across these regions over 25 years, with extensive agronomic knowledge, strict quality protocols, and efficient logistics. That infrastructure is already in place.”

The company connects growers across three continents to leading retailers through its state-of-the-art sorting and packing facility in Horst, Netherlands. Collis calls this facility “among the best in the industry,” noting that Alpine Fresh will actively leverage and learn from this technology.

The addition of Alpine Fresh’s multi-berry portfolio will introduce access to exclusive and semi-exclusive premium varieties for European customers. This partnership allows European retailers to source a full berry program year-round through a single partner with access to premium variety programs providing added geographical diversity on a platform built for long-term partnerships.

“For our U.S. customers, that means more origins, more seasonal coverage, and the ability to grow and commercialize our exclusive and semi-exclusive varieties across a much larger and already proven grower network,” Collis says. “When supply is tight in the U.S., we have more options to pull from. We believe that is the practical benefit.”

ABB Growers’ founder Fred Douven and Stefan Spanjaard, head of European operations for Alpine Fresh, will jointly lead the company as co-CEOs and plan to build a future centered around quality, reliability, scale, and innovation.

“For U.S. category managers, the bottom line is that Alpine Fresh just became a bigger, more reliable, more year-round berry partner,” Collis says. “Same team, same service, more firepower behind it.”

Italy’s Ripening Market Enters New Phase as Catalytic Generators Targets Expansion

Fri, 08 May 2026 19:36:25 GMT

As Italy’s fresh produce sector evolves, driven by strong banana imports, growing avocado demand and a well-established persimmon market, the need for simple, safe and controlled ripening solutions is increasing. Still at an early stage in the country, Catalytic Generators used its first participation at the Macfrut 2026 show to increase visibility, engage with Italian operators and lay the foundations for future growth.

Italy stands out as one of Europe’s key fresh produce markets, particularly in fruit categories where controlled ripening plays a central role. According to FAOSTAT, the Food and Agriculture Organization’s corporate statistical database, the country imports over 600,000 metric tons of bananas annually, making it one of the largest banana markets in Europe and underlining the importance of efficient and reliable ripening operations across the supply chain.

Catalytic Generators is targeting expansion in Italy’s evolving fresh produce market.

(Photo courtesy of Catalytic Generators)

At the same time, consumption patterns are evolving. As indicated by the Netherlands CBI agency, avocado demand across Europe has grown significantly in recent years and is expected to continue expanding.

Avocados are projected to become the second-most traded tropical fruit globally by 2030, while already ranking as the second-most valuable imported fruit in Europe. In 2024 alone, European avocado imports reached a value of 3.5 billion euros, of which 2.8 billion euros came from developing countries. This sustained growth, driven by increasing consumer demand and ongoing investment in production, is reinforcing the need for precise and controlled ripening processes across emerging markets such as Italy.

In parallel, Italy remains one of the leading European producers of persimmons, a category where ethylene application is already well understood and widely used in postharvest operations. This combination of mature and fast-growing fruit categories is increasing pressure on operators to deliver consistent, repeatable results at scale. As a result, ensuring fruit quality while maintaining operational efficiency and compliance with strict European regulations is becoming a growing priority.

As supply chains become more complex and demand for uniform ripeness increases, the application of ethylene is emerging as a critical control point.

Supply Stability: A Growing Concern

In addition to these structural trends, supply stability is becoming an increasingly relevant concern for ripening operations as a result of recent geopolitical developments.

“Ethylene is a high-demand commodity used across multiple industrial sectors, with overall demand extending far beyond fruit ripening. As a result, recent geopolitical conflict is creating increasing pressure on availability and pricing stability in some regions, making supply reliability a growing concern for ripening operations,” says Greg Akins, president and CEO of Catalytic Generators. “To address these risks, our systems enable on-site ethylene generation, helping operators reduce dependency on external supply chains, gain greater control over supply and limit exposure to volatility.”

New Zealand dairy giant Fonterra to pay Danone for recall

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 03:01:28 GMT

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (AP) — An arbitration tribunal has ordered New Zealand dairy giant Fonterra to pay Danone of France $125 million for recall costs stemming from a 2013 food scare.

The recall was made out of concerns, which proved later to be untrue, that some Fonterra products supplied to four Danone Nutricia baby formula plants in Asia were tainted by bacteria that can cause botulism.

Danone recalled products from eight regional markets.

Fonterra said Friday that it was disappointed over the ruling by an arbitration tribunal. It says its supplier agreement with Danone made it not liable for the recall costs.

Danone issued a statement welcoming the decision.

Fonterra is a cooperative owned by more than 10,500 farmers and enjoys a near monopoly on New Zealand milk. It is the world’s biggest dairy exporter.

The cooperative’s CEO, Theo Spierings, said in a statement that the 2013 recall was precautionary and that reviews by Fonterra and by the New Zealand government found no risk to the public or wrongdoing by the company.

“The decision to invoke a precautionary recall was based on technical information obtained from a third party, which later turned out to be incorrect,” it said.

Worries over product quality of infant formula are a strong concern in Asia, especially China, after repeated problems with safety violations in the dairy industry.

The 2013 scare affected sports drinks, protein drinks and other beverages in addition to formula sold in New Zealand, China, Australia, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and Saudi Arabia. It was treated as a national emergency in New Zealand, where the dairy industry drives the economy.

The New Zealand government charged Fonterra with processing and exporting products in a way that failed to meet safety standards and then not notifying officials quickly enough when it learned of the lapses. The company pleaded guilty and was fined.

Copyright 2017, The Associated Press

Europe’s apple forecast down slightly, pears up double digits

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:42:28 GMT

The World Apple and Pear Association is forecasting Europe’s 2020 apple production to drop slightly from last season, but pears will see a double-digit increase.

The association (WAPA) meets annually at the Prognosfruit Conference, which changed to a virtual event on Aug. 6, because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The group releases its annual production forecast at Prognosfruit .

The forecast for apples includes reports from 21 countries, with Poland (3.4 million tons) Italy (2.1 million tons) and France (1.4 million tons) leading production. Overall European production is forecast at 10.71 million tons in Europe, a 1% from 2019, and a 4% drop in the three-year average, according to the WAPA report.

Poland’s apple production is expected to be up from the low production in 2019, with a 17% increase from year-to-year, but that’s still a 4% drop from the three-year average.

Europe’s top variety production forecasts are:

Golden delicious: 2 million tons;
Galas: 1.5 million tons;
Red delicious: 660,000 tons;
Idared: 598,000 tons; and
Shampion: 444,000 tons.

The WAPA breaks down estimates from more than 2 dozen varieties, and assorted other varieties still add up to 1.7 million tons, according to the release.
European pears

There are 19 countries whose productions are included in the European report.

According to the WAPA, the forecasted pear production of 2.2 million tons is a 12% increase from last year’s production, but just 1% over the three-year average.

Countries with the largest pear crops this season are Italy (642,000 tons), The Netherlands (373,000 tons) and Belgium (362,000 tons), according to the WAPA.

Leading pear varieties are:

Conference: 927,000 tons, a 4% increase from 2019;
Abate Fetel: 287,000, which is just over double of the previous season, but just 9% over the three-year average; and
Williams’ bon chrétien, aka Bartlett in the U.S.: 242,000 tons

Related stories:

World apple, pear group’s southern production report down slightly

Chinese group joins WAPA

CPMA honors member of Parliament as 2020 Produce Champion

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:35:13 GMT

The Canadian Produce Marketing Association has chosen Alistair MacGregor, a member of Canada’s House of Commons, as its 2020 Produce Champion.

MacGregor, a member of the New Democratic Party who represents Cowichan-Malahat-Langford (British Columbia), has been effective in bringing industry issues to the forefront on Parliament Hill, according to a CPMA news release.

“Since his election in 2015, Alistair MacGregor has consistently shown incredible support for the Canadian fresh fruit and vegetable industry,” Ron Lemaire, CPMA president, said in the release. “We are truly grateful for his engagement, and particularly for his advocacy on a range of issues, including the need for a financial protection mechanism for produce sellers, which continues to be a key priority for our members.”

Lemaire interviews MacGregor on Produce Talks , the association’s monthly podcast, and MacGregor will be featured in a video to be shown at the CPMA’s annual convention and trade show , March 2-4 in Vancouver.

“I am honored to be named 2020 Produce Champion and proud to advocate for a sector that contributes so much to Canada’s economy and food security, and to the health and well-being of Canadians from coast to coast to coast.”

Related stories:

CPMA offers waste reduction tool

Vineland Grower Co-op’s Mike Ecker receives CPMA award

CPMA to participate in Canada’s Surplus Food Rescue Program

New Chiquita service to Europe adds energy efficiency

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:41:20 GMT

Chiquita Brands International , Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., has a new dedicated container service from Central America to Europe for bananas .

The service now operates five full-container vessels for bananas on its way to Vlissingen port in The Netherlands, allowing Chiquita to serve all Northern European destinations with fast transit times, according to a news release.

The investment in the new service uses efficient Star Cool containers, resulting in fresher bananas with a longer shelf life, according to the release. The containers use software that control their atmosphere, reducing CO2 use. Each container is 50% more energy efficient than older models.

Star Cool containers are used to transport Chiquita bananas to ports at Everglades, Fla., Freeport, Texas, Wilmington, Del., Gulfport Miss., and Hueneme, Calif., according to Jamie Postell, Chiquita’s director of sales for North America. Two hundred of the containers were added in the U.S. in January 2018 alone, Postell said.

The new service expands their use to bananas sent to Europe.

The new service to The Netherlands is helping reduce fruit handling at ports and an increased stowage capacity of 12.5%, due to more efficient storage. More bananas can be moved each trip, according to the release.

“Looking back over these past years work with the container fleet upgrade, we can proudly say we have achieved something remarkable,” Carolos Lopez Flores, global president of Chiquita, said in the release. “We’ve saved an unprecedented amount of energy – the equivalent of the CO₂ emitted by 3,000 cars per year.”

Capespan restructure streamlines grower to customer link

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:18:56 GMT

Capespan recently completed a two-year process to restructure its fruit business to simplify service for customers and grower partners.

The result is a streamlining between the two ends of its supply chains, according to a news release.

“In order to achieve this, we had to radically simplify our business model and build an integrated Capespan culture of service delivery,” Tonie Fuchs, Capespan managing director, said in a news release.

Capespan’s value proposition is in its ability to supply select customers a basket of fresh fruit from multiple countries through a single contact point directly from the source, according to the release. Investments in technology has allowed to the company to “radically simplify its supply chain, maximize efficiency and significantly reduce costs, according to the release.

“At the same time we will ensure that, with our global footprint, our grower partners will have the best market access for their products, with sustainable and competitive market returns.” Fuchs said in the release. “ … We have changed our focus from being a volume-driven fruit marketer to becoming the service provider of choice to our selected customers.”

Changes to commercial and support functions have been made throughout the business globally, with the main changes in the United Kingdom, Europe and South Africa

Related story:

Capespan launches soft citrus brand Outspan Gems

US Cranberries First Casualty of Trade War

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:05:06 GMT

(Bloomberg) --

The American cranberry industry is one of the biggest losers so far in the escalating trade dispute between the European Union and the U.S.

Imports of the red fruit from the U.S. were on the list of goods targeted last week by the EU for a 25 percent levy in retaliation against American tariffs on steel and aluminum. The U.S. exports about 95 million pounds of cranberries to the bloc each year, according to Tom Lochner, executive director of the Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers. That’s more than any other destination, and accounts for about 12 percent of domestic production.

“This tariff would significantly hinder our ability to compete in these markets,” Lochner said in an interview.

Cranberries are among a basket of all-American goods -- from peanut butter to bourbon whiskey and Harley Davidson motorbikes -- singled out by the EU. The fruit is synonymous with Thanksgiving Dinner, but it’s also a U.S. agricultural success story. The country is the world’s largest producer, with output up 20 percent since 2010. The industry has promoted dry fruit in beverages, and exports have jumped 48 percent in the last six years, in part because of increased sales to China.

Yet cranberries remain a niche market, with only about 1,200 growers. In 2016, the harvest by farmers was valued at $292.3 million while the country’s exports of fresh cranberries, juice, sauces and dried and frozen products was estimated at $340 million. For comparison, total U.S. agricultural exports were $135 billion that year.

U.S. corn and soybean farmers are concerned about what could happen if President Donald Trump withdraws from the North American Free Trade Agreement, or if China targets agricultural commodities in retaliation for the tariffs on metals. But so far, those two major crops have escaped largely unscathed.

“Cranberries are a small segment of U.S. agriculture,” said Terry Humfeld, executive director at the Cranberry Institute, a nonprofit organization founded in 1951 to promote cranberry growers and the industry. “But for our little industry to be impacted does not make any sense. We are concerned.”

The timing of the trade tariffs comes as the cranberry industry grapples with a surplus. Last year it voted to dispose of some supply in order to balance it with demand. The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved the marketing order last month. The industry is recommending growers reduce output 25 percent this year, a plan not used since 2001.

“We hope that all parties involved will reach an agreement to continue to allow U.S. cranberry products into the EU,” Humfeld said. “This is probably an uphill battle we will have to wage.”

Copyright 2018, Bloomberg News

Apeel adds offices, executives as company goes global

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:40:08 GMT

Apeel Sciences , Santa Barbara, Calif., is opening offices in Mexico, the Netherlands and Peru.

The company is opening the offices as global demand for its shelf-life extension technology grows, according to a news release.

Apeel established an agreement with European avocado marketer Nature’s Pride this year, and has been working with U.K. retailer Asda.

The Netherlands office, which is scheduled to be the first of the three to open, will service European accounts. The company’s plant-derived technology was approved by the European Commission in June, according to the release.

The company has added five executives:

Jason De Turris, vice president of brand — He has marketed brands including Rolex, Jell-O, Xbox and Naked Juice, and will use that experience to establish Apeel’s “consumer brand and retail activation strategy,” according to the release.
Viviane Schappo, director of supplier relations-Latin America — Schappo has been with C.H. Robinson for 12 ½ years, most recently as sales manager of the Latin America region. She’ll be supporting Apeel’s partners there and in-country implementation processes, according to the release.
Megan Opp, chief people officer — Her role is to ensure the company’s culture “seamlessly scales as the company grows,” according to the release.
Bill Strong, chief financial officer — As vice president of finance, he helped the company raise $110 million; he has been with the company 3 ½ years; and
Erich Klawuhn, vice president of product — Formerly vice president at View Inc., makers of dynamic glass, Klawuhn will help bring Apeel products to market and identify new “verticals” for Apeel’s technology.

Apeel has plans to hire more than 100 additional employees as it beefs up staffing in the new offices, including product and stratefy, operations and engineering roles.

Related stories:

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David Nelley joins Apeel Sciences as VP of domestic buyer relations

European Nature’s Pride turns to Apeel for avocados

European Green Deal gives produce trade opportunities, Freshfel says

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:25:25 GMT

The 2019 introduction of the European Commission’s European Green Deal invites the produce industry to be a leader in climate neutral and plant-friendly policies, according to industry trade group Freshfel Europe.

“The European Green Deal’s underlying objective is to stimulate plant-based diets across Europe,” Freshfel Europe general delegate Philippe Binard said in a news release. “It is up to the sector to embrace this challenge and build on this new momentum for fresh fruit and vegetables.”

In a 16-page report looking at Europe’s fresh produce priorities for the next five years, Freshfel addressed issues ranging from plastic reduction, international trade, digital technology and traceability, promotion efforts and Europe’s trade relationship with the United Kingdom.

“The fresh produce sector is already a low environmental impact food industry, however Europe’s current geopolitics stimulating climate neutrality in all areas of business will shape operations and trade in the fresh produce sector for decades to come,” Binard said in the release. “Now is the time to act and seize this opportunity to be a leader in meeting environmental and consumer demands now and into the future.”

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Apeel avocados expand to Europe

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:21:07 GMT

Apeel avocados are now selling in Europe.

Apeel Sciences and European produce supplier Nature’s Pride have announced that Apeel avocados are now on store shelves in Europe, according to a news release. Apeel Sciences has developed an edible plant-derived peel, applied by solution, that slows down spoilage and reduces food waste throughout the supply chain.

Nature’s Price is Apeel’s supply partner in Europe and has integrated the Apeel solution across its avocado value chain to bring Apeel avocados to Edeka and Netto in Germany, and Salling Group stores Føtex and Bilka in Denmark, according to the release.

“Approval of Apeel’s technology in Europe demonstrates the European Commission’s commitment to addressing our planet’s massive food waste crisis, which is now understood to be a top contributor to climate change,” James Rogers, CEO and founder of Apeel Sciences, said in the release. “Our U.S. partners are realizing the value of Apeel and are halving their food waste in many cases. Our next critical step is assisting retailers across Europe in their efforts to reduce waste, while simultaneously improving profits and enabling customers to enjoy fresh, high quality produce with a longer shelf life and ripe time.”

Innovation embraced

European produce supplier Nature’s Pride, which distributes fresh produce to more than 50 countries, said in the release that the Apeel Technology in an innovation that will help the environment.

“Every day we work across the entire chain to create innovative solutions that will make the world healthier and more sustainable,” Adriëlle Dankier, chief commercial officer of Nature’s Pride, said in the release. “Apeel allows us to significantly reduce food waste, so we are extremely proud that the result of our intensive cooperation has now reached the shelves. We look forward to reaching more consumers in Europe with our products with Apeel.”

An executive with the Salling Group, a retail group in Denmark, said in the release that Apeel’s technology will help make a dent in food waste.

“Food waste is a major challenge that puts a strain on the environment,” Stephan Bruhn, director at Salling Group, said in the release. “This is why this is a high-priority area in Salling Group and we are investing in solutions and initiatives to ensure that we reach our goal: a 50% reduction in food waste leading up to 2030. We are certain that Apeel can help make a difference, not only for us, but also for customers and households. Therefore, we look forward to introducing the solution in Denmark.”

Rolf Lange, head of corporate communications at German retailer EDEKA Zentrale AG & Co. KG said in the release that the firm also is looking forward to working with Apeel Sciences.

The release said Apeel’s plant-derived coating has demonstrated a greater than 50% food waste reduction, according to the release.
Consumers can discover Apeel produce by the Apeel brandmark on labels and in-store signage, according to the release.

While Apeel avocados are the first Apeel produce category to arrive in Europe, the release said other categories are expected to rollout in the future. European retailers interested in avocados with

Apeel can contact Nature’s Pride, according to the release.
In the U.S., consumers can visit the Apeel website and find nearby retail stores that carry Apeel produce.

Apeel Sciences investors include Andreessen Horowitz, Viking Global Investors, Upfront Ventures, S2G Ventures, Powerplant Ventures, DBL Partners, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, UK Department for International Development, and The Rockefeller Foundation, according to the release.

Related articles:
Apeel adds offices, executives as company goes global
Apeel Sciences reveals supplier network
Kroger expands Apeel avocado program, adds limes, asparagus

Shipping Costs are Surging Globally, Squeezing Grain Traders

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 20:00:58 GMT

(Bloomberg) -- Booming rates to ship iron and coal are giving grain traders a migraine.

The cost of moving pretty much every dry-bulk commodity -- from fertilizer to salt to rocks -- has surged since July, lifting the London-based Baltic Exchange’s main freight gauge to its highest in almost four years. The rally has been fired by China’s insatiable demand for coal and iron ore, more than tripling rates for giant Capesize ships that dominate both trades.

With the surge driving up shipping rate across the board, that’s bad news for agricultural traders already contending with the biggest supply gluts in years: they’re having to pay more to transport crops at a time when they can least afford it.

“Demand for Capesize vessels in the Pacific has been very brisk, partly due to China,” said Alexander Karavaytsev, an economist at the International Grains Council. There’s been a “spillover of demand” for smaller ships -- so-called Panamaxes, Supramaxes and Handysizes that are also used for grains -- because the availability of larger carriers is also restricted in the Atlantic Ocean, he said.

Commodity shipping markets, having gone through a nadir of their own, are now starting to rebound thanks to flows of iron ore and coal that will expand this year by the most in tonnage terms since 2014. That’s at a time when a fleet expansion has slowed dramatically.

Order books for dry-bulk shipping, tankers and container fleets are at very low levels by historic standards, Hartland Shipping Services said in a report, citing data from Clarkson Research. Order books for dry bulk stand at 8.2 percent of existing fleet. The last time it was below 10 percent was in October 2002, two years after which the industry had its biggest boom ever.

The Baltic Dry Index, an overall measure of the Baltic Exchange’s key dry-commodity routes, averaged 1,127 points so far in 2017, on course for its best year in four.

The surge has been led by China. Global trade in iron ore and coal will jump by 5.3 percent to a combined 2.69 billion metric tons of this year about half the cargoes heading to the Asian country, according to data from Clarkson Research Services Ltd., part of the world’s biggest shipbroker. With the fleet of Capesizes expanding by just 3.2 percent, that’s lifted vessel use -- and rates -- for all vessel classes, right down to smallest.

Agricultural traders are finding it harder to stomach the rising freight bill because prices for crops are being undermined by oversupply. World grain stockpiles for this season are forecast to rise for a fifth straight year to a record of about 726 million metric tons, according to the most recent data from the United Nations’ Food & Agriculture Organization. That surpasses last year’s record and is 7 million tons higher than the prior month’s forecast.

As far as the shipping market is concerned, agricultural trade is dwarfed by the heavy industry bulwarks. Grains and oilseeds make up less than 10 percent of all dry-bulk cargoes whereas coal and iron ore account for about half.

The oversupply of crops has helped push the Bloomberg Agriculture Subindex down about two-thirds from its peak set two decades ago. The measure is on course for its lowest annual average since at least 1991. Even agricultural giants, dominated by the “ABCD” quartet of Archer-Daniels-Midland Co., Bunge Ltd., Cargill Inc. and Louis Dreyfus Co., haven’t been immune.

At least 40 senior managers and executives in agriculture left their positions at trading houses such as ADM and Louis Dreyfus this year. ADM announced job cuts in July after disappointing earnings and a loss at its international trading operation. Bunge has announced a $250 million cost cutting program, while Louis Dreyfus and Cargill have sold assets amid challenging market conditions.

Freight isn’t helping their cause as it becomes a growing portion of exported cereal prices. This year, shipping costs will account for 11 percent of the average price on trades tracked by the International Grains Council. That’s the highest in seven years and compares with 8.5 percent in 2016.

With exporters’ margins being negatively impacted, those located farther from their buyers will see their competitiveness wane, Rabobank International said in report.

“Some buyers are becoming more price sensitive and adapting by shifting their grain sourcing to origin countries offering cheaper transportation,” said Karavaytsev of the IGC.

Meanwhile things look relatively good for miners, who’ve mostly managed to pass on the higher freight bills to their customers. Global steel production rose to a record 145.3 million tons in October, according to the latest data from the World Steel Association, with almost half of it being made in China. Iron ore rallied back into a bull market last week as China’s curbs on pollution force buyers to chase high-grade ore from overseas.

Shipments of the steelmaking raw material will total 317.6 million tons this quarter, the second busiest three-month period since at least the start of 2015, according to a forecast from Sanford C. Bernstein Ltd. On an annual basis, they’ll be a record, according to Clarkson.

While grain trade is up too, a surplus of cereals like wheat and corn means exporters can’t pass on the cost of freight in the same way as miners can.

“As Capesize rates hit new highs, there is going to be a trickle down effect on smaller size ships and an impact on grain shippers,” said Oscar Tjakra, senior analyst for grains and oilseeds at Rabobank in Singapore. “Margins of ABCDs are very low right now and they will have to compete by exporting to nearer destinations.”

©2017 Bloomberg L.P.

SmartWash now available to European fresh-cut firms

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 20:31:41 GMT

JBT Corp. and SmartWash Solutions have entered into a partnership to offer fresh-cut produce processors in Europe a food safety solution.

The new company, SmartWash Solutions BV, is based in The Netherlands and offers the washwater system first introduced in the U.S. in 2009 to European processors, according to a news release.

”Food safety is a mega-trend that will transform the marketplace over the next generation,” Carlos Fernandez, JBT executive vice president and president of liquid foods, said in the release. “We’re thrilled to partner with SmartWash Solutions and offer this breakthrough to our customers.”

The solution is designed to maximize the effectiveness of chlorine by combining chlorine-based washes with patented SmartWash chemistry.

“The components of our patented SmartWash solution help to alleviate the challenges associated with fresh-cut produce, comprising a high level of pathogen control that allows us to mitigate the risk of cross contamination and in the process reduce the probability of outbreaks occurring,” Ewoud Buter, general manager of SmartWash Solutions BV, said in the release.

More than half of fresh-cut processors in the U.S. use SmartWash, according to the release.

JBT Corp. designs and manufactures equipment for fresh-cut produce and other industries.

Fresh Del Monte expands distribution of single-serve bananas in Europe

Wed, 08 Feb 2023 21:38:05 GMT

Coral Gables, Fla.-based Fresh Del Monte has announced a strong expansion plan for its convenient 24-count single-serve Del Monte banana box across the European market.

The product is packed in a small box designed to meet the increasing demand for convenient, on-the-go snacking across different retail and foodservice channels, according to a news release. The product is also designed to help European consumers fight inflation while supporting the company’s efforts in sustainable farming and reducing food waste along the supply chain.

The release said Del Monte single-serve bananas are displayed loose, and each finger is marked with the Del Monte Quality logo, making it easy for consumers to shop for the exact quantity they need and reducing the risk of food waste at both the store and household level, the release said.

The bananas are grown on the company’s carbon-neutral-certified farms in Costa Rica and Guatemala, according to the release.

Depending on the country, the bananas will bear the new home compostable sticker that the company rolled out last year to inspire further recycling and composting habits in consumers’ homes.

“In a moment where all reports show an alarming short-term decrease in fresh fruit consumption across Europe and amid inflation tensions that hit consumers’ wallets, we want to reinforce our commitment to make healthy, quality fresh produce accessible to as many households as possible,” Thierry Montange, marketing director for Del Monte Europe Africa, said in the release. “Sometimes shoppers on the go or those living alone feel like buying one or two single fruits, without extra packaging or costs. We believe there should be a quality fresh produce option for them wherever they are. Our commitment to sustainability includes reducing food waste across the whole supply chain and this new offer is a great step in that direction. Our long-standing programs of carbon-neutral farming and regenerative agriculture are meant to inspire our customers and consumers to keep enjoying fresh, nutritious bananas, now as a single-serve snack option with Fresh Del Monte quality.”

The certified sustainably grown single-serve Del Monte bananas will be available for purchase at leading grocery stores and supermarkets across European markets in the next weeks, the release said. The bananas are packed in 10 pounds (4.53 kilograms) loose, with 24 bananas per box.

China, Europe have mixed apple fortunes

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 05:34:50 GMT

CHICAGO - While Europe’s apple crop is up big in 2018, the threat of heavy U.S. tariffs and sharply reduced production are dark clouds over the Chinese apple industry.

Global apple leaders spoke Aug. 23 at the U.S. Apple Association’s Outlook Conference in Chicago about crop prospects and the big decline in China attracted notice.

Michael Choi, Zhonglu America Corp., spoke Aug. 23 on the outlook for the Chinese apple crop.

Based on his travels to growing areas within China, Choi said the biggest freeze damage in 40 years devastated production in parts of western China this year.

The April cold hurt some regions with 30% to 90% damage in that region. Other parts of China saw below-par production.

The freeze damage will cut fresh market and processed market apple availability this year and cause prices to go up.

The overall Chinese apple crop — the biggest in the world even with reduced prospects — is projected at close to 32 million metric tons, he said, down 28% from the 44.5 million metric ton crop of 2017 and 24% below the five year average.

Chinese apple and pear juice concentrates also are being targeted as part of President Trump’s 10% to 25% tariffs on $200 billion worth of imports from China. A decision on those tariffs could be made in September, he said.

Uptick in Europe

In Europe, Phillipe Binard, with the World Apple and Pear Association, said many countries will see double-digit gains in apple output after last year’s short crop.

Overall European production is forecast at 12.61 million metric tons, up 36% from 9.25 million metric tons a year ago.

Binard said uncertainties about trade with the United Kingdom after their exit from the European Union in March next year loom large, in addition to other trade factors including the Russia trade embargo and U.S. trade policy and the short China crop.

Mastronardi partnership opens Sunset of Holland

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 05:54:40 GMT

Mastronardi Produce , Kingsville, Ontario, is investing in a partnership with vegetable exporter Soho Produce, Maasdijk, Netherlands.

The venture, Sunset of Holland, uses Mastronardi’s brand name.

“This partnership will allow us to expand our offerings to our North American customers,” Paul Mastronardi, president and CEO, said in the news release. “Whether they’re seeking flavorful tomatoes, rare purple peppers, Belgium endive, or a unique in-and-out discovery, we can provide a single, efficient procurement solution.”

Remco Beekman, CEO of Soho Produce, will lead sales and marketing for Sunset of Holland, and Paul Schockman, who has more than 15 years of experience in the Dutch and Canadian produce sectors, will lead operations at the company.

Mastronardi Produce is known for producing flavorful greenhouse varieties, including Campari and Flavor Bomb tomatoes , Beekman said.

“This expertise, coupled with our knowledge of European commodities, positions us for success,” he said in the release.

Sunset of Holland will be the first distributor in select markets for the Advanced High-Density Farming System of a partnership with Paul Mastronardi and John Paul Dejoria.

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