COVID-19

What challenges now face the food and drink supply chain?

Long read

Challenges and developments in the food and drink supply chain

By Gwen Ridler

With the food and drink industry under constant threat from global pressures such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, how has the supply chain managed to keep up and running and what new developments do operators need to be aware of?

Red meat production is returning to pre-Covid patterns

Red meat production is returning to pre-Covid patterns

By Michelle Perrett

Red meat production is returning to pre-Covid patterns as the impact of the pandemic is subsiding, the latest Monthly Market Bulletin by Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) has revealed.

Salmonella has dogged the food industry over the past few months. iStock credit Manjurul

Digital feature: long read

Food safety trends

By Michelle Perrett

The past two years have brought rapid and relentless change to the food chain and this shows no signs of slackening.

The Government has U-turned on its decision to implement further restriction on EU imports

Government U-turn on border strategy: Industry reaction

By Gwen Ridler

The UK government’s U-turn on border strategy will help clear up red tape surrounding imports, but could endanger parts of the industry to potentially devastating disease risks, warned members of the food and drink industry.

There isn’t yet a trusted international certification scheme for sustainable soya

Digital feature: long read

Sustainable sourcing: the challenges

By Michelle Perrett

Food and drink processors are making constant progress in tackling the sustainability of the raw materials they use, from energy, gas, packaging, to ingredients such as soy and palm oil.

Twinings Ovaltine performed well in its interim period, ABF said

Sugar and ingredients soar as ABF offsets inflation

By Rod Addy

Associated British Foods (ABF) claims its sugar and ingredients divisions have delivered powerful performances in the 24 weeks to 5 March 2022, while Twinings Ovaltine proved a star performer in its grocery channel.

Low stocks and shipping issues could see a shortage of sushi rice in the UK

Sushi rice prices set to explode

By Gwen Ridler

The UK is set to experience a significant increase in the price of sushi rice, according to ingredients firm Eurostar Commodities.

Heavy goods vehicle driver shortage: what's the answer?

Heavy goods vehicle driver shortage: what's the answer?

By Michelle Perrett & Rod Addy

The heavy goods vehicle (HGV) driver shortage will only marginally improve by sourcing more EU workers; attracting UK drivers with better wages and working hours is preferable, a report has suggested.

Lolay: 'Disruptions to supply chains and shortages of labour'

Food and drink output plunges

By Rod Addy

Food and drink sector output fell at the fastest pace in eight months as staff shortages, driven partly by large numbers of workers self-isolating, restricted production capacity, according to Lloyds Bank UK Recovery Tracker.

Simtom Foods's factory is based at Merry Lees Industrial Estate in Leicestershire

World foods supplier Simtom Food Products in administration

By Rod Addy

Simtom Food Products Limited, the family-owned ethnic condiments manufacturer, has entered administration citing the impact of the pandemic and labour shortages, after making most of its 60-strong permanent workforce redundant.

Milton: 'We have seen an increase in the use of robotics'

Food Manufacture Excellence Awards: Menzies on industry trends

Food Manufacture Excellence Awards: Menzies on industry trends

By Gwen Ridler & Rod Addy

The food industry faces three immediate trends offering pitfalls and opportunities, according to Caroline Milton, head of manufacturing at Menzies, headline sponsor of the Food Manufacture Excellence Awards in this videocast.

Driver shortages continue to plague the dairy industry

Dairy UK pressures Government on driver shortages

By Gwen Ridler

Members of the dairy industry continue to pressure the Government to prevent further damage to the industry caused by the shortage of heavy good vehicle (HGV) drivers, as the driver crisis threatens Arla’s milk supply.

Bakkavor's salad sales were still behind 2019 levels, but a recovery in food-to-go still drove a strong sales performance

Bakkavor trading 'ahead of 2019' except for salads

By Rod Addy

Bakkavor, the fresh prepared food manufacturer, has reported second quarter trading ahead of 2019, although sales of salads had been hit by COVID-19 restrictions and mixed weather.

Food safety never sleeps

Food safety never sleeps

By Jerome Smail

In a world where COVID-19 has forced a readjustment of priorities in so many areas, food safety has rightly remained at the very top of the agenda for producers.

Sanderson: 'Remote risk management has opened our eyes to new possibilities'

Has remote compliance become business as usual?

By Rick Sanderson

Operating a laboratory relying on the steady flow of samples from across the world for various methods of integrity testing, life looked as uncertain for us as it did for the rest of the industry a year ago.

L to R: Salcombe Brewery chairman John Tiner with Beaman at the new site

Me & My Team: Salcombe Brewery

By Sam Beaman

Salcombe Brewery has weathered the pandemic, has almost completed a £1m site and is poised to roll out a new canned pilsner this summer, head brewer Sam Beaman tells Food Manufacture.

Exports from the UK were down in 2020 thanks to the pandemic and Brexit

Food and drink exports dip in 2020

By Gwen Ridler

UK food and drink exports fell 9.7% in 2020 compared to the previous year, but opportunities to grow in overseas markets still remain, according to a new report.

Cider sales stayed strong thanks to growing interest in craft products and premiumisation

Cider stays strong despite COVID-19 restrictions

By Gwen Ridler

Cider sales have continued to grow despite the closure of pubs during the latest lockdown, with crafted and premium brands leading the charge, according to a new report from Westons Cider.

Marmite production is set to rise as pubs reopen

Production of Marmite is set to bounce back as pubs reopen

By Gwen Ridler

The reopening of pubs after lockdown will lead to a boost in production of Marmite and similar products affected by the mass closure of foodservice and hospitality businesses, online retailer Approved Food claims.

COVID-19 disruption and the new tech norm

COVID-19 disruption and the new tech norm

By Gwen Ridler

Digital technology and the disruption caused by COVID-19 has helped accelerate technology adoption in the food and drink industry and advance food safety practices, according to a panel of industry experts.

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