All articles by Michael Barker – Page 14
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British develop taste for whole pineapples
Sales of wholehead and prepared pineapples are soaring as consumers take a greater interest in exotic fruit. Prepared pineapple sales rose 41% in the 12 months to 20 April [TNS], compared with 38% growth in prepared fruit generally....
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Growers save Jersey Royals from flooding
Growers of Jersey Royal potatoes have been in a race against time to salvage the remainder of this season's crop following heavy rainfall on the island. Producers have worked around the clock over the past week to remove Jersey Royals...
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Vilnius shut down for worker abuses
A gangmaster that supplied labour to fresh produce companies in Suffolk has been shut down for its "callous disregard for worker safety and exploitation". Vilnius Recruitment of Leiston in Suffolk supplied 350 workers to companies in East...
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Syngenta develops black watermelons
Black seedless watermelons are among the new products that have been developed to tap into growing consumer demand for alternative fresh produce. The black Dolina watermelons, which are actually dark green, will be unveiled by Syngenta...
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Climate change threat to English rhubarb crop
Warmer weather could threaten the English winter rhubarb industry and force up retail prices. Rhubarb requires very cold weather to grow properly and the cold snap in late December followed by milder weather has prevented some rhubarb...
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Greener method of soft fruit protection
New compostable packaging that is claimed to reduce the amount of waste in the fruit supply chain goes into production next month. The Resolve fruit pad, developed by packaging company Sirane, is targeted at the berry and soft fruit...
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insight - lettuce
AGE PROFILE of lettuce consumers Children 0-105% 11-165% Male 17-3410% 35-6421% 65+10% Female 17-3410% 35-6425% 65+14% Info: Usage overview of lettuce. Year ending August 2007. In Home/Lunchbox Consumption Consumer spend on lettuce is stable...
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Venison set for mainstream
Venison has become the fastest-growing meat product in Asda, the retailer has revealed. Sales had soared and the meat would be one of the major food trends this year, said Asda meat buyer Jim Viggars. "It's healthy, easy and...
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Seafish hikes project fund to £1.2m
Seafood industry support organisation Seafish has announced it will be almost doubling the amount it puts into its Industry Project Fund for 2008. The scheme, which is in its second year, has a revised budget of £1.2 million, up from the...
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Blueberry promotion targets the over-50s
The Chilean blueberry industry is planning a major UK promotional push in a bid to boost sales and establish a long-term market for the fruit. 'Eat the Blues - You Have to Eat Them to Beat Them' is being launched by the Chilean Fresh...
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Rivals acquire UK sausage producers
Two UK sausage producers have been bought out this week by European rivals. WA Turner, a Kent-based producer of sausages and savoury bakery products, has been acquired by beef processor Irish Food Processors. Turner will operate alongside...
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Keith Chegwin backs National Chip Week
Keith Chegwin has been recruited to promote the versatility and nutritional value of chips as part of this year's National Chip Week. The British Potato Council promotion, which runs from 11-17 February, aims to boost sales of chips and...
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Beef tenderness trial set to shake up sector
A trial is under way to discover which cattle produce the most tender meat - in a move that could transform the beef supply chain. The trial, which is being carried out by a collaboration between industry and genetic specialists, uses...
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Bernard Matthews offloads sandwich business to Kerry
Bernard Matthews is to sell its sandwich production and van sales division to Kerry Foods in a bid to focus on its core business of turkey farming. Kerry Foods is expected to take control of the £14m-sales Dunstable-based operation this...
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Watercress enjoys boom year in store
Watercress sales are growing faster than the wider leafy salads market, enjoying a 14.5% rise in demand in the multiples last year, according to producers. "The total market for leafy salads was up only 1.4%, so watercress had a good year...
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'Green' farmers set for milk price boost
Dairy producers could be paid more for their milk if they sign up to a scheme demonstrating they farm in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way. The new accreditation scheme, announced this week, will give farmers a score based on...
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British grow French carrots... for French
UK carrot producers are targeting the French retail sector with Chantenay carrots in a "coals-to-Newcastle" move they hope could provide a major diversification opportunity. Nottinghamshire carrot co-operative Freshgro has secured a...
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Innocent gets cash to grow
Innocent Drinks has secured a £32m loan from Bank of Scotland to fund continued expansion in Continental Europe. The company, set up in 1998 by Richard Reed, Adam Balon and Jon Wright, is now in six countries outside the UK and Ireland -...
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Lean times for farmers despite store price hike
The retail price of pork products has risen by more than 10% in the past five months but the price paid to farmers remains unchanged. New figures from the Meat and Livestock Commission have revealed that the average retail price for a...
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Supply crisis looms for English Bramley apple
UK retailers are in danger of running out of English Bramley apples by late June as soaring demand from consumers outstrips supply. Unprecedented promotional support by the multiples is being credited for Bramley value sales being 14.2%...