What does interest rate hold mean for food producers?
The Bank of England has held interest rates at 3.75% following a drop in inflation to 2.8%.
Trends & Analysis
Experts warn against false sense of security as food inflation falls
Food and drink inflation has unexpectedly fallen to 2.2% in the year to May, down from 3% in the year to April.
Tony’s Chocolonely: Cocoa price fall is ‘massive blow’
The ethical chocolate manufacturer argues that previously higher cocoa prices demonstrate that industry can afford to do better.
When packaging fails: the risks producers still miss
Industry experts discuss the role of packaging in maintaining food security and quality, and fighting waste.
Exodus: UK dairy farm numbers fall to record low
UK dairy farm numbers have fallen to below 7,000 for the first time, according to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).
Can Ebola disrupt coffee prices and stocks?
The border closure between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo has raised concerns over potential disruption to coffee trade - but is there a risk to global coffee prices?
GLP-1s take £780M bite from Britain’s grocery bills
Weight loss drug use among Brits has almost tripled in two years, with 6.3% of GB households home to at least one user.
What foods do GLP-1 users actually like?
Despite reduced appetites, those using GLP-1s still care about taste
Fibre surge driven by gut health and functional boom
Once neglected in favour of protein, fibre love has entered the mainstream
The new rules of healthy: what consumers want now
In a recent webinar focused on health, Food Manufacture heard from a panel of experts including Nomad Foods, Lumina Intelligence, Bio&Me, and the British Nutrition Foundation, about the key trends defining today’s food and drink landscape.
Danish Crown to cut 800 jobs
The international meat producer has announced major job cuts amidst restructure and profit losses.
Functional stacking: the new nutrition obsession you haven’t heard of yet
Matthew Balkin, Huel’s former nutrition lead, Registered Nutritionist and founder of Balkin Nutrition, looks at the future of nutrition as its focus moves from just ingredients to biological systems.
Hilltop operating profit falls 35%
Hilltop Food Group’s turnover grew by 3% for the year ended 31 August 2025, but profits have taken a steep decline.
How manufacturers are fighting back on energy costs
Thousands of food manufacturers reported being in significant financial distress this first quarter as energy prices continue to spiral - but this squeeze may also be accelerating a long-term rethink on how businesses power their operations.
Opinion
How the Arla–DMK merger will strengthen Europe’s whey power
With Arla and DMK merged, Europe’s whey processing power will be even more formidable
What Lidl’s growth means for food and drink manufacturers
Lidl has become the fifth largest supermarket in Great Britain, reflecting a deeper shift in grocery that F&B brands manufacturers need to pay attention to.
Two-thirds of Brits spending extra £100 on food shops as inflation bites
New data has revealed that as many as two-thirds of people in the UK are now spending an extra £100 a month on food shops as inflationary pressures hit.
Food manufacturers see Q1 struggles as Iran War impact hits
New research has indicated that food manufacturers are beginning to see a tangible economic pinch from the Iran War.
‘Completely preposterous’: Food industry reacts to price cap proposals
Industry leaders react to voluntary price cap proposals floated by Downing Street to supermarkets last week.
Greencore swings to loss after £1.5BN Bakkavor deal
Despite underlying growth, the costs of integrating Bakkavor have pushed the group operating profit into the red.
Morrisons in talks to supply food to rivals as debt pile mounts
Morrisons is reportedly negotiating with rival grocers in a bid to sell them food as it looks to slash its growing debt.
Food GCSE may be ‘downgraded’ in curriculum shake-up
The Department for Education has proposed changes to the UK curriculum, which will see food at GCSE level left out in the cold.
Morrisons to axe 100 convenience stores, staff left in limbo
Supermarket chain Morrisons is set to close 100 of its Morrisons Daily stores, affecting hundreds of staff across the country.
An existential shift is coming: Dimbleby on the forces set to reshape food
The industry is already seeing a myriad of different pressures, including increased labour and input costs, but Henry Dimbleby has warned things may get much worse before they get better.
Is the Magnum Ice Cream Company ready to thrive?
Recent chatter about private equity interest has brought the company’s performance into focus
IGD exclusive: How to win with shoppers in an evolving online landscape
The Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD) forecasts for the UK show that online is set to be the fastest-growing channel over the next few years. So how can manufacturers maximise this opportunity? Rosie Young, shopper insight analyst at IGD, explores...
44% of Brits avoid products over ingredient concerns
New data from YouGov has revealed widespread consumer alarm over harmful substances in products, with almost half of UK adults avoiding products and brands as a result.
Lumina Intelligence launches Category Management & Insight Awards 2026
Following a successful inaugural year, Lumina Intelligence announces the return of the Category Management & Insight Awards 2026, with an expanded programme celebrating excellence across the entire food and drink industry.
Research: Do different farming systems boost antimicrobial resistance?
A new study led by the Quadram Institute has explored whether farming methods are a major driver of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and the results may surprise you...
Why Premier Foods is unfazed by GLP-1s
Premier Foods full year results showed promising growth, driven by its sweet treat division. While weight loss drugs and health-conscious consumers are on the rise, the chief executive has revealed little concern over the impact of GLP-1s.
Food experts call on governments to take action on spiralling food prices
Experts are urging world governments to get a grip on runaway food prices amid the rumbling geopolitical crisis set off by the Iran war.
Unilever shaken by investor exit as McCormick deal unsettles shareholders
Unilever’s $40bn Foods merger with McCormick is facing mounting backlash, as shares slide and investors divest
Kraft Heinz split in doubt as weak performance blunts break-up case
With performance still lagging, Kraft Heinz’s paused split looks increasingly uncertain
UK functional drinks market hits £100M
The UK’s functional drinks market is now worth £100 million in value sales, according to the latest data compiled by NielsenIQ (NIQ).
Explosion in UK demand for GLP-1s risks NHS capacity crisis
New data has revealed that millions of people in the UK are turning to GLP‑1 weight loss drugs, marking a rapid surge in demand that the NHS will be unable to keep pace with.
Convenience to lose market share despite £740BN forecast
Global convenience is set to hit £740 billion by 2030, but will lose market share, according to figures released by the Institute for Grocery Distribution (IGD).
10 CEO scandals that shook food and drink
Amid a wave of high‑profile CEO changes in food and drink, we reflect on the biggest leadership controversies of the past 50 years
Magnum’s ‘multisensorial’ ice cream tops FMCG NPD chart
New analysis from Worldpanel by Numerator places Magnum’s Utopia ice cream among the top innovative products for 2025.
Nestlé weathers formula crisis to deliver strong Q1 growth
Nestlé overcomes infant formula recall to deliver solid Q1 growth, powered by Coffee and Confectionery
Healthy F&B: What the modern consumer wants
A new report from Lumina Intelligence has outlined the key trends shaping UK consumers’ expectations when it comes to healthy food and drink.
45% of Brits cutting back amidst health trends and GLP-1s
Almost half of British adults (45%) are now following a specific diet as health continues to lead the charge.
10 iconic food and drink brands that flopped worldwide
From New Coke to Crystal Pepsi, even the biggest brands can fail fast
Why five-year plans no longer cut it for food businesses
Traditionally focused on much shorter-term horizons, the food sector is increasingly being forced to look way ahead as climate change and geopolitical unrest become the norm.
US naval blockade of Iran sparks global trade shock
The US has halted all seaborne commercial trade to and from Iranian ports following the failure of peace talks, a move industry experts warn will further bake volatility into energy markets, supply chains and UK growth.
2026 Drinks Report
Food Manufacture’s 2026 Drinks Report is out now, shining a spotlight on the key trends and developments shaping business patterns across the industry over the past year.
Dutch pig slaughter falls by 780K in five years
Abattoirs in the Netherlands processed the lowest number of pigs in the first quarter of 2026 since 2009.
Brits ditching certain foods as they face £6K annual grocery bill
New data has showed the impact of grinding inflation on UK households, with 61% saying they’re cutting back on their food shopping due to increasing costs.
European plant-based market hits €16.3BN
The plant-based food category is now worth €16.3 billion across six European markets and open for further growth, data from Circana shows.
California pushes ‘non-UPF’ seal as certifications multiply and confusion grows
A proposed state-backed label aims to simplify ultra-processed food choices, but could competing definitions and private certifications risk muddying the message for consumers and complicate reformulation efforts?
Unilever and McCormick shares tumble as investors baulk at food ‘megamerger’
Shares in both Unilever and McCormick Foods have fallen sharply following the announcement of their planned deal for the former’s food division.