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UK Plans For Food Shortages If Input Disruption Deepens
The UK is preparing for a possible worst-case disruption to food supplies if the Iran war drags on, as the FAO warns of a “global agrifood catastrophe” if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed blocking key inputs. UK government officials are reportedly modelling a scenario in which the Strait of Hormuz standoff continues and carbon dioxide (CO2) supplies are badly hit, affecting the farming, food production, and hospitality sectors in particular. The immediate risk is less ab
Supermarket Supplier Issues Edge Up, GCA Survey Finds
The UK grocery sector continues to show strong compliance with the Groceries Code, although a small rise in supplier complaints suggests pressure points remain in parts of the supply chain, according to annual survey results. The Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) 2026 survey shows that the number of suppliers reporting at least one Code issue rose from 30% to 32% over the past 12 months. Nonetheless, more than half of respondents said they had experienced no issues when suppl
Robotics To AI Farm Tools Fast-Tracked By £50m Investment
Some £50 million has been pledged by the UK government to speed up the rollout of cutting-edge farm technologies, with up to 12 agritech tools from robotics to AI designed to help increase productivity while cutting labour, energy, and fertiliser use. Delivered through Defra’s Farming Innovation Programme with Innovate UK, the funding is aimed at getting practical, proven precision and biological technologies into farmers’ hands sooner to improve animal and crop health, cut
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Sarah-Jayne Gratton
Sarah-Jayne Gratton
Sarah-Jayne Gratton
Peat-Free Pathway Founded To Support Grower Transition
The UK fresh produce sector has joined forces under a new collaborative initiative to coordinate the transition to peat-free horticulture and accelerate sustainable growing practices. The newly launched Peat-Free Pathway provides an umbrella framework to align research, innovation, and delivery across horticultural supply chains, according to a press release from British Growers. The move has been welcomed by industry groups including the Soil Association, Growing Media Asso
Recession Risk As UK Faces Worst Economic Shock
The UK’s growth outlook has been slashed again, with the IMF now expecting the economy to expand by just 0.8% in 2026 and inflation to be higher than expected as the Iran war fuels the risk of a global recession. The new economic forecast is down from the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) previous 1.3% estimate for the UK, marking the sharpest downgrade among major advanced economies. It points to a weaker year for the UK economy than previously expected, with the IMF sayin
Tesco And Aldi Top British Apple Sales During March
Tesco and Aldi were the leading retail outlets for British apple sales in March 2026, followed by Lidl, as the discounters continue to outperform their overall grocery market share when it comes to domestic apple sourcing. Tesco sold about 4,500 tonnes of British apples last month, according to the latest monthly supermarket sales data from British Apples & Pears Limited (BAPL). The UK’s leading supermarket accounted for around 22% of British apple sales, compared with its
Dover Leads The Way As First UK Port To Hit Net Zero 25 Years Early
The Port of Dover has announced it has achieved its ambitious goal of carbon net zero emissions (Scope 1 and 2) for 2025, at least five years ahead of any other UK port target, and 25 years ahead of the UK Government’s maritime target. Image: Port of Dover Its emissions for Scope 1 and 2 have fallen by a huge 98.3% from 2007, with residual emissions being offset through a local regenerative farming scheme issued under the UK Carbon Code of Conduct. Today’s announcement comes
Cornichon Shortage Leaves UK Sandwich Trade in a Pickle
A shortage of cornichons has begun to disrupt parts of the UK’s food-to-go sector, with sandwich shops facing supply challenges and menu gaps as a result. The issue has been most visible at Pret A Manger, where its popular jambon beurre has temporarily disappeared from shelves in many stores. The French-inspired sandwich, made with ham, butter and the distinctive sharp crunch of cornichons, has been pulled due to difficulties sourcing the pickled cucumbers. Pret confirmed the
Apple Prices Show Mixed Movement As UK Wholesale Market Holds Steady
The latest wholesale data from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) reveals a broadly stable UK fruit market, with modest price fluctuations across key apple varieties and little movement in pears. Figures for the week ending 13 April 2026 show that average apple prices remain relatively consistent overall, despite some variation at varietal level. Among the leading lines, Cox’s Orange Group apples recorded a slight increase, with average prices risi
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