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This Is What Progress Looks Like For The UK Flower Trade
The Fresh Produce Consortium’s (FPC) success in securing reduced plant health inspection rates for key EU flower species is being hailed across the sector as far more than a technical policy tweak — it is a high-impact operational win that tackles one of the most stubborn cost and friction points faced by the UK floriculture supply chain since the introduction of post-Brexit border controls. From 00:01 on 19 January 2026, inspection rates for dianthus (pinks, carnations, swe
Sarah-Jayne Gratton
7 hours ago
FPC Victory Brings Lower Costs and Smoother Borders for UK Flower Trade
The Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC) has welcomed confirmation from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) that four flower species imported from the EU will benefit from a reduction in plant health border inspection rates from 3% to 1%, effective from 00:01 on 19 January 2026. The decision represents a major win for the UK floriculture supply chain and its customers, achieved through the submission of detailed technical evidence by FPC and supported by s
Sarah-Jayne Gratton
1 day ago
Flexitarian Britain Is Rewriting The UK Menu For 2026
A new trend report has highlighted a significant shift in UK foodservice towards plant-forward menus, driven by flexitarian consumers and growing demand for inclusive dining options that balance plant-based ingredients with familiar comfort foods. The report suggests plant-forward dining is becoming a more permanent feature of the UK hospitality landscape, even as the number of strict vegans remains stable. Instead, a broader section of consumers is increasingly choosing plan
Sarah-Jayne Gratton
1 day ago
Aldi Delivers 1.5m Meals Through Christmas Charity Drive
Aldi has helped deliver more than 1.5 million meals to people in need over the Christmas and New Year period by donating surplus food from stores across the UK. Image courtesy of Aldi The supermarket said it worked with local charities, community groups and food banks nationwide, redistributing a range of fresh and chilled foods after stores closed early on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. The donations were coordinated through Aldi’s partnership with Neighbourly, the commun
Sarah-Jayne Gratton
1 day ago
Defra Pledges Farmers And Growers New Era Of Partnership At Oxford Farming Conference 2026
Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds has ushered in the start of longer-term collaboration with farmers and growers in England, making a series of announcements designed to offer clarity, partnership, and growth. Image: Oxford Farming Conference At the Oxford Farming Conference 2026 held on 8 January 2026, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) Emma Reynolds (pictured above) gave updates on the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), the Farming Road
gillmcshane
5 days ago
Global Food Waste Presents Untapped Opportunity To Drive Business Growth
Tackling food waste could serve as a powerful driver of profitability, resilience, and long-term growth for global food retailers and supply chain operators, according to new research from Avery Dennison, which estimates food waste will cost businesses US$540 billion (£402bn) this year. If trends persist, cumulative food-waste costs between 2025 and 2030 could reach around US$3.4 trillion (£2.5 trillion), demonstrating both a major margin drain and a missed growth opportunit
gillmcshane
5 days ago
Bayer Unveils New Strawberry Variety With Benefits For Producers, Retailers, and Consumers
Available to growers in the UK, Germany, and Benelux, the Baya Solara variety addresses pressing production challenges by combining high-yielding potential with disease resistance and labour efficiency. Image: Bayer Bayer said in a press release that the variety's launch represents a cornerstone of the company’s strategic expansion into the strawberry market, and follows Bayer's acquisition of the strawberry assets from UK-based NIAB in 2023. It marks the first commercial str
gillmcshane
5 days ago
Surge In Online Shopping Fuels Biggest-Ever Christmas Grocery Sales
The UK's Christmas grocery spend hit £19.6 billion in the four weeks to 27 December 2025, with online emerging as the fastest-growing channel and taking a greater share of festive shopping, according to data from NielsenIQ (NIQ). Online sales were up about 9.9% year-on-year over Christmas, significantly outpacing the total market, and driving the e-commerce share to 13.5% of sales, compared with 12.6% last year. Around 29% of UK households bought groceries online during the
gillmcshane
6 days ago
Government Urged To Go Deeper On Business Tax Cuts To Save Hospitality
UK pub groups and hotel associations are warning the government that many venues will be forced to close unless it offers immediate financial support as pandemic-era support ends and a property revaluation are set to push up business costs. At the same time Labour MPs are calling on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to reconsider the proposed changes to business rates, with some telling the BBC they are hopeful further relief will come. Industry leaders have called for additio
gillmcshane
6 days ago
Sainsbury’s Launches Graduate Scheme To Build Pipeline of Retail Leaders
The two‑year FutureMaker graduate programme aims to nurture the next generation of retail leaders with skills in digital and AI, data and analytics, change and transformation, and business decision making. Image: Sainsbury's The scheme is the first in a broader series of early careers programmes that Sainsbury’s plans to roll out, the retailer explained in a press release. Running for 24 months, FutureMaker is structured as a three-part programme, with eight‑month rotations
gillmcshane
6 days ago
Aldi and Lidl Win the Christmas Sales Race as Shoppers Chase Value
Britain’s grocery battleground saw a big shift over the 2025 Christmas trading period, with discount chains Aldi and Lidl capturing their largest-ever share of festive food sales as value-seeking shoppers tightened belts amid ongoing cost pressures. According to the latest data from Worldpanel by Numerator, Aldi and Lidl together accounted for 16.8 per cent of the UK’s grocery market in the four weeks to 28 December 2025 — up from 16.3 per cent a year earlier. Overall superm
Sarah-Jayne Gratton
6 days ago
Two Per Cent Hike Piles More Strain On Topfruit Sector
Topfruit growers are set to face an approximate two per cent rise in production costs in 2026, as inflationary pressures around orchard management and post-harvest operations continue to squeeze margins. The uptick in costs reflects broader economic challenges in the fresh produce sector, with key inputs such as labour, machinery, storage and logistics all contributing to the increased outlay growers must absorb. Industry commentators say that while a two per cent rise may a
Sarah-Jayne Gratton
6 days ago
Less Junk On Screen — Will Fruit And Veg Fill The Gap?
The ink is barely dry on the UK’s new junk-food advertising rules, but for fresh produce the real question is: what do we do with this moment? The UK’s new restrictions on advertising “less healthy” foods — those banning paid online promotions entirely and pre-9pm TV adverts — came into force on 5 January 2026. The legislation aims to curb childhood obesity and reduce exposure to high-fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) products, with ministers suggesting it could remove up to 7.2 bi
Sarah-Jayne Gratton
6 days ago
UK Industry Experts Call for National Strategy on Protected Horticulture to Boost Food Security
A coalition of horticulture experts and industry bodies in the UK has issued an open letter urging the Government to develop a national plan for protected horticulture, highlighting its crucial role in strengthening the country’s food security amid rising import dependence and climate risks. The letter, backed by the Chartered Institute of Horticulture and other prominent sector groups, argues that modern, high-tech greenhouse production must be integrated into long-term nat
Sarah-Jayne Gratton
Jan 6
UK Junk-Food Advertising Restrictions Come Into Force Across TV And Online
The UK’s long-anticipated restrictions on junk-food advertising have officially come into force on 5 January 2026, marking a major shift in how foods high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) can be marketed to consumers, particularly children. Under the new rules , advertisements for HFSS products are banned online at all times and cannot be shown on television before 9 pm — a tough watershed designed to cut children’s exposure to unhealthy food and drink marketing. The regulations
Sarah-Jayne Gratton
Jan 6
Pub Closures Hit One A Day Across England And Wales In 2025
England and Wales saw an average of one pub close permanently every single day in 2025, with the hospitality sector continuing to grapple with mounting cost pressures. New analysis of government data reveals that 366 pubs were demolished or converted to alternative uses over the year to December — pushing the total number of pubs (including those vacant or being offered to let) down to 38,623, from 38,989 a year earlier. Tax specialists at Ryan, who analysed the figures, str
Sarah-Jayne Gratton
Jan 6
Starmer Signals He’s Ready To Edge UK Closer To EU Rules
Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has suggested the UK should be prepared to move towards closer alignment with elements of the EU single market where it is judged to be in the national interest — while insisting the government will not rejoin the single market, the customs union, or reinstate freedom of movement. In a BBC interview , Sir Keir said deeper alignment with the EU could be considered sector by sector if it helped support British businesses and jobs. He argued that,
Sarah-Jayne Gratton
Jan 5
Fresh Produce Proved The Big Winner In 2025 — And The Momentum Is Rolling Into 2026
Looking back over 2025, one message from the grocery aisles rings loud and clear: fresh fruit and vegetables took centre stage, while enthusiasm for ultra-processed meat-free substitutes cooled noticeably. Data across the year showed shoppers consistently turning back to whole, natural produce as cost-of-living realities collided with growing health awareness. Fresh fruit emerged as one of the standout categories, outperforming many packaged alternatives as families sought fo
Sarah-Jayne Gratton
Jan 5
Tesco Expands Free Fruit Drive As Families Aim For A Healthier Start To 2026
Tesco is stepping up efforts to support healthier eating habits as families head into the new year, relaunching its “Less to Pay for 5-a-Day” campaign alongside a nationwide free fruit initiative for children. Image courtesy of Tesco From 30 December 2025 to 13 January 2026, children shopping with their families will once again be able to collect free apples at the checkout across more than 800 large Tesco stores. The supermarket will also extend the offer to Click & Collect
Sarah-Jayne Gratton
Jan 4
Editor's View: UK Agritech Trends Set To Reshape British Food Supply In 2026
If 2026 had a motto for UK food supply, it might be: “Do more, with less, in weirder weather… and don’t get hacked.” Between volatile seasons, tight margins, labour constraints and rising expectations around sustainability, British growers and food businesses are leaning harder into agritech that actually earns its keep. The backdrop is stark. The UK’s domestic production has sat around 60% of consumption (and 73% for indigenous-type food) on recent Defra-reported figures, w
Sarah-Jayne Gratton
Jan 2
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