Co-op warns UK food resilience under threat as meat imports rise dramatically
The retailer is sounding the alarm over British food resilience after revealing that UK meat imports rose sharply to £5 billion in 2025.
Supply Chain
The ‘Hormuz challenge’: UK must keep calm and carry on
Continued constraints on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz are undoubtedly affecting the UK food sector - but the UK’s food system has proven before that it’s resilient, we just need to make sure we don’t panic.
Over 400 Nestlé UK jobs at risk
Swiss food and drink giant Nestlé is said to be planning major job cuts in the UK, with as many as 450 jobs at risk according to the GMB union.
Co-op renews pledge to exclusively sell British-grown strawberries
Co-op Group is set to become the first UK retailer to move to 100% British strawberries for the fourth year running.
Higher fertiliser costs risk lower-protein wheat
Food Manufacture speaks to AHDB’s lead analyst for cereals and oilseeds to find out how the war between the US, Israel and Iran has been impacting prices and farmer action.
The Strait of Hormuz to reopen, says Iran
The Iranian foreign minister says the crucial corridor separating the Arabian Peninsula and Iran will reopen – while oil prices have quickly started to drop, the fallout of the closure will have lasting impacts.
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.
2,000+ supply ships stranded: Iran war puts food security at risk
What started as an energy shock is fast becoming a food crisis, with stranded cargoes and fertiliser shortages threatening global supply chains
Iran conflict: The 5 biggest pressure points for food and beverage
The price of oil and transport dominates headlines: but food and beverage companies need to anticipate other potential impacts
Inside Rounton Coffee: ‘Getting beans to Britain is anything but easy’
Food Manufacture takes a behind-the-scenes look at independent roaster Rounton Coffee and what it takes to source and produce its Great Taste award winning products.
Iran conflict: How food can prepare for fertiliser shortages
How can the food sector prepare for future crises?
Cross‑industry food waste coalition targets 30M meals a year by 2028
Five major supermarkets have rolled out a joint fundraising campaign, as the food industry partners up to transport food to redistribution charities for the first time.
The hands that pick the tea should share in its prosperity
Tea is one of the world’s most widely consumed beverages, connecting millions of consumers to tea gardens across Asia and Africa. Yet the majority female skilled workforce behind it often remains invisible.
Food inflation expected to reach at least 9%
In light of escalating conflict in Iran, the FDF expects food inflation to be much higher - reaching between 9-10% by the end of the year.
Cocoa can’t keep up - so what do we do?
The structural gap between cocoa supply and demand will not close anytime soon, warns Raphaël Felenbok, cocoa and chocolate industry expert and board advisor at Win-Win.
Turmoil in Tehran: How the Iran War will impact UK food prices
The Iran War is now well into its fourth week, and its global economic consequences are beginning to hit home.
The pistachio problem
Pistachios took the spotlight after a viral TikTok made Dubai chocolate a global sensation. But beneath the buzz lies a very complicated supply chain riddled with hidden risks.
Seasonal Worker Scheme: Risk of exploitation remains high
UK Government received feedback on the seasonal worker scheme – now it must act, writes Anti-Slavery International’s business and human rights manager.
£500K counterfeit drinks seized as authorities make arrest
An estimated £500,000 of counterfeit wine and prosecco has been intercepted in a National Food Crime Unit operation.
How to protect food supply chains in conflict zones
As conflict proliferates, food companies must be prepared
Everything you need to know about Seasonal Worker visas
There are several challenges and question marks that remain around Seasonal Worker visas, Denise Osterwald, legal director in the immigration team at Birketts LLP explores...
EU Council backs EUDR simplification and delay - so what now?
The EU Council has agreed to a one-year delay to EUDR, which would see the deadline for medium- and large-sized companies move to 30 December 2026.
Government has ‘no coordinated food resilience plan’, says food trade body boss
The UK ‘cannot afford to continue in this way or the consequences for it and the welfare and lives of its citizens could be dire’, director general of the Provision Trade Federation (PTF) Rod Addy tells influential Parliamentary group.
Co-op warns 150k jobs at risk without urgent business rates reform
The retailer is calling for the Autumn Budget to include a meaningful long-term reduction in rate bills, with 77% of small high street shop owners in England saying a reform is essential for survival.
What retailers really want: Six ways to build better supplier partnerships
Drawing on insights from the latest Fearless Foodies Podcast, host Amy Wilkinson explores how Tesco’s director of product development and innovation, Breige Donaghy, is reshaping supplier relationships.
Aldi remains UK’s cheapest supermarket as Lidl invests £250M into price cuts
Aldi has kept hold of its crown as the UK’s cheapest supermarket, while second place Lidl makes a major investment in price cuts in the run up to Christmas.
Suppliers still hesitant to report retail issues, despite ‘no retaliation’ promise
Going forwards, the Adjudicator, Mark White, said he is focusing on fixing payment, forecasting and delisting issues which were all flagged as big issues among suppliers.
UK wholesaler Parfetts opens new depot in Southampton
UK-based wholesaler Parfetts has opened its new depot in Southampton.
Farmers demand fair treatment by supermarkets as new watchdog debated
Nearly 30 MPs have backed the creation of a new watchdog tasked with addressing the imbalance of power between supermarkets and British farmers.
Unite secures recognition for members at UK cold storage site
Unite the Union has been officially recognised as the trade union representative of the workers at a cold storage warehousing site in Peterborough.
Food prices continue to climb
The Labour Government have come under fire following an unexpected rise in inflation, with several food and drink commodities hitting double digits.
HGV driver market facing ‘complete shortage’ by 2029
The UK is facing a ‘complete shortage’ of heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers by 2029, Nationwide Vehicle Contracts has warned.
Nurture Brands switches charitable donations to FareShare
Nurture Brands has announced that all its future charitable donations will go to FareShare.
Harnessing blockchain to solve supply chain and circular economy challenges
Clare Adelgren, global head of blockchain sales and operations at EY, discusses the role blockchain could play in the transition towards a circular economy.
Co-op to stop trading with Israel after member vote at AGM
Co-op has announced that it will cease trading with Israel after 73% of its members backed a motion calling for the move at last month’s AGM.
How to tackle data chaos
Earlier this month, Food Manufacture and TraceGains brought together a group of industry representatives to discuss the topic of data dominance and how information can be translated into meaningful action for business efficiency, food safety, NPD and...
Farmer facing £40,000 bill after 200 tonnes of rubbish dumped on farm
A farmer fears that he could face a £40,000 bill to clear more than 200 tonnes of rubbish that was fly-tipped on his farm.
£13.6m grants announced to support food redistribution
Grants totalling £13.6 million have been offered to 12 food charities in England to support the redistribution of an estimated 19,000 tonnes of food directly from farms in order to fight food poverty.
Aldi freezes price of baby formula
Aldi has pledged to freeze the price of its own brand baby formula for the rest of this year.
Aldi opening 10 UK stores this summer
Aldi has announced that it will open 10 new stores in the UK this summer.
Unitas Wholesale welcomes new on-trade member
An independent brewer and wholesaler from East Anglia has joined Unitas Wholesale as an on-trade member.
Simplified ingredients lists and their impact on the supply chain
As a growing number of food and drink manufacturers explore simplified ingredients lists, Food Manufacture looks at the supply chain challenges that may arise should you choose to transition away from more complex formulations.
Unitas hires new trading director
Unitas Wholesale has announced that Gurms Athwal is set to join the business as its new trading director.
Precision breeding legislation backed by parliament
The production of precision-bred crops is set to become legal in England after secondary legislation covering the area received backing in parliament.
New system to help cut the financial and reputational costs of recalls
A new piece of software that could help cut the financial and reputational costs of food and drink recalls has been launched by Marketpoint Recall.
Coca-Cola HBC extends partnership with Wincanton
Coca-Cola HBC has extended its long-term partnership with supply chain and logistics company Wincanton.
English wholesaler acquired by United Wholesale Scotland
Leading Scottish wholesaler United Wholesale Scotland (UWS) has announced the acquisition of London-based firm Time Wholesale Services (TWS).
HGV drivers warned of summer safety risks
Heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers have been warned of the risks they face making deliveries during the summer months.
Avoiding food scarcity: A supply-chain wake-up call
Recent headlines illustrate that food scarcity is no longer a distant risk - it’s becoming a growing reality. Dave Howorth, executive director at global supply chain and logistics consultancy, SCALA, looks at the risks and how the supply chain can build...