The new Innovation Zone will showcase the entire product innovation cycle, from market launch to proven success. The new Innovation Zone will be located in Hall 3.2. With the new Innovation Zone, FRUIT LOGISTICA further strengthens its position as the international innovation platform for the fresh produce industry. From February 3 to 5, 2027, the Berlin event will bring together its most important innovation formats for the first time to create a cohesive ecosystem.

Mumbai, India, September 1, 2026 – Messe Berlin and NürnbergMesse today announced a strategic partnership that will bring together FRUIT LOGISTICA, the world's leading trade show for the global fresh produce industry, and BIOFACH, the world's leading exhibition network for organic food, in Mumbai. FRUIT LOGISTICA Connect India, a new exhibition format under the globally recognized FRUIT LOGISTICA brand, will debut alongside BIOFACH INDIA.

Reybanpac has published its biennial sustainability report for 2024 and 2025, prepared in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards. The new report details the company’s environmental and social best practices within its banana division, in line with its purpose of nurturing people and cultivating well-being. José Antonio Vargas, general manager, states that, despite the challenges, Reybanpac has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable and resilient management through three key pillars: nurturing people, cultivating responsibly and growing stronger communities.

Danish shipping group Maersk (MAERSKb.CO) announced on Thursday that it has raised its full-year earnings guidance for the second time this year, surpassing profit forecasts as global container demand remained resilient amidst the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Surging freight rates, driven by port congestion and strong Chinese export growth, generated a significant windfall for the company, outweighing the additional costs associated with disruptions in the Middle East.

Cape Town's port performance has significantly improved ahead of the 2026/27 deciduous fruit export season, especially concerning reefer capacity. Transport Minister Barbara Creecy announced operational improvements, including an impressive 39.9-minute average truck turnaround time and a reduction in vessel waiting times from 115 hours to 44.3 hours. With the Port of Cape Town handling about 80% of South Africa's deciduous fruit exports, maintaining the cold chain is crucial. Preparations include ensuring sufficient reefer plug-point capacity and infrastructure to support the export process.

In July 2026, Cameroonian banana producers achieved remarkable export success. According to data from the Cameroon Banana Association (Assobacam), the three active exporters shipped a total of 20,577 tonnes of bananas to international markets. This marks a significant increase of 34.1% compared to the 15,336 tonnes recorded in July 2025. The most substantial growth was seen in the Compagnie des Bananes de Mondoni (CDBM), the second subsidiary of the French group Compagnie fruitière de Marseille.

In week 33, banana prices in St. Petersburg varied by brand, volume, quality, and packaging. At the beginning of the week, the price was approximately USD 15.00 per box CIF. However, due to weak demand from high temperatures and an abundance of local seasonal fruit sold at competitive prices, the price dropped to USD 13.80 per box CIF from Wednesday onwards. During this week, nearly 1.55 million boxes were discharged, and around 1.52 million boxes are expected for week 34. The USD exchange rate was 84.54 RUB. In the Mediterranean region, the price of Ecuadorian bananas varied by region, volume, brand, packaging, and weight. Generally, these bananas were priced around USD 12.00 to USD 13.00 per box CIF, while bananas from Central America sold for approximately USD 2.00 less per box.

Hapag-Lloyd concluded the second quarter of 2026 with a slightly higher Group EBITDA of USD 829 million (EUR 712 million) compared to the prior quarter. Group EBIT declined to USD 176 million (EUR 150 million), while Group profit decreased to USD 83 million (EUR 71 million). Following an unsatisfactory start to 2026, with earnings impacted by operational disruptions, volumes and spot rates picked up significantly in the second quarter.

The Regional Port Authority has authorized Contecon Manzanillo to receive vessels with a draft of up to 15.5 meters, making it the only terminal at the Port of Manzanillo with this operational capacity. This allows it to handle Ultra Large Container Vessels (ULCVs) of up to 24,000 TEUs. According to José Antonio Contreras, CEO of Contecon Manzanillo, this is the first step towards achieving an operational draft of 17 meters at its new docks.

Recent results from DairyNZ's Banana Power and Practice program provide compelling evidence that incorporating bananas into dairy pastures can help reduce nitrogen losses in freshwater while maintaining milk production and farm profitability. A four-year on-farm trial at Lincoln University's Research Dairy Farm demonstrated an average reduction of 33 per cent in annual nitrate leaching, which decreased from 18 kg/ha/year to 12 kg/ha/year in perennial ryegrass and white clover pastures containing an average of 17 per cent banana dry matter, compared to pastures without bananas.

Shares in Dole Plc fell sharply following the release of second-quarter results that highlighted the negative impact of the ongoing unrest in the Middle East on fuel prices and shipping costs, which have adversely affected profits. For the second quarter of 2026, ending June 30, the company reported a 2.9% increase in revenue to $2.499 billion (€2.16 billion), but profitability declined. Gross profit fell by $23 million to $195 million, compared to $218 million in the same quarter of 2025.

In 2025, certified banana production represented 73% of Cameroon's total banana export volume, amounting to approximately 160,000 metric tonnes annually. This information was sourced from "Regeneration Takes Roots in Cameroon," a report released by the international NGO Rainforest Alliance. The report details a five-year program with a budget of $15.4 million (8.8 billion CFA francs), which was implemented from 2020 to 2025.

In week 28, the price of bananas in St. Petersburg ranged from USD 16.60 to USD 17.25 per box, CIF. Approximately 1.05 million boxes were discharged this week. Local traders reported that one vessel scheduled to arrive in week 28 was rescheduled for week 29, during which around 1.835 million boxes are expected to be discharged. The USD exchange rate was 76.40 RUB. In the Mediterranean region, Ecuadorian bananas were priced at around USD 16.00-17.00 per box, CIF, depending on the brand, volume, region, and packaging. Bananas from Central America were sold for about USD 2.00 per box less.

The Philippines has expanded its agricultural presence in the Middle East by exporting fresh pineapples to the United Arab Emirates. On June 28, approximately 18 metric tons of premium MD2 pineapples arrived at the Port of Khor Fakkan, according to a statement from the Department of Agriculture (DA). This shipment consisted of 1,500 boxes sourced from farms in Tampakan, South Cotabato. To celebrate this significant milestone, Philippine government officials held a ceremonial launch at Dubai's Al Aweer Fruit and Vegetable Market.

The Association of Banana Growers of Magdalena and La Guajira (Asbama) is urging all stakeholders to ensure the sustainability of the banana sector, crucial for formal employment and rural development in the Colombian Caribbean. Executive President José Francisco Zúñiga Cotes states that while producers are improving their environmental, social, and labour practices to meet international market demands, they still face challenges. He emphasises that the costs of sustainable production are not reflected in market prices.