UK growers forced to chop down apple trees because of lack of profits
After years of struggling with an increasingly challenging market, unpredictable climate, inflation, and lack of labour, some apple growers in England are seeing no profit and cutting down apple orchards. This is the case for the southeast county of Kent “Garden of England,” where a family-owned apple farm that has been producing since 1882 will […]
M&S Food puts price lock on 100-plus items as Family index reveals struggles of shoppers
Sensing the need to continue delivering quality products to consumers at lower prices, M&S Food has extended its price lock on more than 100 items through the end of spring, including some fruits and vegetables. A 300g pack of British White Mushrooms is listed for £1, while 750g of Select Farms Easy Peeler satsumas and […]
Product rationalisation in Food and Drink: Causes and challenges for manufacturers
The need for product rationalisation has significantly increased in recent years for a number of reasons. Major events have influenced changes in consumers’ shopping behaviour, affecting retailers, and in turn suppliers. The Covid-19 pandemic caused retailers to reduce their product range following consumers’ shopping patterns, contributing to the development of a ‘simplification’ trend that has […]
Westfalia Fruit receives ‘transformational’ investment to strengthen avocado production
Kent-based Westfalia Fruit Group has landed £242 million in funding from three banks that it says will be used to boost sustainable avocado production. The infusion of capital from HSBC UK, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and Standard Bank will help Westfalia expand and improve packaging, ripening and storage. But it also will help it […]
Aldi noses out Lidl again to remain UK’s least expensive supermarket
One month ago, in an effort to save British consumers money at checkouts, Waitrose said it would be slashing prices on already reduced items. It has put an incredible £100m investment behind cost-saving initiatives, including fruit and vegetable areas. And yet, when Which? revealed its latest monthly numbers on the cost of the average supermarket shop […]
Jim Prevor: A Profile in Courage
In 2022, Primus Group Inc. and I lost a great friend, James Prevor [Jim]. The phrase “speak truth to power” is attributed to the Quakers. It implies a level of bravery that requires “risking either the status quo, one’s reputation or livelihood, or the wrath of the person one is confronting.” Jim regularly “spoke truth […]
Freshfel Report: European produce consumption is up but not close to recommendations
The World Health Organization (WHO), recommends a minimum daily consumption of 400g per capita of fruits and vegetables. Freshfel Europe has released its latest Consumption Monitor report which revealed that even though the average fruit and vegetable consumption in the EU grew to 364.6 grams per day per capita in 2021, the economic crisis caused […]
After more than 2 years, UK freeports ready to roll but not without cost concern
Following approval of their final business cases, Humber and Thames freeports in the UK are set to begin operating sometime this year, Port Strategy reports. The latter is already authorized to form its board and begin operating fully. While Humber Freeport company’s conditional approval allows it to begin investment across the ports of Hull, Goole, Immingham and […]
