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Health As A Lifestyle: Why Fruit & Veg Are Set To Lead UK Grocery In 2026
Health isn’t just a buzzword anymore — it’s becoming a defining lifestyle choice for UK shoppers. And as we head into 2026, all signs point to fruit and vegetables taking centre stage in a retail landscape shaped by wellbeing, value and simplicity. Industry analysts now suggest that the grocery channel will continue to grow steadily over the coming years, with consumers demanding far more than low prices alone. While budgets remain tight, shoppers are increasingly seeking foo
Editor’s View: How Fresh Produce SMEs Can Turn Financial Uncertainty Into Opportunity
Smaller growers, packers, importers and logistics firms may feel understandably twitchy reading the Bank of England’s latest Financial Stability Report. The Bank is clear that risks in the global system have risen – from frothy AI-driven markets to leveraged hedge funds and cyber threats. But there is also good news buried in the detail: the UK banking system remains robust, capital rules are easing slightly, and specialist trade bodies such as the Fresh Produce Consortium (F
British Growers Bring Christmas Magic to Downing Street
Britain’s seasonal spirit is glowing this week after a majestic 19-foot Norway Spruce was switched on outside 10 Downing Street — a festive gift to the nation from the country’s champion Christmas-tree growers. The tree was supplied by the grower crowned British Christmas Tree Growers Association (BCTGA) Champion Grower of the Year 2025, Cadeby Tree Trust, in Leicestershire. The tradition is a long-established one: each year, the winning grower earns the right to present a ha
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Sarah-Jayne Gratton
Food Inflation Eases As Holiday Promotions Kick In, BRC Data Shows
Food price inflation in the UK eased markedly in November, according to the latest British Retail Consortium (BRC)–NIQ Shop Price Monitor report. Fresh food inflation slowed to 3.6 per cent year-on-year — down from 4.3 per cent in October — marking one of the sharpest drops seen in recent months. Overall shop price inflation also continued its downward trajectory, suggesting that competitive pressures in the retail sector are helping to curb rising costs for households. Much
Report Urges Government Support For Organic Food To Boost Health And Economy
A new report from food-and-farming alliance Sustain, titled “Bridging the Gap” has called on the Government to increase its support for organic food, arguing that doing so could deliver significant public-health and economic benefits. Image: Sustain The report highlights the potential for greater production and consumption of organic food to support healthier diets, reduce long-term pressures on the NHS, and strengthen the resilience of UK farming. It notes that organic syst
New AI Partnerships Boost Year-Round Berry Supply
Global demand for blueberries continues to surge, with retailers and consumers increasingly expecting availability all year round. Yet berries remain one of the most challenging categories for growers and exporters due to their exceptionally short shelf life and high susceptibility to waste. In response, post-harvest specialist AgroFresh has strengthened its FreshCloud digital ecosystem through new partnerships with South African analytics firm Aerobotics and Israeli AI inno
Supermarket Surtax Sparks Fresh Fears Over Rising Food Prices
A new “supermarket surtax” introduced in the Autumn Budget is prompting questions across the food and retail sectors about how it may influence future grocery prices and the wider supply chain. The surtax applies to large retail premises with a rateable value above £500,000, affecting an estimated 4,000 supermarket sites across the UK. Revenue generated from the measure will be used to reduce business-rates bills for smaller retailers, including independent grocers and high-s
Co-op Pledges Continued Support For British Farmers Following Autumn Budget
In the wake of the Autumn Budget, supermarket chain The Co-op has publicly reaffirmed its commitment to UK agriculture — announcing that it will continue to spend more than £700 million per year with British farmers and agricultural suppliers. Image courtesy of The Co-op The retailer, which already sources the vast majority of its produce from within the UK, says maintaining this level of investment is vital for ensuring resilient supply chains at a time when growers are feel
New Campaign Champions Next-Gen Farming
The UK Agri-Tech Centre has unveiled a bold new initiative designed to put the spotlight on cutting-edge agri-tech companies that are quietly, but firmly, reshaping the future of UK farming. Dubbed “Grow Your Own Way; We Mean Business When it Comes to Agri-Tech”, the campaign seeks to highlight innovations across robotics, AI, advanced sensing and controlled-environment agriculture, while underscoring how the Centre is helping businesses scale. At the heart of the campaign is
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