Dutch flower wholesalers have welcomed the extension of Britain’s import tariff suspension on cut flowers until 31 December 2028, while calling for the duties to be abolished permanently. The Dutch Association of Wholesalers in Floricultural Products, VGB, said the arrangement allows cut flowers originating outside the EU to enter the UK without import duties, including when traded through EU member states. The suspension had been due to expire at the end of 2026. VGB and int

Longer-term supermarket commitments could help unlock more British food production, Aldi UK’s chief commercial officer has argued, highlighting the importance of investment certainty for growers. Writing in The Times, Julie Ashfield called for food production to receive greater recognition as a national resilience issue, with retailers and government both playing a part in supporting expansion. For fresh produce businesses, Aldi’s relationship with Kent-based AC Goatham & Son

British vegetable growers are considering reducing planting next year as uncertainty over irrigation supplies raises concerns for the 2027 growing season. Depleted reservoirs and continuing drought have prompted fresh calls for government action, with producers warning that reliable access to water is essential to protect domestic food production. Some businesses are weighing up smaller areas of high-value vegetable crops because of doubts over future supplies, FarmingUK repo

Domestic sourcing is continuing to hold strong across Scotland’s supermarkets, as NFU Scotland calls on the UK Government to review the food and combinable crops imports policy over concerns that growing imports are putting Scottish agriculture at risk. The latest NFU Scotland ShelfWatch audit found that 26% of own-label products surveyed across major supermarkets were Scottish, up from 19% at the same point last year. When Scottish and British products are combined, that fi

The area of land used to grow potatoes in the UK has declined by approximately 20% over the past decade, according to preliminary figures from GB Potatoes, but new data seeks to position the UK’s favourite vegetable as a ‘nutritional powerhouse’ with endless versatility. UK potato growers continue to face mounting pressures, including drought and concerns over reliable water supplies. GB Potatoes’ 2026 planting and production survey estimates that potato-growing area currentl

Chancellor John Healey’s first Budget has been met with criticism from the food, farming, and retail industries as a crucial missed opportunity to deliver on the UK Government’s ‘food security is national security’ commitment. Image: NFU Both the National Farmers Union (NFU) and the British Retail Consortium (BRC) said the autumn budget offers “no breathing space” for farmers and retailers alike, while the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) warned it “offers nothing” to ease fo

Veg Power has launched the third year of its ‘Better with Butternut’ campaign, bringing together grower Barfoots, seed company Sakata, and retailer Waitrose to further raise consumer awareness and consumption of healthy, flavoursome, and versatile British-grown butternut squash. The 2026 campaign, described as its “most ambitious yet”, builds on previous activity with an expanded engagement programme spanning grower storytelling, chef-led recipes, school resources, and in-sto

Consumer demand for fresh cranberries is growing beyond the festive season, offering opportunities for UK retailers, wholesalers, and foodservice operators to make the most of the fruit throughout the autumn, according to Fruit World International. Image: Fruit World International Although fresh cranberries are traditionally associated with Christmas meals, the UK importer believes there is scope for retailers, wholesalers, and foodservice businesses to broaden their appeal a

Food inflation accelerated to 2.9% in October, prompting retailers to call for action in today’s Budget to prevent mounting business costs feeding through to shoppers. The latest British Retail Consortium (BRC) figures show annual food inflation rose from 2.5% in September, exceeding the three-month average of 2.7%. The data covers prices collected between 1 and 7 October. Fresh food inflation remained unchanged at 2.6%, slightly below its three-month average of 2.7%. The inc

An estimated 30 million lettuce heads went unharvested in September as severe aphid infestations caused losses exceeding £10 million, according to the British Leafy Salads Association (BLSA). Some businesses were left with up to 85% of production unmarketable, the association told Farmers Guardian, following a second consecutive season of record infestations. Growers reported between 300,000 and 400,000 currant-lettuce aphids (*Nasonovia ribisnigri*) per hectare during August

FairFruit Belgium says a centralised logistics platform is helping it spend less time chasing shipment updates and give customers clearer information about their deliveries. The business began working with logistics provider Shypple in 2025, bringing shipment tracking, documentation and delivery coordination into one place. According to a report by FreshPlaza, the change has reduced the telephone calls and emails previously needed to establish where containers were and when t

Tomorrow’s Budget must deliver tangible help for households — and Chancellor John Healey’s first Budget must show that affordable food sits at the heart of the Government’s economic plans. If Andy Burnham wants to be seen as the consumers’ champion, tomorrow’s Budget presents a defining opportunity. The Prime Minister’s ambitions will be judged by something considerably more familiar than Treasury forecasts: what people can afford at the checkout. On Wednesday 28 October, Cha

Water shortages are putting next year’s vegetable production under pressure, with some farmers considering smaller planting areas as uncertainty over irrigation supplies continues. The Environment Agency has warned that exceptionally low reservoir levels and below-normal river flows could prevent growers from replenishing water stores over winter, affecting availability for the 2027 irrigation season. Its report covering 9–15 October showed England’s reservoir storage stood a

Expected falls in mango production in Ecuador and Peru could tighten UK supplies this winter, while creating opportunities for other supplying countries. According to Fresh Produce Journal, Robert Ybarra, chief executive of US wholesaler Chico Produce, forecasts Ecuadorian production could fall by approximately 50 per cent compared with last year. Early estimates suggest Peru could record a reduction of 30 per cent or more. Disruption is anticipated between November 2026 and

Supermarkets have held talks with Defra over growing concerns about cyberattacks on Britain’s food supply chains, as the government encourages households to prepare for three days of disruption. The discussions highlight vulnerabilities extending beyond websites and payment systems to the equipment that keeps food supplies moving and products refrigerated. According to The Grocer, Defra permanent secretary Paul Kissack told the Public Accounts Committee that an attack on Fren

Prices for a category of fresh vegetables including tomatoes and courgettes rose by 35.8% in France in the year to September 2026, as fresh food inflation accelerated. Figures from France’s national statistics institute, Insee, show annual inflation for fresh food reached 9.5%, up from 5.9% in August and 3.8% in July. The institute identified summer heatwaves as a factor behind the increases. Other fresh vegetables, including carrots, turnips, garlic, onions and leeks, increa

Morrisons is putting fruit and vegetables at the heart of its Halloween advertising with a campaign transforming Market Street produce into spooky characters. Created by Leo UK, ‘Market Street Monsters’ uses still-life photography to turn avocados into ‘Monster Eyes’ and carrots into ‘Zombie Fingers’. A red pepper features as ‘Screams’, advertised at 70p each. The outdoor campaign runs across the UK for two weeks until 31 October, combining seasonal imagery with prominent pri

Waitrose has opened its first new full-line supermarket in nearly a decade, launching a ‘Home of Food Lovers’ store in north-west London, as part of a £1bn investment programme to expand its store network and invest in its fresh food offer. Image: Waitrose The 18,000 sq ft Cricklewood store will be followed in November with the opening of a new supermarket in Hale Barns, Greater Manchester. Waitrose also confirmed in a press release the retailer’s acquisition of four additi

BerryWorld UK’s limited-edition Booberries blueberries have returned to Ocado Retail for October and November, as the berry specialist aims to raise more than £30,000 for breast cancer awareness charity CoppaFeel! through its third annual campaign. Image: BerryWorld New for 2026, the campaign is extending its reach beyond retail, with activations at major industry events, employee fundraising initiatives, and international activity inspired by the UK partnership. Globally, t

The UK’s first ‘Flower Pharmacy’ has opened in London, offering consumers bouquets selected to boost mood, promote calm, or increase energy as part of an initiative to encourage more frequent flower purchases. Image: PinPep Created in partnership with Plants and Flowers Foundation Holland and chartered horticulturist, TV gardener, and author David Domoney, the one-off experience aims to reposition fresh flowers as an everyday wellbeing purchase rather than a product reserved