Brexit

The world is facing simultaneous maritime disruptions, with crucial trade waterways impacted. Credit: Getty/PeterHermesFurian

Short read

F&B industry outlook: from war to inflation

By Bethan Grylls

We are in a period of considerable instability fuelled by political, economic and environmental challenges – Food Manufacture’s latest webinar gathered four experts to take stock on what’s been happening. Here’s the highlights…

We mustn't forget our most important trading partner, says the FDF. Credit: Getty/Studio1222

News

UK import and export trade snapshot

By Bethan Grylls

The trade report from the Food and Drink Federation (FDF), which assessed the period between January and December 2023, warns that new trade barrier rules could reverse export growth.

Shipping costs have seen drastic price increases amid Red Sea attacks. Credit: Getty/djtrener

News

How to ride the wave in a permacrisis

By Bethan Grylls

Food Manufacture’s upcoming webinar brings together expert panel to provide overview of UK economy and geopolitical climate, as they strive to help food producers minimise disruption in volatile times.

Manufacturers remain optimistic despite many admitting to increasing prices in the face of cost pressures Image: Getty, gerenme

News

Manufacturers remain optimistic in the face of cost pressures

By Gwen Ridler

More than two thirds (68%) of food and drink businesses are optimistic about future growth, despite costs continuing to be a significant challenge, according to a survey by accountancy and business advisory firm Johnston Carmichael.

'Not for EU' labelling rules look set to impact a number of food and drink manufacturers across Great Britain

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GB-wide ‘Not for EU’ labelling

By Rod Addy

Provision Trade Federation (PTF) director general Rod Addy looks at the potential implications of the 'Not for EU' labelling requirement that will impact a number of food and drink manufacturers from October 2024.

As 2024 looms, our editor highlights several key moments of 2023. Credit: Getty/smshoot

Long read

7 big moments of 2023 for food and drink

By Bethan Grylls

As we usher in the new year, Bethan Grylls takes a look back over the course of 2023 and flags seven key moments for the food and drink industry.

Addy: 'The reality is that UK food has a great deal to commend it'

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The UK's approach to trade

By Rod Addy

Despite a rich cultural history, the UK remains reluctant to shout the praises of its strong food and drink industry. Provision Trade Federation (PTF) director general Rod Addy explores Britain’s attitude to food and how it has impacted trade, security...

UK cheese exporters to Canada likely to see losses, says PTF's Rod Addy

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UK cheese exports to Canada: Not looking so 'grate'

By Rod Addy

UK cheese producers exporting to Canada face losing millions of pounds and are already taking a hit during post-Brexit bilateral negotiations to establish a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the country.

We delve into the state of the food and beverage industry and its future outlook. Credit: Getty/bin kontan

Short read

State of the food and drink sector in 2023 and beyond

By Bethan Grylls

In an exclusive online event, Food Manufacture heard from three industry experts as they captured today’s food and drink trends and how wider societal challenges have impact behaviour and policy.

Our recent webinar sponsored by Infor looked at how you can expand your business for profitable growth - here are the takeaways...Credit: Getty/Ralf Hahn

Long read

How to grow your business successfully

By Bethan Grylls

Profitable growth is every organisation’s dream – but it usually comes with a raft of challenges. So how do you navigate growth and expansion, with the best chances of profit at the end?

Rod Addy discusses the considerable barriers that still remain for food and drink exporters post Brexit

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Barriers to trade

By Gwen Ridler

In his latest column, Provision Trade Federation director general Rod Addy discusses the considerable barriers that still remain for food and drink exporters post Brexit and unanswered questions in the wake of the Target Operating Model.

The UK has been over reliant on EU-trained vets historically, but regulation post-Brexit has added a spanner in the works. Credit:Getty/andresr

Long read

Solving the UK vet shortage

By Bethan Grylls

Following the UK’s departure from the EU, the UK’s veterinary sector was hit hard. Now, shortages threaten food safety risks and delays at borders – so what can we do to change this bleak narrative?

2023's biggest threats to food and drink manufacturers. Credit: Getty/Richard Drury

Long read

Today’s biggest risks in food and drink manufacturing

By Bethan Grylls

Marsh, a leading insurance broker and risk advisor, recently highlighted several big threats producers should be aware of in 2023. Here we summarise the findings and how one might mitigate against them.

New rules coming into play this October risk causing disruption the food supplies this Christmas

News

Looming Brexit rule changes risk Christmas food disruption

By Gwen Ridler

Supplies of food during the Christmas trading window could face disruption thanks to looming Brexit rule changes that businesses are unaware of and unprepared for, according to the Cold Chain Federation (CCF).

Food adn drink M&A activity is starting to bounce back, but the value of deals has yet to hit the historic average

News

Food and drink M&A activity on the rise

By Gwen Ridler

Food and drink merger and acquisition (M&A) activity is on the rise, but the value of deals has dropped in the face of persistent macroeconomic headwinds and the absence of larger players in the market.

How has the cost of living crisis influenced policy?

Column: We need to talk about ...

Food prices

By Rod Addy

With food inflation still high and cost of living pressures influencing policy, Provision Trade Federation director general Rod Addy explores the Government’s response to food price rises and the challenges surrounding supply chain fairness.

Exports to Australia and New Zealand are expected to boom once FTA come into effect

News

FTAs to boost flagging exports to Australia

By Gwen Ridler

Exports to Australia and New Zealand dipped in the first quarter of 2023, but the free trade agreements (FTAs) that come into force this week could signal significant growth for the rest of the year.

Industry leaders were at Number 10 Downing Street to discuss the state of the sector. Credit: Getty/  Nigel Harris

News

Food summit a first step, but must lead to ‘tangible change’

By Gwen Ridler

The Prime Minister’s Farm to Fork Summit has been described as a constructive first step towards addressing the biggest challenges facing the UK’s food and drink supply chain, but criticism was levelled at the lack of detail on how the Government would...

The manufacturing sector needs to prepare for a record number of insolvencies, accroding to Higgs.  Image: Getty, Stas_V

News

Threat of insolvency for manufacturers on the rise

By Gwen Ridler

Insolvencies in the food and drink manufacturing industry have seen a steady decline since September last year, but a record number of insolvencies could be on the horizon for the manufacturing sector, according to law firm Higgs.

Addy: 'With a government continually driven by Brexit ideologues, my concern is there will be no urgency to speed up implementation where snags occur'

Column: We need to talk about...

UK Border Control

By Rod Addy

As the UK gears up to implement the second half of Brexit, Provision Trade Federation director general Rod Addy questions whether the Government has set over-ambitious deadlines to achieve it UK Border Target Operating Model.

Food inflation may be at its highest, but market indicators suggest it may be at its peak

News

Food inflation accelerates but could be hitting its peak

By Gwen Ridler

Food inflation has risen to 19.2% in March from 18.2% in February, the highest rate in 45 years, rocketing ahead of CPI’s inflation of 10.1%, according to Office of National Statistics figures.

What does the Windsor Framework mean for the food and beverage sector?

Column: We need to talk about...

The Windsor Framework: Part 2 - The dust settles

By Rod Addy

Earlier this month, Rod Addy of the Provision Trade Federation, looked at what the Windsor Framework could mean for the food and drink sector. Now, as things have settled, he delves a bit deeper into the implications and opportunities in part two of this...

Bethan Grylls speaks to Timothy Lang about food insecurity in Britain and what action is needed

Video

Why can't the UK solve food insecurity? Episode seven

By Bethan Grylls

In the final episode of this seven-part series brought to you by Food Manufacture and sponsored by RSSL, our editor Bethan Grylls, meets with Timothy Lang of City University, emeritus professor of food policy.

Left to right: Kim Kettle of Long Clawson Dairy chats with Bethan Grylls of Food Manufacture

Video

Why can't the UK solve food insecurity? Episode four

By Bethan Grylls

Episode four finds Bethan Grylls in Leicester where she hears from cooperative-run cheese manufacturer, Long Clawson Dairy and one of its affiliated farmers, Paul Eggleston, on the link between sustainability and food security.

Left to right: Anna Taylor, Food Foundation with Bethan Grylls, Food Manufacture

Video

Why can't the UK solve food insecurity? Episode one

By Bethan Grylls

Watch our seven-part documentary, as our editor travels around the UK to find out why one of the richest countries in the world - Britain - is experiencing food insecurity.

The PM's Windsor Framework promised little by has the potential to overdeliver for food and drink firms

Column: We need to talk about ...

The Windsor Framework

By Rod Addy

Provision Trade Federation director general Rod Addy discusses the recently agreed Windsor Framework and its implications for the food and drink industry in his exclusive column for Food Manufacture.

Rishi Sunak has agreed a deal with the EC that could end trade barriers between Britaina and Northern Ireland

News

UK agrees new Northern Ireland Brexit deal with EU

By Gwen Ridler

Prime minister Rishi Sunak has agreed a new Brexit deal for Northern Ireland with European Commission president Ursula Van der Leyen, which would see the end of restrictions on the trade of goods traveling overseas in the UK.

It may feel like we're walking the plank as a planet, but we just have to keep moving. Credit: Getty / Richard Drury

Column: We need to talk about...

Cracking on in the permacrisis

By Rod Addy

In his first regular column for Food Manufacture, Rod Addy of the Provision Trade Federation, explores the fragile ground we find ourselves on and provides an honest outlook of the future of food production.

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