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

Florette has announced its most significant brand refresh to date, alongside the launch of a new Asian-inspired salad, as the UK’s number one salad brand looks to inject fresh momentum into the prepared produce category. Image: Florette The comprehensive overhaul spans the entire Florette range and is designed to strengthen the brand’s category leadership while encouraging shoppers to incorporate salad into more mealtimes. At the heart of the refresh is a new brand mission —

A cutting-edge indoor farming operation in Worcestershire is being hailed as a potential game-changer for the UK’s food supply, offering a scalable solution to reduce reliance on imports while strengthening domestic resilience. The high-density greenhouse system focuses on producing salads and aromatic herbs year-round, using advanced controlled-environment agriculture to deliver consistent, locally grown produce regardless of external climate pressures. By optimising growing

British Berry Growers (BBG) has announced the appointment of Ali Capper as its new chair, with onboarding to start in July 2026, followed by a formal role start in November 2026. Image copyright British Berry Growers Ali will succeed Nick Marston, the current chair of BBG, who announced his planned retirement earlier this year. Ali brings extensive experience of fresh produce leadership and advocacy, having served as executive chair of British Apples & Pears Limited (BAPL) fo

A new breakthrough in soil science could significantly cut fertiliser costs for UK potato growers by unlocking previously inaccessible phosphorus already present in the soil. Researchers and agronomy specialists have identified that large reserves of phosphorus—often referred to as “locked-in” or “legacy” phosphorus—can be made available to crops, reducing the need for additional fertiliser applications. Phosphorus is a vital nutrient for crop growth, but much of it becomes c

Plans by Prime Minister Keir Starmer to lower food prices through closer alignment with EU rules are being met with skepticism across the food and drink sector, with businesses warning the proposals may have little immediate impact – and could even increase costs in some areas. Speaking during a recent campaign visit, Starmer argued that aligning the UK with European Union (EU) sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) rules will “make trade easier so there are less burdens for busine

Sainsbury’s chief executive Simon Roberts has urged the government to extend energy bill support to the food sector, warning that rising industry costs linked to the conflict in the Middle East risk pushing food prices higher. Image: Sainsbury's Roberts said the most effective step ministers could take to limit further inflation would be to prevent energy costs from rising faster for growers, manufacturers, and retailers. “The single biggest thing the government could do to

A new industry-wide initiative aimed at transforming the UK’s entire packaging system has been launched, bringing together 100 organisations in a 10-year collaborative programme to drive progress on sustainability and circularity. Image: WRAP The UK Packaging Pact, led by WRAP, expands on the previous UK Plastics Pact to cover all packaging materials, including glass, paper, metal, and bio-based materials, according to a press release from the environmental NGO. The Pact was

Supermarket fruit and vegetable prices could rise by more than 25% due to the Middle East conflict, with industry sources warning that some UK greenhouse growers may have to import produce to fulfil orders as they struggle with rising energy costs. Trade representatives say items such as tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and some imported fruit are among the products most likely to be affected first by soaring energy, fuel, and transport costs. Supermarkets are said to be calcul

The UK’s proposed EU reset could lead to volumes of British food, including fresh produce, being excluded from sale and thrown away, as growers grapple with stricter pesticide rules aligned with the European Union. The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has warned that food grown using crop protection products not approved under EU regulations may no longer be marketable once new sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) rules take effect, potentially from next year. Under the planned ag