Pink Lady® is launching into the growing flavoured water category through a new collaboration with DASH Water, as premium produce brands continue to explore adjacent categories for growth beyond the fresh produce aisle. Image: Pink Lady® The partnership sees the launch of DASH Pink Lady® Apple, a sparkling water inspired by the crisp taste of one of the UK’s most recognisable branded apple varieties, marking the brand’s strategic move into the popular flavoured water segment

A new multi-year agreement between GB Railfreight and Maritime Transport is set to reinforce the resilience and sustainability of the UK’s freight network, with both companies confirming an extension of their long-standing partnership. The deal will see freight moved by rail from key deep-sea ports—including London Gateway, Felixstowe and Tilbury—to Maritime’s inland terminal network, supporting the continued shift of goods from road to rail across the country. The agreement

Ministers are reviewing a £2bn environmental packaging levy amid concerns it could add further pressure to household grocery bills. The government is said to be looking again at the extended producer responsibility (EPR) scheme, which makes food producers and online retailers pay charges linked to the packaging used in the products they sell. The review forms part of wider discussions in government over how to limit the economic impact of the war in Iran on UK consumers, as r

Aldi has announced a significant change to its fruit range, confirming that all blackberries sold in its UK stores will now be 100% British-grown as part of a nationwide rollout this month. The move marks a shift away from imported supply, with the retailer previously sourcing blackberries from countries including Spain, Mexico and South Africa. Instead, Aldi is partnering with supplier Driscoll’s to deliver exclusively homegrown fruit, with availability beginning in early Ma

Plans to revive Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) have gathered fresh momentum, with a major international freight operator now in advanced discussions that could transform the site into a significant UK logistics hub. Doncaster Council’s arms-length company, Fly Doncaster Ltd (FDL), has revealed that the unnamed operator is considering a move that would see up to 20 cargo flights a week operating from the airport. If confirmed, the deal could deliver as much as 80,000 tonnes

Farming co-operatives could play a pivotal role in strengthening the UK’s food security and driving agricultural growth, particularly as global instability continues to test supply chains, according to a new report. The policy paper, produced by the Co-operative Party, argues that a shift towards collaborative farming models could significantly improve resilience at a time of mounting geopolitical and economic pressure. At its core, the report, seen exclusively by The Guardia

Europe and Africa could soon be physically connected by a pair of ambitious subsea tunnel projects, as governments and engineers explore new ways to strengthen trade resilience amid growing disruption across global shipping routes. At the heart of the plans are two separate schemes with dramatically different scales but a shared strategic goal: reducing reliance on vulnerable maritime chokepoints and creating faster, more direct links between the continents. The first, a prop

Farmers with innovative ideas but limited time or support are being given a fresh opportunity to bring those concepts to life, as new funding looks to bridge the gap between ambition and delivery. The latest initiative, part of Defra’s wider Farming Innovation Programme, is designed to help farmers move from early-stage thinking into practical, on-farm application. Delivered by Innovate UK, the scheme focuses on supporting real-world trials that test new practices and technol

Amazon is preparing a renewed push into the UK grocery sector, signalling a significant strategic reset as it looks to finally crack one of retail’s most complex and competitive markets. The move comes despite years of limited traction in Britain, where the tech giant has struggled to translate its e-commerce dominance into meaningful grocery market share — still estimated at below 1% after more than a decade in the category. A Strategic Reset After Store Retreat According to

Rising input prices are pushing UK apple and pear production costs significantly higher this season, limiting new planting and raising concerns about domestic supply capacity, according to British Apples & Pears Limited (BAPL). Since early March 2026 inflation has added £31.30 per tonne to the cost of producing Gala apples in the UK, according to a new BAPL-commissioned report from consultancy Andersons Midlands, which examines the impact of recent geopolitical tensions in Ir

Soft fruit growers across the UK are facing a sudden wave of fresh cost pressure in the last few weeks as the price of core production inputs rises ahead of the 2026 season, leading British Berry Growers chairman Nick Marston to call for supply chain recognition. New analysis from Andersons Farm Business Consultants, based on grower data, shows sharp increases since 1 March 2026 in fertiliser, crop protection, packaging, and transport costs. For soft fruit businesses, these

A cross-party group of MPs has visited a high-efficiency demonstration farm to gain practical insight into how sustainable, cost-effective food production operates across the UK supply chain, while discussing the current geopolitical challenges facing farmers and growers. Image: NFU The visit on Friday 24 April formed part of the National Farmers’ Union’s (NFU) Food and Farming Fellowship Scheme, an initiative designed to give policymakers direct exposure to agricultural pro

Fruit and vegetable shortages are expected soon in UK supermarkets, along with higher food prices, as rising fertiliser, energy, and fuel costs begin to impact planting decisions and crop output. Industry experts warn that staples including potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers, plus some fruits are among the most exposed foods. Looking ahead, reduced plantings and lower yields are also likely to tighten availability later this year and into early 2027. “There is a rea

An on-farm trial is underway to assess whether biochar-based soil treatments can improve orchard establishment success, reduce financial exposure, and accelerate returns for UK apple businesses. Image: BAPL Funded by Defra’s ADOPT programme and led by topfruit grower organisation British Apples & Pears Limited (BAPL), the project has now begun on two commercial production sites in Kent. Enhanced soil amendments are being examined to determine whether they can support stronge

With only 6% of breakfasts containing fruit, Veg Power has launched a mission to increase fresh produce and bean consumption at breakfast time, calling on UK retailers and horticultural organisations to back the cause. Image: Veg Power On 21 May, the UK-based not-for-profit will roll out a ‘Breakfast in Colour’ social media and digital campaign in a ‘battle against the beige’ to make breakfasts healthier, more colourful, enjoyable, and achievable for families. To support its

Tesco is significantly scaling up its Free Fruit & Veg for Schools programme, doubling its reach to more than 1,000 schools from September in a move aimed at tackling persistently low consumption of fresh produce among UK children. The expansion follows new research from the retailer showing that just one in ten children meet the recommended “five-a-day” target during a typical school day — a statistic that continues to underline the scale of the public health challenge. Orig

Fischer Farms has announced a new partnership with London food charity, City Harvest, to help tackle food waste and deliver fresh, nutritious produce to communities across the capital. The collaboration will see surplus crops from Fischer Farms' vertical farming trials redistributed through City Harvest's extensive network of charities, ensuring high-quality food reaches those who need it most rather than going to waste. The initiative reflects a shared commitment to building

A new initiative aimed at strengthening the link between British flower growers and the capital’s floristry trade is set to take root at New Covent Garden Market, with the launch of a dedicated grower hub designed to champion locally produced blooms. The hub will connect London florists directly with a coordinated network of small-scale English growers, creating a more streamlined route to market for British-grown flowers while improving access to fresh, seasonal supply. Posi

In a decision with far-reaching implications for UK food security, the Rivenhall Greenhouse project has today been granted planning approval by Essex County Council, paving the way for one of Europe's largest and most advanced low-carbon Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) developments. Copyright: Rivenhall Greenhouse The approval marks a significant moment in the UK's ability to re-shore food production at scale, at a time when the country remains heavily dependent on i

Freeport East has set out a far-reaching vision to transform one of the UK’s most strategically important trading corridors, publishing a new transport masterplan designed to unlock growth, strengthen supply chains and accelerate investment across the region. Developed in partnership with Transport East, the plan outlines a prioritised programme of 14 transport interventions spanning road, rail, local connectivity and digital integration. It marks the first time a clear, rank