AGP Executive Report

UK Farm Drought & Food Security: Suffolk growers say July’s driest conditions on record cut yields 25–30% and are raising fears for the next harvest cycle. Heat Hits Retail: July heatwaves drove shoppers away from UK high streets, with footfall down 3.8% year-on-year, pushing more people online. Regulation Costs for Food Packaging: Schneider Electric warns the EU’s Aug 12 PPWR rules will add major compliance burden for UK/EU food and drink firms, including new PFAS tracking for food-contact packaging. Grocery Inflation Tracker: NIQ launches an EU5 FMCG inflation barometer, showing GB inflation at 2.3% (to 24 May 2026) and highlighting faster rises in non-alcoholic drinks and snacks. Food Hygiene Spotlight: A new FHRS analysis ranks Bradford among the lower-performing cities, with 18.41% of takeaways/sandwich shops scoring 3 or below. Community Food Support: Lidl expands its Olio partnership to around 200 stores, aiming to rescue up to nearly 12m meals a year. Care Home Food Festivals: Care UK is running “A Taste of Home” summer food events, including a Swindon barbecue using locally sourced ingredients.

Pub Policy Clash: Westminster City Council’s draft licensing rules targeting “vertical drinking” and standing at Soho/West End venues has sparked backlash from pubs and regulars, with fears of closures and job losses. Food Security Under Strain: After England and Wales’ driest July on record, drought and wildfire risk are escalating, with millions facing hosepipe bans and farmers warning of shrinking harvests and higher food bills. Drought Hits Livestock: North Wales farmers say drought is forcing earlier winter feed use and herd reductions as soil moisture collapses. Retail Pressure in Wales: Newport’s town-centre recovery looks fragile after M&S exits and footfall stabilises only at 0.0% year-on-year, leaving traders calling for practical government support. Food Waste Action: Lidl is expanding an Olio-linked scheme letting shoppers collect surplus food from participating West Midlands stores, aiming to cut waste and feed local communities. Drink Trends: Campari’s Sarti Rosa spritz has been crowned “drink of the summer” in the UK, riding TikTok popularity. Local Hospitality: An award-winning Rochester cafe/restaurant, Cafe Nucleus, is closing permanently after a kitchen fire. Beverage & Brand Moves: Bain Capital agrees to acquire bubble tea chain Gong cha to accelerate global expansion.

Food price pressure & drought risk: UBS flags global food inflation staying structurally higher, with climate risk, weak farm profitability, higher welfare costs, and rising labour costs all feeding into prices. Harvest crunch: UK coverage warns of a worst cereal harvest on record after extreme heat and drought, with knock-on effects for grocery bills. Animal health & farming strain: Bluetongue is spreading more severely across parts of the UK, hitting sheep farms hard. Aquaculture & environment: Anglers and salmon groups are calling to block a fish farm plan to more than double phosphorus discharge into Loch Tay, warning of algal blooms and oxygen loss. Retail & consumer heat response: Major supermarkets have suspended disposable barbecue sales amid wildfire concerns, with calls for a permanent ban. Drink & food business moves: Bain Capital has bought bubble tea chain Gong cha in a reported ~$900m deal, while Argent’s CannEpil expands into US veterinary development for companion-animal oncology and chronic pain. Local food safety: Warrington’s Cuppellos received a one-star food hygiene rating after an FSA inspection found major improvements needed in cleanliness and food-safety management. Awards & brands: Chester’s CHANCE Clean Cider wins a Great Taste one-star for its low-alcohol, British apple-led flavour.

Food Security Under Pressure: A Jersey grower argues small-scale, regenerative farming can adapt even as the UK faces its worst harvest since records began, with cereals and oilseed yields projected to fall and potential knock-on costs for food and feed. Weather Watch: After weeks of drought, rain and thunderstorms are forecast for parts of Northern Ireland, Scotland, western England and Wales, with flood alerts in Scotland and a north-south split leaving central and southern England still short on rainfall. Harvest Cost Crunch: Analysis links the hot, dry spring and summer to a cereal and oilseed shortfall of 2.5 million tonnes and estimates losses to farmers of up to £390m, raising food price worries. Livestock Trade Shock: Brittany Ferries will end livestock transport from Ireland to mainland Europe from September, prompting concern for Irish farmers and transporters and calls for a collaborative fix. Industry Leadership Move: Booker names Geoff Byrne as new CEO after Tesco Group reshuffles, with Andrew Yaxley taking over Tesco Ireland & Northern Ireland. Local Food & Drink: Fisher & Donaldson expands into East Lothian with its first Archerfield Walled Garden shop, bringing its award-winning breads and fudge doughnuts to a new audience. Health & Consumer Guidance: An expert warns “microwave-safe” takeaway labels don’t guarantee complete safety, especially for oily or very hot foods, as plastic type and food conditions affect leaching.

Food Security & Climate: Farmers warn 2026 could deliver the worst cereal harvest in four decades after brutal heat and drought, with research pointing to major yield losses and up to £390m in damage. Water & Health: North Wales drought and wildfire risk is driving calls for better countryside habits, while UK health agencies flag rising cyclosporiasis linked to travel and “explosive diarrhoea” cases. Supply Chain & Pricing Pressure: Which? names Aldi the cheapest supermarket (93-item basket £158.05), with Waitrose the most expensive (£226.95), underscoring ongoing squeeze on grocery budgets. Local Food & Community: Cardigan’s 26th food festival returns Aug 15 with about 6,000 visitors expected, spotlighting Welsh producers and street food. Regulation & New Food: UK Food Standards Agency issues new cultivated meat guidance, as Friends & Family Pet Food expands cultivated pet lines abroad. Industry & Compliance: Wolverhampton trading standards strip Muzy Mini Market of its licence over illegal cigarettes, vapes and counterfeit energy drinks. Environment Watch: Jersey’s St Ouen’s Bay closes after a reported shark sighting, with species not confirmed.

Heat & Water Stress: The Met Office says England and Wales have just endured their driest July on record, with hosepipe bans now affecting 20m+ people and forecasters warning thunderstorms won’t end the drought. Climate on the Farm: One Kent apple grower is coating Bramleys in clay “sunblock” to stop fruit “cooking” on the tree during heatwaves. Food Safety & Supply: UK food-security worries are rising as drought bites crops, with warnings of shortages for popular items. Retail & Foodservice Moves: Marston’s is rolling out a limited-edition Hawkstone IPA & beef pie across nearly 500 pubs, while Shrimp Shack opens its first outside-London site in Manchester’s Printworks. Awards & Taste: Great Taste 2026 winners are announced, with Wirral and Mid Cheshire producers among the star scorers. Industry Labour: Diageo has put 172 jobs at risk across its Highlands and island distilleries as it looks to cut costs. Innovation to Cut Waste: A seaweed-derived coating from UBC research can keep strawberries fresh for at least four days at room temperature. Food & Drink Culture: Great Taste also highlights new artisan wins, from chilli honey to cultured ghee.

Food & Community Moves: Sol Bistro in Birmingham is relocating after its Pershore Road site was sold, and it’s now asking locals for crowdfunding help to get the new, bigger café ready this autumn. Dog-Friendly Day Out: Arrow Valley Visitor Centre’s “Hounds In The Grounds” event (Aug 8) pairs dog show classes and stalls with food and drink from The Boathouse Café. Retail & Convenience: Waitrose is permanently extending rapid grocery delivery hours at 35 stores, with orders via Deliveroo/Uber Eats/Just Eat able to run until midnight (and in some places 24/7), while alcohol rules stay shop-licensing based. Drought Pressure on Food: The Met Office warns parts of the UK may still miss rain after the driest July on record, with heat health alerts in place and ongoing risk to crops and milk supplies. Local Food Safety: Birmingham eateries face enforcement after mouse droppings and cockroach infestations, with multiple businesses fined or closed following council action. Energy Costs for Hospitality: EDF Small Business and Heliotec are trialling an AI energy-management platform for 1,000+ hospitality/retail/light industry customers to cut bills. New Drinks on Shelves: Penrhos Spirits’ farm-to-bottle gin is listed in eight Waitrose stores across Wales and the borders, backed by in-store pop-ups.

Retail shake-up: Muscle Food, the high-protein meal and supplement brand, has fallen into administration after 13 years. Foodservice expansion: Scran+ Roadie is set to open a second site inside SuperPark at Glasgow’s Braehead, adding in-house bakery and family menu options. On-the-go dining: Roadchef has teamed up with Chaiiwala for a new M6 services outlet, bringing Karak Chaii and street-food wraps to motorway travellers. Value deals: Greggs has launched a new Quicknic lunch meal deal under £5, using a “Quicknic Code” based on weather forecasts to decide when it’s on. Food safety alert: Home Bargains has recalled Lay’s Sour Cream & Dill Crisps (125g) due to undeclared allergens, with the FSA warning customers not to eat affected best-before dates. Food security pressure: AFBI research suggests UK meat and dairy cuts wouldn’t immediately reduce production, but EU diet changes could limit export opportunities. Drought backdrop: The Met Office says July was the driest on record in southern England, raising fresh concerns for farmers and food supply. Community food culture: Place at the Table Glasgow brought chefs and writers together to debate modern Scottish food, identity and policy.

Plant-based deal: Livekindly Collective is buying Dutch meat-free maker Dalco Food from Hilton Food Group for £5.4m ($7.3m), expanding its B2B and private-label reach. Food waste & packaging: Researchers at Heriot-Watt University say salty cheese whey can be turned into bioethanol fuel, tackling a disposal headache for dairy. Dairy circularity: The same week also highlights new recycling-friendly packaging ideas, including paper-based “bubble wrap” designed to be recycled back into boxes. Retail expansion: Aldi has started site searches in Cheshire (including Widnes, Hartford and Handforth) as it pushes toward 1,500 UK stores. New openings: Taco Bell confirms its first Derby site opening on 12 August. Drink trend: Bird & Blend launches an iced pickle matcha drink in UK stores (limited run to 13 August). Farm support: innocent backs 18 projects via its Farmer Innovation Fund, aiming to strengthen fruit & veg supply chains. Food security pressure: Farmers warn drought and extreme weather could hit food availability and harvests.

Food Safety Recall: Home Bargains has recalled Lay’s Sour Cream & Dill Crisps because they may contain undeclared allergens (milk and wheat) and shoppers are told not to eat packs with best-before dates up to and including 31 October. Food Security & Farming: The NFU warns drought-hit conditions could trigger shortages of certain foods, with poor wheat/oat yields and reduced vegetable production as water supplies strain. Water & Supply Chain Pressure: With hosepipe bans across much of the UK, water companies’ exemptions include health-and-safety uses and animal welfare, but the wider message is tighter water access for households and businesses. Health Policy Fight: The WHO accuses ultra-processed food firms of using lawsuits to delay obesity measures in multiple countries, including the UK. Drought Impact on UK Wildlife: Wildfires and extreme heat have devastated rare habitats, with conservationists warning recovery could take decades. Community Food Access: Company Shop Group is seeking approval to open a membership-only “deeply-discounted food” community shop in north Halifax, adding a kitchen/café and training spaces. Local Drinks & Pubs: The Swan Inn in Hampshire has started serving Hydes Cyder and Hydes Lyte on draught, leaning into premium craft and no/low-alcohol demand.

Supermarket Loyalty Shake-Up: Sainsbury’s has added a £1 change to Nectar, letting shoppers earn 1 point per £1 on Sainsbury’s grocery orders via Uber Eats/ubereats.com across 1,300+ stores. Store Expansion Watch: Aldi is hunting sites in Dorset (Bournemouth, Dorchester, Ferndown, Poole) as it targets £370m of new stores this year and aims for 1,500 locations nationwide. Local Food & Drink Recognition: Herefordshire’s The New Inn at St Owen’s Cross is a finalist for Pub of the Year after national roast accolades, while Gun Dog Damson Gin Liqueur picked up “World’s Best” gin liqueur at the World Drinks Awards. Food Safety in the Spotlight: A Birmingham takeaway director and firm admitted failures after mouse droppings were found across food areas, leading to a closure and charges under food hygiene rules. Heat & Food Security Context: With drought and heatwave pressure continuing, UK retailers have been issuing “food shock” warnings and pushing food-supply priorities.

Shrinkflation Watch: Cadbury has been accused of a “sneaky” change to 360g Dairy Milk sharing bars, cutting weight by 15g while keeping the same size look, with the company blaming higher input costs. Food Safety Recall: The UK Food Standards Agency has issued a “do not eat” recall for Lay’s Sour Cream & Dill Crisps sold at Home Bargains because milk and wheat (gluten) aren’t clearly labelled, posing a risk for allergy sufferers and coeliac patients. Hospitality Energy Relief: Octopus Energy says its “Watt a Save” scheme helped hundreds of independent pubs save £30,000+ during the World Cup by giving free electricity during match times. Public Health at Events: Truck Festival 2026 shut down a food stall after dozens reported illness, with the council and UK Health Security Agency investigating a potential food poisoning outbreak. Ultra-processed Food Pushback: WHO’s head says the biggest ultra-processed food firms are hindering obesity efforts by suing governments over healthier-diet rules. Cask Ale Price Shock: A survey finds some cask ales have now crossed £5 a pint, with Timothy Taylor’s Landlord the priciest at £5.42. Care Home Community Food: A St Ives care home is hosting a free “A Taste of Home” food festival with locally sourced, seasonal dishes for residents and the wider community.

Heatwave food shock: With drought now declared across half of England, supermarkets are warning shoppers to expect price rises and tighter availability for staples like carrots, onions and potatoes, as dry soil shrinks crop sizes and irrigation-stressed produce may be replaced by costlier imports. Retail & hospitality openings: Wagamama is set to expand into UK motorway services for the first time, with sites agreed at Beaconsfield (M40) and Cobham (M25). Pub food tie-up: Marston’s is rolling out a limited-edition Hawkstone IPA & beef pie across 498 pubs, pairing Jeremy Clarkson’s beer brand with British beef and barley. Awards spotlight: Worcestershire cider CHANCE won a 1-star Great Taste Award, while The Lake District Tea Co. picked up its first Great Taste for Kendal Mint Brew tea. Local food hygiene case: A Bull Ring Indoor Market trader was convicted after inspections found mouse droppings, mouldy produce and out-of-date salmon. Consumer products: Nespresso launched two limited-edition iced coffee pods (Yuzu Vanilla and Coconut Vanilla) aimed at summer drinking. Travel rules: Some UK airports have dropped the 100ml liquid limit, allowing up to two litres through security.

Cultivated Meat Rules: The UK Food Standards Agency has published four new guidance documents for cultivated meat developers, covering how hygiene rules apply, scientific requirements, how to strengthen submissions, and taste-trial expectations. Prepared Food Deal: Scandi Standard is buying Ireland’s Glenhaven Foods for US$145.7m to expand fully cooked frozen chicken products across Ireland and the UK. Food Safety at Festivals: The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health is reminding food businesses about hygiene after a suspected food poisoning incident at Truck Festival, where a third-party vendor was removed quickly. Heatwave Support: Meals on Wheels provider HILS is rolling out extra hydration and wellbeing checks for older people in Hampshire, Hertfordshire and West Sussex. Retail & Food Industry: Hilton Food Group agreed to sell its Netherlands vegan/vegetarian business Dalco Food for £5.4m as it streamlines operations. Local Openings: Maki & Ramen is set to move into a Glasgow shopping-centre unit, while Scran+ Roadie plans a second venue inside SuperPark Glasgow with a kids menu. Sports Drink Partnership: Lucozade becomes Birmingham Phoenix’s official sports drink partner for The Hundred, supplying hydration to both squads. Food & Drink Events: Belfast’s Fleadh celebrations will feature Craic & Craft, a free market zone spotlighting local food, drink and artisan makers.

New CEO for wine sector: New Zealand Winegrowers has appointed Anishka Jelicich as chief executive, bringing more than two decades of global wine and drinks experience across New Zealand, the UK and Europe. Food security push: Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Aldi and others have backed a “Good Food Bill” urging Andy Burnham to treat food security like energy and defence, warning disruption is “not a question of if”. Health warning for travellers: UKHSA says cyclospora cases linked to Mexico travel have sharply risen, with “explosive diarrhoea” the key symptom and advice focused on food and water hygiene. Drought pressure on food: Wales has declared drought across the whole country, with low rivers affecting fish and grazing and raising concerns for farmers and water for livestock. Local retail and community food: Aldi is seeking new store sites in the West Midlands as part of a £370m expansion; Company Shop Group plans a new community shop and kitchen/cafe in Illingworth. Drink innovation: Yorkshire’s Theakston and Equinox have launched Hopbucha, an alcohol-free hop-and-kombucha hybrid backed by a Great Taste Award. Food safety at events: Truck Festival has removed a suspected third-party food stall after attendees reported severe stomach illness following Yorkshire pudding wraps.

Cyclospora Alert: UK health bodies report 67 cyclospora cases from April 30 to July 15, with 48 linked to travel (mostly Mexico, including Riviera Maya and Cancun), warning travellers to keep strict food and water hygiene as the seasonal outbreak rises. Hospitality Disruption: Whitbread is shutting all separately branded Beefeater and Brewers Fayre restaurants in the UK (106 Beefeater by Sept 10; 89 Brewers Fayre by Sept 7; other brands by Sept 3), shifting guests toward Premier Inn food outlets. Food & Drink Awards: Welsh gelato/sorbet maker Narberth Fire & Ice wins a 3-star Great Taste for passion fruit sorbet and is now a Golden Fork nominee. Local Food Scene: Lounge’s new Orco cafe-bar opens in Cleveleys on Oct 7, creating 30 jobs and hosting community groups. Coastal/Leisure Eats: Best Western is running a limited-time free breakfast deal at selected UK hotels, aimed at cutting family holiday costs. Heat & Farming Pressure: Defra confirms 73 bluetongue cases since July 1 (mainly England), with Devon and Somerset emerging as hotspots.