COMMODITIES REPORT

Fruit & Vegetables:

July is peak produce month in the UK, delivering a plentitude of homegrown produce to add

to your menus. What’s in season from the UK this month?

• Cherries
• Strawberries & Raspberries
• Gooseberries
• Tomatoes
• Salad
• Kale
• Broad & Runner Beans
• Peas
• Cucumbers
• Courgettes
• Beetroot

There have been some large fluctuations in night and day temperatures across southern

Italy, where most suppliers are currently sourcing roquette from. This has stressed the plants and they have stopped growing. Keep an eye on quality and availability.

It is the end of season now for English  Asparagus and Jersey Royal potatoes.

Lower than average temperatures have delayed the arrival of some key brassica lines such

as cauliflower, broccoli and tenderstem broccoli. Farmers have planted their crops later than

normal due to waterlogged fields, plus the growth rate was hampered by colder evening

temperatures.

The potato market continues to be challenging, with low stocks and poor availability. Our supply partners are working hard with their potato suppliers to maintain availability and quality. However, this has been an exceptionally challenging period, and we expect problems to continue through to the new season, with some longer-term implications for the market.

Beef


We are starting to see demand outstripping availability, especially for seasonal cuts such as burgers and steaks. This has meant prices have started creeping up.

Lamb


The outlook for UK lamb in the second half of 2024 is looking challenging. There is expected

to be a decline in domestic production as farmers had expected reduced demand. Price may therefore increase.

School Meal Funding:



The school caterers’ association is campaigning for the new administration to commit to a minimum funding level of £3 per meal per child in the face of significant cost increases and staff shortages at educational sites. Currently English schools outside London receive £2.53 per pupil per meal (London’s funding will rise to £3 from September), while Northern Irish schools are on £2.60, Welsh sites obtain £3.20 and Scottish schools receive £3.30.

Bidfood to make products’ carbon footprint data available to operators:



Food and beverage wholesaler Bidfood will be releasing details of individual products’ carbon footprint to its hospitality operator customers towards the end of this year.

As part of its project to reach net zero emissions by 2045 across scope 1, 2 and 3, the firm has linked up with climate intelligence platform CarbonCloud, which enables the food industry to holistically calculate and manage carbon footprints throughout the supply chain.

The system uses AI statistical and scientific models to gauge products’ carbon footprints, right the way from farms, through to processing, packaging and transportation.

Britvic accepts £3.3b Carlsberg takeover deal

Danish brewing giant Carlsberg has agreed to buy Robinsons squash maker Britvic in a £3.3b deal. It comes after weeks of negotiations between the two firms which saw Carlsberg’s two previous offers rejected.