Mike Knowles

Managing Director at Eurofruit

Fresh produce industry expert and MD of Fruitnet Europe, Watching and analysing trends and #freshideas in the fruit and veg business 🍎🍊🍌🥦🫐🍇

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Articles

Robots take centre stage as Fruitmasters opens new storage and distribution facility

6 days ago | fruitnet.com | Mike Knowles

The Netherlands’ largest fruit cooperative Fruitmasters has opened an ultra-modern logistics and packaging centre as part of its strategy to operate a future-proof, streamlined fruit supply chain. According to the company, the Smart Fruit Hub in Geldermalsen, near Rotterdam, is unique in Europe, meets the strictest environmental and energy standards, and enables it to provide customers with the freshest produce possible.
Macfrut: News and highlights from Rimini trade fair

1 week ago | fruitnet.com | Mike Knowles

Paolo Bruni, president of industry association CSO Italy, took part in celebrations to mark the 65th anniversary of Apofruit, one of the country’s most important fruit and vegetable cooperatives and a major exporter to markets around the world.
Officials support Italy’s fruit and veg business in face of major challenges

1 week ago | fruitnet.com | Mike Knowles

Italy’s fresh produce business can grow by developing closer ties with suppliers in Africa, according to Italian agriculture minister Francesco Lollobrigida. Speaking at the start of Macfrut, the three-day international trade fair which takes place this week in Rimini, Lollobrigida encouraged Italy’s entire fruit and vegetable industry to foster closer ties with the African continent.
India access offers hope for Brazilian citrus, but challenges await

1 week ago | fruitnet.com | Mike Knowles

Limes from Brazil on sale in FranceThe news that India has opened its border to citrus shipments from Brazil has been met with measured optimism, as exporters in the South American country consider how best to take advantage of their newly secured market access. The breakthrough is regarded by industry organisation Abrafrutas as a major commercial opportunity for Brazil’s citrus industry and a chance to generate new demand in the world’s second-largest consumer market.
New service secures volume increase on Ecuador-Asia route

2 weeks ago | fruitnet.com | Mike Knowles

Ships at the Port of GuayaquilA new shipping service that links Ecuador with Asia has apparently led to an “unprecedented” increase in cargo volume handled by terminal operator Contecon Guayaquil (CGSA), which runs a multipurpose terminal at the Ecuador’s largest port Guayaquil.
India to allow citrus imports from Brazil

2 weeks ago | fruitnet.com | Mike Knowles

Tahiiti limes on sales in BrazilImage: Adobe StockBrazil has gained access to India for a range of citrus fruits including limes, lemons, oranges, and tangerines, according to industry association Abrafrutas. The breakthrough represents a major commercial opportunity for Brazilian producers and exporters to tap into a market of more than 1.4bn consumers.
US tariffs tear into container shipping firm’s profit margin

2 weeks ago | fruitnet.com | Mike Knowles

Singapore-based container shipping group Ocean Network Express expects a dramatic downturn in its net profit over the next year, mainly as a result of the US administration’s decision to introduce a range of tariffs on imported goods. In a report on its financial results for the year to March 2025, the company forecast a full-year profit after tax of approximately US$1.1bn, a figure that more or less cancels out the previous year’s 336 per cent increase in net profit to US$4.24bn.
UK’s first citrus grove is ‘sign of warmer climate’

2 weeks ago | fruitnet.com | Mike Knowles

A report in The Times has revealed that the UK now has its first citrus grove. And thanks to a warming climate, it suggests, the country could soon produce its own oranges, lemons, and mandarins outdoors. According to the newspaper, a number of citrus varieties planted at Ventnor Botanic Garden on the Isle of Wight are now thriving in an outdoor environment thanks to warmer temperatures – in contrast with a couple of decades ago.
Fruitful Ventures underlines quality standards with Bloom brand relaunch

2 weeks ago | fruitnet.com | Mike Knowles

Dutch company Fruitful Ventures has unveiled a new brand identity for Bloom, the exclusive private label used by its subsidiaries Olympic Fruit, Hoofdman-Roodzant, and Fresh-Pride. Originally launched in 2012, Bloom has built a reputation over the past 13 years for consistent, premium-quality fruit – a dependability summed up in its slogan: ‘The best surprise is no surprise.’Loes Al, marketing manager at Fruitful Ventures, says the brand itself was in need of a refresh.
Staay confirms ten-day delay on Spanish stonefruit

2 weeks ago | fruitnet.com | Mike Knowles

Dutch importer Staay Food Group says its Spanish stonefruit campaign will begin around ten days later than normal this year due to low temperatures and heavy rainfall in March.