The FMT Blog
Opinion, analysis and musings from the FMT editorial team and expert guest writers about the food processing and manufacturing sector.
Grocery sales see fastest growth for over 25 years during lockdown
According to the latest data from Kantar, take-home grocery sales rose by 16.9% during the 12 weeks to 12th July 2020, the fastest growth rate since records began in 1994. Total sales reached a record £31.6 billion, reflecting three months of increased grocery...
Industry outlines plans for Covid-19 recovery
A ‘Covid-19 Recovery Plan’ has been launched by the Food and Drink Sector Council (FDSC) which outlines six key areas that will be central to restarting all sectors of the food industry, protecting food industry employees and serving the changing needs of the public....
New UK Global Tariff could provide lifeline to hospitality businesses
A new UK global tariff which is set to replace the current EU Common External Tariff could provide a much-needed boost to the UK hospitality sector, according to the latest market insight from Regency Group. The new tariff, which will come into effect from 1st January...
Arla Foods partners with Sainsbury’s for Integrated Beef Programme
Dairy company Arla Foods is joining Sainsbury’s in a new voluntary scheme that will see its farmer owners receive a guaranteed price and home for their calves at conception when producing Aberdeen Angus beef for the retailer’s Taste the Difference range. The...
Irish food board teams up with John Chantarasak to launch BBQ summer campaign
Bord Bia, the Irish food board, has launched a campaign alongside celebrity chef John Chantarasak to help encourage consumers to try a range of Thai-inspired recipes and flavours this summer. In response to a carcass imbalance and a significantly challenged...
Nominations and voting for FMT Industry Awards gathering pace
Companies, organisations, retailers, suppliers and manufacturers are continuing to nominate products and cast their votes in the Food Management Today Industry Awards 2021 as the deadline for entries gets closer. Editor of Food Management Today, Pam Brook said: “The...
Price cuts as fast-food outlets take advantage of Chancellor’s VAT scheme
KFC, Pret A Manger and McDonald’s are among some of the fast-food chains that will offer customers discounts on menu items as part of the Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme. The scheme, which slashed VAT for the foodservice and hospitality industry...
Princes exits non-recyclable EPS pots
International food and drink group Princes has announced it has stopped using expanded polystyrene (EPS) pots for its products in an efforts to improve the sustainability of its packaging. Princes Group had used EPS pots for a number of years across its Napolina and...
New Warburtons fund aims to support bakery start-ups
Warburtons has teamed up with small and medium-sized business accelerator, Mission Ventures, to launch a new fund which aims to support bakery start-ups. ‘Batch Ventures’ combines equity funding together with hands-on support from successful entrepreneurs and industry...
Truss says US trade deal won’t mean lower standards
International trade secretary, Liz Truss, has said the UK is not prepared to compromise on food standards in a post-Brexit trade deal with the US. Truss told the BBC: “We will not be negotiating that away as part of a trade deal. "It is against the law to import...