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Cold Chain Warns: Warehouse Tax Could Push Food Costs Higher
A fresh warning has been sounded over proposals to place higher business rates on warehouses, amid fears that well-intentioned plans to support Britain’s high streets could end up piling further pressure onto the food supply chain. Phil Pluck, Chief Executive of the Cold Chain Federation, used a strongly worded LinkedIn post this week to challenge the idea that warehouses could “shoulder more tax burdens” in order to fund support for pubs, restaurants and high street business
Maersk Suez Return Signals Tentative Easing of Global Shipping Disruption
Maersk is preparing to send its first cargo through the Suez Canal and Red Sea since the start of the Iran war, in a move that could mark an important step towards easing pressure on global shipping routes. According to the Financial Times, AP Moller-Maersk, the world’s second-largest container shipping line, has said the Maersk Majestic, currently in the Gulf of Oman, is set to take the Red Sea route rather than sail around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope. The decision follows fr
Editor's View: AI Can Spot A Blemish But Fresh Produce Still Needs Human Judgement
Anyone who has spent time around fresh produce, flowers or plants knows that visual inspection is not as straightforward as it sounds. On paper, it is simple enough. Check the colour. Look for damage. Assess size, shape, uniformity, decay, presentation and shelf life. Decide whether the product meets the spec. In reality, it is rarely that neat. A punnet of strawberries can look perfectly acceptable from one angle and disappointing from another. A bunch of roses may appear st
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Britain’s Lost Generation Warning as Pupils Fall Behind Before Their Teens
Tens of thousands of 11-year-olds are on track to become unemployed when they leave education because of failings in the school system, according to a report highlighted by The Telegraph. The warning, based on analysis by the Centre for Social Justice, raises fresh concerns over the long-term consequences of children leaving primary school without the core skills needed to progress successfully through secondary education and into work. The Telegraph reported that thousands o
Retail Price Pressure Threatens Future of British Berries
British berry growers are warning that the future of UK production could be at risk unless supermarkets move away from relentless price pressure and rebuild proper partnerships with suppliers. The UK berry sector is worth more than £600 million in gross value added and supports more than 16,000 jobs. Yet despite its economic importance, growers say confidence remains fragile and retailer relationships are under increasing strain. The warning follows the latest annual grower s
DP World Delivers Port Powerhouse Performance With Double Multimodal Awards Win
DP World has secured a double victory at the Multimodal Awards 2026 in Birmingham, with the company named Port Company of the Year for the fourth consecutive year and its subsidiary, Community Network Services (CNS), winning Exhibitor of the Year. The awards recognise a landmark period for DP World’s UK port operations, with the company handling a combined five million TEU at London Gateway and Southampton last year, within a national market totalling nine million TEU. London
British Bean Production Presents £586m Growth Opportunity
The UK has a significant opportunity to expand domestic bean and pulse production, but unlocking that potential will require coordinated action across farming, processing, markets, and policy, according to a new report from The Food Foundation. While the UK already produces around 800,000 tonnes of beans annually, most are exported or used as animal feed. At the same time, the country imports around 500,000 tonnes of beans each year, representing what The Food Foundation est
Half Of UK Farmers Have Adopted Regenerative Practices, Barclays Finds
Rising production costs and increasingly volatile weather have driven more than half of UK farmers to adopt regenerative farming practices as they seek to strengthen the long-term resilience and competitiveness of their businesses, according to new research from Barclays. Some 56% of 223 farmers surveyed in May 2026 said they have already implemented regenerative practices, while a further 24% plan to do so, the bank revealed in a new report titled: Resilience in the Field: T
Scottish Raspberry Season Starts Strong As AVA Production Expands
Favourable growing conditions have kick started a highly positive raspberry season for leading Scottish grower Angus Soft Fruits which plans to expand its AVA production significantly across the UK and worldwide to meet demand. Image: Angus Soft Fruits As the season moves into peak raspberry production, the Scottish company is reporting strong plant growth and solid fruit development as a result of warm temperatures and good light levels. “Quality has been particularly encou
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