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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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,

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

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

Christmas has long been viewed as a reliable economic accelerator for the UK, lifting retail sales, advertising spend, employment and hospitality activity during the final quarter of the year. However, evidence increasingly suggests that the festive period no longer provides the same concentrated economic uplift it once did. The Financial Times has reported that shifts in consumer behaviour, combined with structural changes across retail, media and employment markets, mean

Fyffes’ consumer banana brand Trudi’s® is delivering strong category growth across Europe, with particularly notable gains in the UK and Norway, reinforcing the growing appetite for purpose-led fresh produce brands. Image courtesy of Fyffes Launched to bring added value and differentiation to the banana category, Trudi’s has performed ahead of market averages in several key retail channels. In Norway, listings with Coop Norway have delivered robust results, with Trudi’s banan

The UK government has rounded off 2025 with a concerted drive to strengthen national cyber security, introducing landmark legislation and reinforcing resilience across critical sectors — a move underscored by recent cyber incidents that have rippled through the grocery supply chain. In November, the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill was formally introduced to Parliament. The Bill expands the existing Network and Information Systems Regulations, setting tougher standards for

Hospitality businesses across England are facing a significant increase in business rates, with new analysis showing the average venue is set to pay an additional £32,700 over the next three years. The figures, based on updated property valuations, indicate that despite targeted support measures such as a reduced hospitality multiplier and transitional relief, most pubs, restaurants, hotels and leisure venues will still experience sharp rises in their annual bills. Under curr

Tesco has said it has supplied more than 10.8 million portions of fruit and vegetables eaten by UK pupils during the first year of its Fruit & Veg for Schools programme, backed by the British Nutrition Foundation. Image courtesy of Tesco According to the retailer, 94% of teachers reported improved behaviour from kids who took part in the scheme, including sharper focus and more energy in the classroom, with an average increase in consumption of 7.4% (the equivalent of 15 days