Warsaw, Poland,  September 17, 2025. From the early morning, the halls of Conference Center Mazurkas were filled with the atmosphere of a true celebration of the fruit and vegetable industry. Hostesses moved between stands with tasting trays, and guests could sample new tomato varieties, crunchy watermelon, and aromatic herbs. The air was filled with the scents of summer and freshness, while at every table discussions revolved around quality, innovation, and the future of the market.

Tastings that won participants’ hearts

The lines formed at the stand with the Exotica mini watermelon (Hazera) – a seedless fruit, crunchy, extremely sweet, and convenient to transport and pack. Cut into slices and served straight from trays, it disappeared before one’s eyes.

Equally exciting was Sweetloom F1 from Yuksel Seeds – an heirloom-type tomato with a deep purple-black color and exceptional flavor. “This is really something new, something missing from the market,” said participants as they reached for another piece.

The spotlight also shone on the raspberry tomato on the vine (Bayer). Many recalled that it was at Fresh Market 2011 that the raspberry tomato first gained popularity in Poland. Today – with its new cluster format – history may repeat itself. The raspberry tomato on the vine has the potential to become another revolution, combining the beloved taste of Poles with a practical, visually attractive format for retail chains and consumers.

The Swedeponic stand was impossible to ignore. The aromatic Mini Baziółka – a line of mini herbs inspired by the “zero waste” concept – delighted with simplicity and freshness. Basil, mint, parsley, or coriander in a single-use format solved the problem of food waste and additionally eliminated plastic pots.

In the corridors, many discussions also centered on the Sinclair T55 – the world’s first compostable fruit label with full home & industrial compostable certification. Experts emphasized that this is the direction the industry must take if we are serious about sustainability and reducing waste.

Emotions during the voting

The rules were simple: each participant received one ballot and could cast one vote. Votes were submitted until 5:00 p.m., after which the organizers’ committee counted them. The tension grew – because the choice was truly difficult. In the corridors, the most common comment was: “Each of these products deserves the award.”

Results of the Fresh Market Award 2025

🥇 Hazera Seeds – seedless Exotica watermelon
🥈 Yuksel Seeds – Sweetloom F1 heirloom tomato
🥉 Sinclair – T55 compostable label

Special Mentions:

✨ Bayer – raspberry tomato on the vine (DRTS4510)
✨ Swedeponic – Mini Baziółka, innovative mini herbs

Symbolism and the future

This year’s competition showed that innovation has many faces: from exceptional taste, through new retail formats, to environmentally friendly technologies. Hazera’s watermelon won consumers’ hearts with its sweetness and crunch, Yuksel Seeds’ Sweetloom tomato impressed with its unique color and health benefits, while Sinclair’s label stood out for its ecological awareness.

But it wasn’t just about the podium. Each product made a huge impression, and the level of competition was extremely high. That’s why congratulations go to all exhibitors and participants – because together they are shaping the future of the fruit and vegetable market.