The two-week ceasefire in the Middle East is unlikely to bring immediate relief for UK consumers and fresh produce suppliers, with analysts warning that food, fuel, and energy prices may stay under pressure for some time.  The main concern is that lasting economic damage has been done, meaning any fall in oil or wholesale costs may take time to reach fuel forecourts and supermarket shelves.  Although markets may react quickly, UK households are reportedly unlikely to see an i

Morocco is strengthening its position in the UK fresh produce market as its sweet pepper exports continue to climb sharply, reaching a record volume in 2025, according to new trade data.   Global Trade Tracker data analysed by EastFruit shows that UK imports of Moroccan sweet peppers doubled last year to 8,100 tonnes – more than twice the volume recorded in 2024. Shipments to the UK have expanded rapidly in recent years, making the UK one of the fastest-growing destinations.

UK pea growers are facing a growing threat from crop viruses, with losses estimated at up to £65 million a year, prompting a new field-based trial designed to improve virus control decisions and reduce wasteful spraying. Backed by Defra’s ADOPT fund and led by the Processors and Growers Research Organisation (PGRO) with growers from the Green Pea Company network, the project will assess the full spectrum of viruses in commercial vining pea crops, and when intervention is genu

The Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC) has hailed the FPC Fresh Produce Hub as a resounding success at International Food & Drink Event 2026, with strong exhibitor engagement, high visitor footfall and immediate rebookings already confirmed for 2027. Held at ExCeL London from 30 March to 1 April, the Hub once again proved to be a focal point for the fresh produce industry, bringing together leading growers, suppliers and service providers in a vibrant, collaborative space designe

Five of the UK’s leading supermarkets have joined forces in an unprecedented collaboration to tackle food poverty, launching a nationwide fundraising campaign alongside a broader industry initiative to redistribute surplus food to those in need. The campaign, titled Let’s Make a Meal of It , is running throughout April across Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Waitrose and Marks & Spencer, enabling millions of customers to donate in-store and online. Every £1 raised will fund the

Responsibility for the UK’s grocery watchdog is set to transfer to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) in a move aimed at strengthening fairness across the food supply chain. The Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA), which regulates relationships between the UK’s largest supermarket retailers and their direct suppliers, will shift from the Department for Business and Trade to Defra from 1 July 2026. The change is designed to create a more “joined-up” a

Concerns over the impact of fertiliser and carbon-related taxes on UK agriculture have intensified, with senior Conservatives warning that current policies could threaten domestic food security and place further strain on already pressured farming businesses. Kemi Badenoch has pledged to scrap the Government’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) if her party returns to power, arguing that the policy is adding significant cost pressures to farms reliant on fertiliser in

Gulf nations have drawn on years of strategic planning, investment and structural reform to maintain food supply stability despite the severe disruption caused by the ongoing Iran conflict, according to recent analysis. The war, which has disrupted key trade routes including the Strait of Hormuz, has placed extraordinary pressure on global supply chains. The waterway is a critical artery for both energy and agricultural inputs, and its disruption has already triggered volatil

Belgian potato suppliers are stepping up efforts to expand their presence in the UK market, as rising production and a strong focus on innovation create new export opportunities. Latest industry figures show that Belgium’s potato plantings increased by 12.5 per cent between 2023 and 2025, reaching an estimated 107,685 hectares. This growth is strengthening the country’s position as a major European supplier and supporting ambitions to develop key export markets, including th

UK food inflation could rise to at least 9% by the end of 2026 as the Iran war pushes up energy costs and disrupts supply chains, according to revised forecasts from the Food and Drink Federation (FDF).  The trade body said its forecast has nearly tripled  from an earlier estimate of 3.2%, and takes into account assumptions that the Strait of Hormuz will re-open within the next two to three weeks. The outlook reflects a sharp deterioration in the outlook for the energy-intens

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has met leaders from Britain’s biggest supermarkets to discuss the pressure on household budgets and the risk of higher food prices and shortages while energy, fuel, and fertiliser costs continue to climb.  As concerns grow, the talks held yesterday (Wednesday, 1 April) were expected to focus on possible supply bottlenecks and the potential extent of the impact of the Middle East conflict on the cost of living. Executives from Sainsbury’s, Tesco and M

Positioning fruit and vegetable sections at supermarket entrances increases sales and may improve women's diet quality, according a new study funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). Published in the journal PLOS Medicine , the research found that when fresh produce was moved to a more prominent position near entrances, stores sold more fruit and vegetables. In total, around 2,525 additional portions of fruit and veg were sold per store, per week

Sainsbury's has unveiled a £5bn multi-year investment to expand long-term partnerships with more than 2,500 British and Irish farms, in a move designed to strengthen supply chain resilience and support future food production. The retailer said the expanded programme will see long-term agreements underpin the supply of 3.1 million tonnes of its own-brand fresh food by 2027, spanning key categories including fresh produce, dairy, meat and poultry. By the end of 2026, Sainsbury’

British Berry Growers has announced the appointment of Ali Capper as its new chair, with onboarding set to begin in July 2026 ahead of formally taking up the role in November. Capper will succeed Nick Marston, who confirmed earlier this year that he intends to step down following a period of leadership at the organisation. She brings extensive experience in fresh produce leadership and industry advocacy, having served as executive chair of British Apples & Pears Limited for t

Morrisons has cut the price of key British-grown vegetables to as little as 4p in the run-up to Easter, as retailers step up efforts to support shoppers facing ongoing cost pressures. Image: Morrisons The supermarket is offering 1kg bags of carrots, 500g packs of parsnips and whole swedes for just 4p each, alongside its ‘Best British White All Rounder Potatoes’, which have been reduced to £1 for 2kg. The promotion is running from 30 March through to Easter Sunday, with the re

M&S has become the first UK retailer to launch its much-anticipated Jersey Royal potatoes, thanks to its longstanding 10-year relationship with the Le Maistre family. The family has been farming the soil on Jersey since 1841 and is led by sixth-generation farmer Philip Le Maistre, who works alongside son Phil Jnr and brother Peter, as well as a team of local experts. Despite one of the wettest and more challenging planting seasons on record, the team’s potatoes have this week

Discount retailer Lidl has been named the first-ever recipient of the Best British Apple Launch Award, a new accolade recognising retailers that champion UK-grown apples at the start of the domestic season. The award has been introduced by British Apples & Pears Limited (BAPL) to highlight and encourage strong retail support for British apples during the crucial early weeks of the season. Lidl secured the inaugural title following its seasonal apple launch, with judges recog

Volunteers and community workers are turning neglected patches of grass into thriving food-growing spaces in East Sussex to feed local communities. At Wellsbourne Community Garden in Whitehawk, Brighton, new planting beds are being prepared from unloved grass scrubland to grow crops including tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, garlic, carrots and beans throughout the year. The produce will be shared with the Whitehawk Family Hub, while residents are also encouraged to help themselv

England’s water levels have largely recovered from the 2025 drought after four months of above‑average rainfall but rapid swings between drought and flooding will become more common under climate change, warns the Environment Agency.  The drought risk for 2026 is currently low but the EA said a “flash drought” is still possible if there is a sudden spell of very low rainfall and hot temperatures similar to 2022. Furthermore, as the UK’s climate changes, the EA expects more fr

The UK food-to-go market is forecast to reach just under £25bn in 2026, growing faster than the wider eating-out sector, and driven by higher spend per visit rather than more customers, finds a new report.  Market value for the grab-and-go business is expected to increase by 3.4% to £24.9bn in 2026, according to the latest Lumina Intelligence UK Food to Go Market Report 2026. The projected expansion is supported by rising office attendance, travel flows, and solid consumer de