Fruit

Oxbo has expanded its presence and product portfolio through acquiring Westside Equipment Company in Madera, California.

As part of the wind down of all AHDB Horticulture activities, the levy board is transferring the royalties from the commercialisation of two levy-funded research projects.

Soaring cost of production over the past two years has meant that some of the UK’s leading horticulture businesses have shelved any plans for growth, putting the future of the UK’s fruit and vegetable industry at risk.

A cutting-edge new digital forecasting tool to maximise planning and profitability for soft fruit growers will launch to market in 2024 thanks to £2.8m capital raised from private investors, Ceres Agritech and Innovate UK through the investor partnership programme.

After industry lobbying the government has announced horticulture businesses will have access to a fund to help cut their energy bills.

New data suggests the industry is on a knife edge, with double-digit cost of production increases, low returns and low grower confidence.

As UK growers increasingly look for alternatives to conventional fertilisers, deputy editor Sarah Kidby spoke to Jason Colin of Natura Grow, to learn about a unique plant-based fertiliser that is gaining traction on vineyards and orchards in the UK.

The primary purpose of the Growing Kent & Medway (GK&M) programme is to support the plant-based food, drink and horticultural industries in the region, helping them to grow and thrive in the area.

Lidl bought over 3,000 tonnes of new season British apples in October, while Tesco fell short of its 2022 performance, according to sales figures from British Apples & Pears Limited (BAPL).

Two new funding streams are being made available by Growing Kent & Medway to back sustainable innovation and new technologies in the horticultural and plant-based food and drink sector.

The Crop Candle Company is proud to announce a significant milestone in its history. Fruit & Vine spoke with the company about its new Crop Candles and eight-hour refills now being manufactured in the UK, which result in much lower carbon emissions.

A new partnership between The Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture (TIAH) and Growing Kent & Medway hopes to entice a new generation into a career in horticultural food and drink production.