-8.7%

Butchery

Market News

Michelin to present first batch of international key awards:

The first Michelin Keys, the hotel equivalent of a Michelin Star, were presented 8th April, starting with a list of hotels in France. Further Key awards will be released in batches by country at later dates, which the guide has yet to confirm.

"While the Michelin Star recognises the most outstanding restaurants in the world, the Michelin Key does the same for outstanding hotels," Michelin said in an announcement.

Hotels have been recommended in its guides since the 1920s but Michelin said the Key would highlight the "crème de la crème" of its selection.

New Brexit Import Charges:

New Brexit charges on imported goods from the EU will damage the food industry, several trade bodies have warned. The government revealed on Wednesday companies importing products such as sausages, cheese, yoghurt and cut flowers face fees of up to £145 per load from

30th April.

But the industry has warned that the levy, known as the common user charge (CUC), will severely impact businesses and hit food prices while reducing choice of goods for UK consumers.

The Fresh Produce Consortium said the charges would “cripple” those in the fresh produce and flower industry, who imported the majority of their goods from the EU.

National Living Wage Increase

As of 1st of April 2024, the UK government has implemented a significant increase to the national living wage to £11.44 an hour for workers aged 21 and over, up from £10.42 previously. This 9.8% raise extends the living wage to a broader pool of younger employees as well. According to the government’s estimates, a full-time minimum wage worker will now earn £1,800 more annually, while a 21- year-old newly qualifying for the higher living wage rate will see a £2,300 yearly pay bump. At a time of high inflation and a ‘cost of living crisis’ the increase will no doubt be welcomed by most qualifying workers,

although some will argue it still falls short of the real living wage in the UK. However, those in the hospitality sector have complained they are being squeezed even further in an already tricky period.

Milk Prices Possibly Set To Rise Again

Following a spate of price hikes by processors over the past month, average farmgate prices are likely to continue rising into the spring and

summer. The likes of Freshways (up 2p to 37ppl), First Milk (up 72p to 37.72ppl) and Yew Tree Dairy (up 1p to 37ppl) are among 15 processors to have recently announced price increases, with many pointing to sluggish supply and the impact of bad weather on herds. Watch this space to see what impact this has on consumer prices!

• Total transit times will be delayed as ships are re-routed around the Cape of Good Hope. This means that shipment schedule reliability is non-existent. Furthermore, shipping lines will be unable to maintain subsequent schedules, with massive delays and backlogs anticipated. The expected delays are 10-20 days per container. This will make the forecasting of requirement more difficult.

• Spot rates and insurance costs are increasing rapidly on all affected trades. This will lead to an inevitable increase in freight cost.

• There is an expected issue with congestion and berthing at arrival ports in weeks to come across Asia, Europe and other regions of the world. This will lead to demurrage costs, again adding cost to products.

• Vessels are turning off their AIS identifying locators meaning they cannot be targeted. This also means that they are difficult to track which makes estimated times of arrival very difficult to know.

• Stock availability is likely to be affected. Frozen fish and seafood importers will be expecting consignments to arrive which have been planned precisely to enable continuation of supply. The delays could see stocks run out.

Given that these issues are related to frozen lines, we strongly advise that you communicate your requirements or significant changes in your current volumes, as soon as you are aware.

Fruit & Vegetables

What’s in season for April?



• Asparagus

• Jersey Royal Potatoes

• Purple Sprouting Broccoli

• Rainbow Chard

• Savoy Cabbage

• Watercress

• Rhubarb

• Wild Rocket

• Cos Lettuce

• Baby Mixed Leaf

• Wild Garlic

Potato supply continues to raise red flags and is unlikely to improve anytime soon. Strong prices will continue with growers reporting a real possibility of further increases over the coming months.

The English Asparagus season officially commences on April 23rd although we do expect stock from our suppliers from around mid-month. Wild garlic is the A-lister in the foraging world. This quite unique product, with soft earthy garlic notes, will be available in decent volumes through until mid-June. If your current supplier isn’t stocking it, please get in touch!