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Proven Solutions Ignored as New Border Controls and Costs Loom
More Border Friction. More Food Inflation. Same Warnings Ignored! The Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC) has warned that the government’s latest guidance on the proposed UK–EU SPS arrangements reveals an increasingly politically driven and EU-focused approach to trade policy that risks imposing substantial new costs, complexity and border friction across the UK food supply chain. While the government has highlighted measures designed to ease certain aspects of UK-EU trade, FPC sa
Sarah-Jayne Gratton
13 hours ago
Beyond Yield: Why The Industry Is Turning Its Attention To Nutrient Density
As pressure grows on the food industry to deliver healthier diets, a new debate is gaining momentum across the farming and fresh produce sectors: should growers be focusing not just on yield, appearance and shelf life, but on the nutritional value of the food they produce? A recent article by Wicked Leeks, reveals that the concept, known as nutrient density, is attracting increasing attention from researchers, growers and food businesses who believe the future of farming may
Sarah-Jayne Gratton
23 hours ago
Waitrose Invests £20m To Cut Prices On Fresh Produce And Everyday Staples
Waitrose has announced a new £20 million investment aimed at reducing the cost of everyday grocery essentials, including a range of fresh produce lines, as retailers continue to respond to ongoing pressure on household budgets. Image: John Lewis Partnership The latest round of price reductions covers more than 160 own-brand products, with prices falling by an average of 12%. Key fresh produce categories feature prominently in the move, including onions, mini apples, baby spin
Sarah-Jayne Gratton
23 hours ago
Aldi Pledges £5bn To Back British Growers And Boost Homegrown Produce
Aldi has unveiled more than £5 billion in long-term agreements with British suppliers as the supermarket ramps up its support for UK-grown fresh produce and strengthens relationships with growers facing mounting economic and climate pressures. The retailer said the multi-year agreements, which cover fresh produce alongside dairy and meat, are designed to give farmers and growers greater confidence to invest in future production and build more resilient supply chains. Aldi is
Sarah-Jayne Gratton
2 days ago
British Flower Growers Win Official Recognition With New SIC Code
British cut flower growers are celebrating a major milestone after the introduction of a dedicated Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code for flower farming businesses, announced during last week’s Chelsea Flower Show. The move means cut flower growers can now be identified separately from other agricultural and horticultural businesses in official government data — a development that industry leaders say could have significant long-term benefits for the sector. Indust
Sarah-Jayne Gratton
2 days ago
Fresh Produce Steals The Spotlight At FarmFest 2026
Fresh produce took centre stage at this year’s FarmFest event, where growers and suppliers showcased the strength, quality and innovation of the UK horticulture sector to thousands of visitors. Among the highlights was a visit from television presenter and food personality Matt Tebbutt, who stopped by the British Tomatoes stand to meet grower Simon Conway and learn more about the sector’s work. The event provided a platform for the fresh produce industry to connect directly w
Sarah-Jayne Gratton
2 days ago
UK Supply Chains ‘Dangerously Exposed’ To War, Climate And Global Shocks, Report Warns
The UK’s food and supply chains are dangerously underprepared for major global shocks including war, pandemics and climate disruption, according to a stark new report that raises fresh concerns over the nation’s long-term food security. The warning comes from the National Preparedness Commission, which claims Britain is far more vulnerable than many European neighbours due to limited strategic stockpiling, weak resilience planning and heavy dependence on international supply
Sarah-Jayne Gratton
3 days ago
India’s ‘King Of Mangoes’ Hit By Climate And Trade Crisis
India’s famous Alphonso mango industry is facing one of its toughest seasons in decades, with growers in Maharashtra reporting catastrophic crop losses linked to extreme weather and export disruption. The Alphonso mango — widely regarded as the “king of mangoes” — has seen production collapse by as much as 85-90 per cent in some growing regions, according to a government-backed survey in Devgad, one of Maharashtra’s leading production areas. Farmers say erratic weather condit
Sarah-Jayne Gratton
3 days ago
Europe’s Apple And Pear Glut Puts Pressure On Growers As Stocks Remain “Higher Than Ideal”
European apple and pear stocks remain stubbornly high as growers and suppliers across the continent continue to battle weak demand, mounting costs and increased market competition heading into the Southern Hemisphere transition period. Image: Worldwide Fruit According to comments from Worldwide Fruit published by FreshPlaza, UK apple and pear stocks are reducing broadly in line with expectations ahead of increased imports from the Southern Hemisphere during the summer months.
Sarah-Jayne Gratton
3 days ago
UK Food Security Being Put At Risk By ‘Self-Inflicted’ Government Trade Policies, Warns FPC
Britain cannot simply “grow its way out” of food security concerns without maintaining a strong and balanced global supply chain, according to the Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC), as concerns continue to mount over the future resilience of the nation’s food system. Responding to growing political and public pressure to increase domestic production following ongoing climate disruption and global supply chain instability, Fresh Produce Consortium Chief Executive, Nigel Jenney, w
Sarah-Jayne Gratton
4 days ago
Food Prices Set To Rise As Government Refuses To Scrap £2bn Packaging Tax
Food prices could rise further after ministers confirmed they will press ahead with the controversial Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) packaging tax regime, despite growing pressure from businesses already battling mounting inflation and global supply chain disruption. Industry leaders had hoped the Government would reconsider the policy amid increasing concern over rising supermarket prices and the wider cost-of-living pressures facing consumers. However, officials at
Sarah-Jayne Gratton
5 days ago
Why Entering The Fresh Awards 26 Matters More Than Ever
At a time when the fresh produce and floriculture sectors continue to face enormous pressure and relentless challenges, recognising success, resilience and innovation has never been more important. From growers and wholesalers to retailers, foodservice suppliers, logistics specialists, florists, marketers, technology providers and the wider supply chain — every part of this remarkable industry has a story worth celebrating. And that is exactly what the Fresh Awards are all ab
Sarah-Jayne Gratton
5 days ago
Can Long-Term “Bumper Contracts” Save British Farming?
The future of British farming is increasingly being shaped by one critical question: can long-term supermarket contracts finally provide the security growers and producers desperately need? A growing number of retailers are now exploring longer-term supply agreements with farmers in a bid to create greater stability across the food supply chain, particularly as UK agriculture continues to battle rising production costs, labour shortages, climate pressures and volatile global
Sarah-Jayne Gratton
6 days ago
Morrisons Refocuses Convenience Strategy Amid Rising Cost Pressures
Morrisons is reshaping parts of its convenience store estate as the supermarket continues to invest in a stronger, more sustainable long-term retail strategy. The Bradford-based retailer has confirmed plans to close a number of its underperforming Morrisons Daily convenience stores over the coming months following a review of sites that have remained unprofitable for several years. Importantly, Morrisons stressed that the affected stores represent only a small proportion of i
Sarah-Jayne Gratton
6 days ago
Tesco Launches Inclusive Cooking Campaign To Help Remove Barriers In The Kitchen
Tesco has unveiled a new campaign designed to make cooking more accessible and inclusive for disabled people, reinforcing the retailer’s wider commitment to helping customers cook with greater confidence. Called Now We’re Cooking, the campaign aims to highlight and help remove some of the barriers disabled people can face in the kitchen. The initiative follows Tesco’s success in winning Channel 4’s Diversity in Advertising Award 2025/26, which this year focused on the theme o
Sarah-Jayne Gratton
6 days ago
Tesco Bets on Chopped Salad Trend With ‘UK Retail First’
Tesco has moved to capitalise on the fast-growing chopped salad phenomenon with the launch of what it says are the UK grocery market’s first chopped salad kits, packed full of fresh produce, dried fruit, seeds, and beans. Images: Tesco The new range comprises three ready-to-mix kits designed to tap into consumer demand for restaurant-style salads that combine strong flavour profiles, layered textures, and minimal preparation time. Positioned as either a meal for two or a sid
gillmcshane
May 21
Co-op Backs British Potatoes All Year Round By Embracing Resilient Varieties
Co-op has announced a major shift in its support for UK potato growers by introducing ‘best-of-season’ packs that are designed to maximise the year-round use of British-grown varieties and reduce reliance on imported potatoes. Image: Co-op Describing it as a “UK retail first”, the convenience retailer said in a press release that the move is aimed at improving supply chain resilience while helping domestic potato growers manage mounting production pressures linked to climate
gillmcshane
May 21
Belgian Growers Visit Bradford St James' Wholesale Market
In a strengthening of trade relationships between Belgium and the UK, growers from the Flanders’ Agricultural Marketing Board (VLAM) have embarked on a promotional tour of UK wholesale markets, starting with St. James’ Wholesale Market in Bradford this week. Image: Bradford Markets On Monday (18 May), the delegation of 12 VLAM growers, including Bel'Export, Calsa, and Reo, visited Bradford Council’s award-winning wholesale market, which supplies restaurants, hotels, and food
gillmcshane
May 21
Fresh Awards 26 Entry Deadline Extended Following Exceptional Industry Response
The organisers of the FPC Fresh Awards 26 have officially extended the entry deadline to 19 June 2026 following what has been described as an overwhelming level of interest from across the fresh produce and floriculture sectors. Widely recognised as the “Oscars of the industry”, the prestigious awards continue to celebrate excellence, innovation, leadership and achievement throughout the entire fresh produce and floral supply chain. The extended deadline now gives businesses
Sarah-Jayne Gratton
May 20
UK Growers Must Adapt Faster To Remain Viable Under Changing Climate
British farming must adapt and diversify to remain viable and protect domestic food production from intensifying heat, flooding, and drought, according to the government’s climate advisers, who warn that the UK’s reliance on food imports also risks climate-related price inflation. In its latest report, ‘A Well-Adapted UK’, the Climate Change Committee (CCC) said extreme weather is already affecting yields, farm incomes, and long-term business confidence across UK agriculture,
gillmcshane
May 20
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