Fruit

Four teenagers have been charged following a vandalism attack at a Scottish farm, which resulted in the death of more than 4,000 bees. 

The UK fruit industry leaders and growers had a chance to meet, talk about the latest innovations and exchange ideas during the Fruit Focus 2024. 

An environmental campaigner has set up a recruitment firm to supply seasonal workers for UK horticulture from climate affected countries in South-East Asia. 

Today marks the start of Insect Week. The celebration, initiated by the Royal Entomological Society, encourages people to learn about insects from a range of experts.

A bumper crop is expected thanks to warmer than average weather in May and excellent pollination, according to one blueberry grower.

The new technology counts flowers on fruit trees, helping farmers to predict harvest sizes months in advance.

A packaging solutions provider, Parkside, has just launched its latest flexible packaging innovation, Popflex lidding film. The company calls it a “game-changing recyclable solution for fresh produce packers and growers”. 

VineWorks business director and acting head of vineyard services, Chris Buckley, gives Fruit & Vine readers his expert advice on the importance of fruit thinning.

Tim Stockwell, who farms 80ha of soft fruit in Fife, has invested in labour-saving tools to help the farm cope, not only with the cost of labour, but also lack of availability since Brexit – which he says has particularly limited the number of seasonal workers with managerial skills. Deputy editor Sarah Kidby spoke to Tim to find out more about the farm’s fruit growing enterprise.

The NextGen Fruit Group recently returned from their bi-annual international conference, an ambitious trip taking 53 members to California to tour a range of crops and businesses to gain a greater understanding of worldwide horticultural production.

A West Sussex-based The Summer Berry Company has been recognised for its raspberry and strawberry varieties at the Superior Taste Award. 

There are less than 200 ‘Babydoll’ sheep in the UK but their miniature size makes them ideal mowers for orchards and vineyards as they are too small to reach the fruit.