The Fresh Produce Journal Podcast

Which category has knocked the long-standing leader off the top of the FPJ Big 50 Products leaderboard? How have geopolitical conflict and inflation shaped the last year of fresh produce sales? And which categories have bucked the trend to see innovation and premiumisation pay dividends?

Nina Pullman and Fred Searle reveal all in this companion podcast to the 2026 Big 50 Products supplement.

Articles relevant to this episode

Nina Pullman is joined by chief executive of the Fresh Produce Consortium, Nigel Jenney, to discuss how the upcoming EU-UK reset deal could spell trouble for imports from the rest of the world. While set to ease trade with Europe, the new plans could increase checks across widespread fruit and veg imports from the rest of the world, with increased costs, delays and potentially higher food prices as a result. Jenney warns importers ...

In this complementary episode to the new People in Produce issue of FPJ, Nina, Michael and Fred share their top three most influential people in the sector today.

Plus, recruitment expert Max MacGillivray joins Nina to discuss a gap in the market for senior figures used to six-figure pay packets, who now face a consolidated industry with fewer high-level roles.

Max explains how roles in peripheral industries to food, such as ...

Nina Pullman is joined by Michael Barker to debate the pros and cons of the Easter price battle between Morrisons, Aldi and Lidl, with all three retailers cutting British veg lines to 4p. They consider the industry reaction at a time of rising production costs, how retailer strategies vary from discounting to loyalty, and the UK’s unique position on produce pricing compared to other markets, such as the US.

Meanwhile, toma...

In this episode, Nina is joined by the chair of the NFU’s Horticulture and Potatoes Board, Martin Emmett, to discuss the government’s Horticulture Sector Plan, fears around standing charges and the new SPS deal with the EU.

FPJ’s Tom Joyce also swings by the studio to analyse the potential impact of the Middle East conflict on the fresh produce industry and longer-term significance for resilience in the sector ...

Nina Pullman is joined by Eurofruit deputy editor Carl Collen to digest the gossip and goings on at this year's Fruit Logistica in Berlin.

After fruit was held up due to winter storms and port operations, which exporters are now considering court action? Why are some tech companies telling us AI is going too fast? And has the fresh produce industry finally clocked that sampling and theatrical marketing might be the best way to e...

As weight loss jabs take off and the government and retailers begin to respond, what is the fresh produce industry doing to make the most of the step change in health?

Dan Parker, CEO of the Veg Power campaign, joins Nina Pullman to explore how can fruit and veg benefit from a once-in-a-lifetime disruption to junk food sales, thanks to the rise of GLP-1 medication. Plus: how can the industry focus on growth at a time when margin...

Nina, Fred and Michael dissect this year's exclusive FPJ Big 50 Companies ranking of the UK's biggest fresh produce companies. Who came out top? Who were the biggest risers and fallers? And what surprising new entries made the list?

The team also share behind the scenes insights from poring over Companies House accounts and reveal the decisions, cross-referencing and hours of scrutiny that go into making this unique industry pub...

With big recent acquisitions like the sale of Burgess Farms and Natures Way Foods, Nina, Michael and Fred discuss whether companies are running out of options to find capital funding and ask what further consolidation could mean for the future of fresh produce?

Plus: how the recent Autumn budget will impact the fruit and veg industry.

More info about this episode

Read the following articles about the M&A deals discusse...

Is it the end of the line for vertical farming? Does Tesco really deserve its accolade for support of British topfruit? And how can produce companies be supported to donate more surplus? Nina Pullman and Michael Barker answer a tough line up of listener questions in this latest episode.

Plus, Hollywood meets fresh produce as Michael grabs five minutes with US actor Tiffani Thiessen, star of sitcoms including Beverly Hills 90210 ...

Retail expert Karen Green joins Nina Pullman to analyse news that Amazon is closing its physical ‘Fresh’ stores and ask: what will the online giant do next in produce and how might this affect suppliers? Plus, Karen gives her view on current and future retail trends, including how to navigate food inflation, why Tesco is nailing it on all tiers of produce and whether the UK shopper is ready for ultra quick delivery.

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In this episode, host Nina Pullman speaks to John Hicks, director of brand and marketing for potato supplier Albert Bartlett, to get the lowdown on the company’s new deal with tennis legend Andy Murray. What does it take to sign a household name? Could produce brands be more ambitious with seeking celebrity partners? And how does brand marketing help boost an overall category? Listen for a fascinating and rare insight into on...

From mango to mange tout, sales of fruit and veg are thriving, with the category reaching £14bn in sales for the first time ever last year. But while inflation is a big driver, it is far from the only explanation. Fresh Produce Journal Podcast host Nina Pullman is joined by Michael Barker and Fred Searle to lift the lid on what’s really happening in the category, charting the risers and fallers in the latest FPJ Big 50 Produc...