UK consumers spent record £12.8B in December, but sales volume dropped

Total grocery sales in the UK jumped more than 7.5% in the run-up to Christmas, according to new data released by Kantar, helped by a slight dip in price inflation. However, the data insight and consultancy points out that while sales did reach a record £12.8 billion, volumes were down by 1% year over year. […]

Could slight ease of inflation mean brighter Christmas for supermarkets?

Late last week, the UK supermarket sector received some positive news from Kantar’s Worldpanel division heading into the Christmas holiday: the slight decline in the rate of inflation led to a nearly 6% rise in grocery sales in the previous 12 weeks. That was its best performance since March 2021. With inflation still hovering at […]

European ports finally making a comeback after COVID declines

Port of Rotterdam launches ‘Food Hub’ amid growing agrofood market

After almost three years, freight levels at ports across the EU are slowly returning to their pre-pandemic state. Port Strategy reports that total weight of goods handled has recovered by 4% to 3.5 billion tonnes in 2021. During 2020, EU ports saw a decline of 7% in cargo compared to the previous year. While volumes still haven’t […]

Jane Swift named permanent CEO at evolving and nimble Borough Market

Jane Swift, who has led Borough Market as chief executive officer for more than a year, has been approved into that role permanently by its Board of Trustees. Swift, who previously worked with Trussell Trust, Workers Education Association and the Landscape Institute before joining Borough Market, has a deep background in operations and financial management […]

Northern Hemisphere citrus will see declines because of weather

Spain: Hail causes €15M in damages for Valencia fruit growers

Northern Hemisphere citrus production is projected to drop by 13% this season to 26 million tonnes, according to the World Citrus Organization (WCO). The WCO’s forecast is based on data from Egypt, Greece, Israel, Italy, Morocco, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey, and the U.S. It was presented during the third edition of the Global Citrus Congress on Nov. […]

UK should reap rewards of global blueberry expansion, availability

Thanks to a sea shift in the blueberry industry from regional to global, availability of the plump and nutritious fruits should continue to growth exponentially in the UK, according to a report from Netherlands-based Rabobank. Blueberries, a ‘super fruit’ with an unrivaled balance of antioxidants, colour, convenience and flavour, are seeing increased demand from consumers […]

Report: Eat Them to Defeat Them campaign led to £34.1 million in veg sales

Eat Them To Defeat Them returns with £10m campaign aimed at kids

Very few campaigns aimed at increasing consumption of fresh produce in any nation have really worked, despite the myriad efforts of action groups and government agencies. However, one in the UK focused on helping children – Eat Them to Defeat Them – has garnered immense interest from consumers, who have increased vegetable purchases by £132 […]

Driscoll’s finalizes acquisition of Berry Gardens in ‘good move for all parties’

LPS19: How Fresh4cast is helping the fresh produce industry get smarter

Berry company Driscoll’s has completed the acquisition of UK-based Berry Gardens Limited (BGL), the sales, packaging, and distribution entity of Berry Gardens Growers Limited (BGG). Berry Gardens Limited, the UK’s largest supplier of berries, has grown, distributed and marketed Driscoll’s varieties on an exclusive basis in the UK for more than 20 years. General Manager, […]