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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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,

Sweeter, juicier, and larger fruit will make British strawberries “worth the wait” as cooler spring temperatures delay the traditional start to the season this year, according to British Berry Growers. The yield is expected to be of exceptionally high quality, following dry weather, sunny intervals, and chilly overnight temperatures this spring. In particular, the fruit has developed a richer taste profile with balanced natural sweetness after remaining on the plant for long

Inviting customers to take a fresh look at the supermarket, Asda has overhauled its fruit and vegetable aisles; ushering in the return of dedicated greengrocers and a revitalised produce section with clearer provenance information, new lines, lower prices, and free fruit for children. Image: Asda The store refresh forms part of the retailer’s plans to encourage customers to choose Asda over other supermarkets by adding more value, greater choice, and tangible improvements to

The UK government has announced plans to treble the amount of surplus food redistributed across the country as part of a wider strategy to tackle food waste and support families struggling with rising living costs. The move is expected to significantly increase the volume of edible food redirected away from waste streams and into charities, community organisations and food redistribution networks. The announcement comes as fresh concern grows over food insecurity across the U

Lower-income families living in rural Britain are increasingly struggling to access affordable, healthy food, with new research warning that large parts of the countryside are becoming “food deserts”. The study, led by the University of Sheffield, found that households earning under £40,000 a year in rural areas face significantly greater barriers to buying fresh fruit and vegetables than families on similar incomes living in deprived urban communities. Researchers discovered

Egypt has unveiled an ambitious £12 billion agricultural development project aimed at transforming vast areas of desert into productive farmland as the country intensifies efforts to strengthen food security and reduce reliance on imports. President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi officially launched the New Delta agriculture project during the 2026 wheat harvest on newly cultivated land west of the Nile Delta. The initiative is being described by Egyptian officials as the country’s lar

UK retailers have called on the Government to take urgent action to protect consumers from rising costs following the latest King’s Speech, warning that businesses and households are facing increasing financial pressure. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) said reducing the “costs of doing business” would be essential if ministers want to improve living standards and prevent further price increases across food and essential goods. Responding to the speech, BRC chief executive

A new study led by Durham University has suggested that children’s relationship with vegetables may begin before they are even born, with researchers finding that flavour memories formed in the womb can last into early childhood. The research discovered that three-year-old children reacted more positively to the smell of vegetables they had been repeatedly exposed to during late pregnancy, potentially opening the door to new approaches for encouraging healthier eating habits