WE'RE PLEASED TO BRING YOU JUST SOME OF THE MAJOR FOOD & DRINK RETAIL AND SUPPLY STORIES RECENTLY COVERED BY THE GROCER.
Tesco crowned Grocer of the Year in glittering Grocer Gold Awards 2026
The UK’s biggest supermarket proved a worthy winner thanks to a mix of value, innovation and insight. Read more>>
Sainsbury’s to increase British supply of tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers
The retailer has signed 10-year partnership agreements with fresh produce suppliers Evesham Vale Growers and Thanet Earth. Read more>>
Tunisian olive oil producers target UK as market stabilises
Tunisian olive exports to the UK have more than quadrupled since October. Read more>>
National Drought Group steps up heatwave response as food supply suffers
The recent extreme weather is having a severe impact and is affecting water supplies and food production. Read more>>
Waitrose reports spike in French charcuterie sales
Waitrose suggested it was led by shoppers watching the Tour de France. Read more>>
Meat industry calls on government to safeguard water supply
Representative bodies and business argued the step was necessary on food safety and animal welfare grounds, as well as to ensure UK food security. Read more>>
Ice cream sales nearly double amid record-breaking June heatwave
A week of soaring temperatures in late June pushed ice cream volumes up 93.2%. Read more>>
Eagle lands at Defra again as Burnham announces new cabinet
Angela Eagle has been named environment secretary at Defra, taking over from her former boss Emma Reynolds. Read more>>
Asda backing regional suppliers with new West Country lines
Asda wants to make its ranges and stores more appealing to local shoppers as part of its Take a Fresh Look campaign. Read more>>
Fresh produce growth stunted as growers battle heat pressure
Nationwide Produce has warned that irrigation is under increasing pressure, harvesting windows are becoming shorter, and plants are under stress. Read more>>
Dog ice cream searches soar as heatwaves boost online sales
Ocado Retail told The Grocer that searches for pooch ice cream on its website were up 833% year-on-year for June. Read more>>
UK must act now on land-based seafood farming, report says
The authors said the UK had a unique opportunity to adopt and develop land-based seafood production technologies. Read more>>
Cereal supply shrinks as third heatwave of the year takes hold
Farmers have recorded lower than anticipated yields, with many in the east of England seeing production decrease by almost 50%. Read more>>
UK-Switzerland trade deal welcomed by British farmers
The new trade deal was welcomed by the NFU, which called it ‘a great example of a balanced deal’. Read more>>
New French border rules threaten meat exports to EU, hauliers warn
Lorries could start getting rejected from August under the new rules. Read more>>
Milk production slumps as extreme heat limits supply
According to the latest data from AHDB, GB milk production is estimated to be down by 18.5 million litres so far. Read more>>
Camra leads calls to hike minimum juice content requirement for cider and perry
A YouGov poll commissioned by Camra found some 87% of UK consumers favoured raising the minimum juice content of cider to help halt the decline of orchards. Read more>>
Environmental groups slam JBS for abandoning climate goal
The business said it was strengthening its framework so its goals ‘better reflect where we can take direct action, measure progress consistently, and hold ourselves accountable’. Read more>>
Fairburn’s Eggs betting big on free-range and organic
The Lincolnshire-based producer said its move from cage to free-range and organic eggs lifted its gross profit percentage from 10.6% to 11.1%. Read more>>
Northern Irish farmers offered grants up to £25k to boost farm efficiency
Farmers investing in on-farm equipment and technology worth between £3,000 and £62,500 can apply for a grant. Read more>>
Red meat sales declining but signs of change ahead
AHDB’s latest data found lower demand for beef and processed pork were chiefly to blame, down by 3.2% and 3.4% respectively. Read more>>
Revamped Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier scheme unveiled
The Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier has opened to direct farmer applications for the first time, with £50m available. Read more>>
New project explores whether beans and lentils could future proof UK farming
The research focuses on a central question: ’what would make edible legumes a more viable and attractive option within Norfolk farming systems?’. Read more>>
Half of British farmers now farming regeneratively, Barclays says
The bank’s survey of 223 farmers found 56% had already moved to regenerative practices, while a further 24% plan to do so. Read more>>
SIGN UP FOR OUR MONTHLY NEWSLETTER DEDICATED TO THE INNOVATIVE AND AGILE SPECIALIST FOOD MARKET.
If you do not already receive our montly digital newsletter Farm Shop & Deli News, produced by The Grocer in conjunction with the Farm Shop & Deli Show, please click on the image below to sign up now. The Grocer will carry a wide range of articles to inspire and inform, while William Reed will host additional content including videos and webinars on the Farm Shop & Deli Show website.
