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High-Tech Farming Breakthrough Signals Shift Towards UK Food Security
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
Berry Sector Shake-Up As Ali Capper Named New British Berry Growers Chair
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
Soil Breakthrough Could Slash Costs For Potato Growers
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
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Sarah-Jayne Gratton
Sarah-Jayne Gratton
Sarah-Jayne Gratton
UK-EU Reset Unlikely To Cut Food Prices, Warns Industry
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 CEO Calls For Energy Support To Halt Rising Food Bills
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
UK Packaging Pact Expands Scope To All Materials
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
Growers Sound Alarm Over Prices And Import Reliance
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
UK-EU Reset Risks British Food Being Dumped
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
Co-op Leads Switch To 100% British Strawberries
Co-op is once again the first UK retailer to move to 100% British strawberries this season, with homegrown fruit arriving in stores this week ahead of St George’s Day and a broader seasonal rollout to follow. The convenience retailer said in a press release that the move marks the fourth year in a row that it has led the market on British strawberries, underlining its support for domestic growers and seasonal produce. Co-op said it began selling British strawberries on 16 Ma
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