Markets news from Fresh Produce Journal

Essential stories, analysis and research from UK’s fresh produce markets, with a focus on retail, wholesale, marketing, and consumers.

Tractor spraying vegetables Adobe Stock

Farming Roadmap sets out government vision for agriculture

2026-06-24T14:53:00+01:00By

Seasonal worker visas guaranteed until 2030, a stronger role for co-operatives and extending fair dealing regs to fresh produce are among government plans for farming

Shoppers are seeking out price deals

Report warns of climate-related food inflation in UK

2026-06-24T14:40:00+01:00By

Many more people in the UK will be unable to afford fresh fruit and vegetables by 2050, the Autonomy Institute states, as heat waves alone are expected to add 68 per cent to the price of a grocery basket

Nadorcott of Morocco

Morocco overtakes Spain as UK’s top mandarin supplier

2026-06-24T12:09:00+01:00By

Combination of Brexit, government investment, and improved access to Nadorcott propels country to top spot

Philippe Binard comment

Comment: Fresh produce business pays price of Brexit division

2026-06-24T11:33:00+01:00By Philippe Binard

As UK marks decade since it voted to leave EU, Freshfel’s Philippe Binard reflects on bruising ten years for produce traders

Branston's general manager for prepared, Tom Seagrief

Branston promotes Tom Seagrief ahead of capex delivery

2026-06-24T09:28:00+01:00By

Potato supplier’s general manager for prepared has been promoted with additional remit across added value to drive business growth and deliver upcoming capital investment programme

G's chairman John Shropshire will deliver the keynote address on 25 November

Fruiterers set to explore future of fruit at new conference

2026-06-24T08:57:00+01:00By

Event at NIAB on 25 November delves into cutting-edge research and commercial opportunities for fresh produce sector

Family Tree Farms blueberries

Family Tree Farms celebrates 18-year Mountain Blue Orchards partnership

2026-06-24T06:18:00+01:00By

Family Tree Farms retains exclusive rights to programme’s original varieties as partnership evolves

The heatwave delivered a sales boost for barbecue food

May heatwave spurs summer grocery spending

2026-06-23T16:44:00+01:00By

Grocery sales up by 2.4 per cent year on year, with 10-day heatwave driving demand for barbecue staples, including salads

Driscoll's Zara are sold as a premium strawberry in Waitrose

Driscoll’s Zara named ‘best overall supermarket strawberry’

2026-06-23T12:04:00+01:00By

Variety sold under Waitrose No.1 range has come top in a survey of retailer strawberries in newspaper taste test

ESG Drysdale is a major swede supplier, among other crops

ESG Drysdale secures £10mn for expansion plans

2026-06-23T11:20:00+01:00By

Scottish veg producer’s funding package from Royal Bank of Scotland will see it invest in production and processing and continue strong growth trajectory

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A number of retailers and suppliers have joined the push to sell more fresh and ambient beans

Aldi and Iceland pledge to help double UK bean consumption

2026-06-23T07:00:00+01:00By

Retailers among a number of major food businesses to push bean sales, with pulses gaining traction as healthy and affordable sources of protein and fibre

L-r: William Gilmore, Nigel Doherty, Joanne Weir and Stephen Galbraith (Tesco)

First Comber Earlies arrive in stores

2026-06-22T11:22:00+01:00By

Season begins ahead of schedule in Northern Ireland following “fairly kind” growing season to date

UK Spain trade puzzle pieces disconnected

Fepex highlights Brexit impact on Spanish trade

2026-06-22T08:44:00+01:00By

Ten years after the Brexit referendum, Spain’s export volumes to the UK have declined significantly while value has jumped 29 per cent

Bob King supplied a raft of top restaurants with high-end produce

Legendary NCGM buyer Bob King retires

2026-06-19T15:29:00+01:00By

Tommy Leighton of the Covent Garden Market Authority reflects on how Le Marché’s buyer contributed to the success of some of the UK’s most prestigious restaurants and hotels

Waitrose says samphire is having a moment

Waitrose launches year-round British samphire thanks to hydroponics

2026-06-19T15:06:00+01:00By

Glasshouse growing method replicates coastal microclimates to allow continuous UK supply