Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

Food prices to soar due to Russia-Ukraine war, warns FDF

Food prices to soar due to Russia-Ukraine war, warns FDF

Costs will increase again, Food and Drink Federation warned on Friday (11), stating that economy may have bounced back swiftly from the blow of the Omicron variant but outlook for growth is darkening due to Russia-Ukraine war.

Stating that January’s GDP rose by 0.8 percent on the month, after shrinking by 0.2 percent in December and all sectors showed growth, FDF stated that current economic conditions are very fluid, characterised by heightened market volatility and extraordinary uncertainty.


“It’s too early to put a number on global economic losses from the conflict but there’s no doubt the war will deliver a severe economic blow, fuelling inflation and further disrupting supply chains and logistics,” FDF said.

The federation added that increasing gas and oil prices will also impact UK food prices.

“The food and drink industry is not insulated from the shock. Gas and oil price rises mean production costs will increase yet again. These fresh rises come at a time when a year of increasing cost pressures have pushed profit margins in the sector to razor-thin levels.

“Prices of oil and gas shot up to historical records this week as the world is scrambling to decouple itself from Russia. There are no short-term solutions when it comes to gas and only a partial replacement of Russian oil output is possible, provided OPEC agree to it. This means food and drink businesses will be hit with substantial higher operating costs.”

The fact that both Ukraine and Russia are key suppliers is also going to drive up the food prices.

“Ukraine is the UK’s single biggest source of imported sunflower oil, rapeseed oil and maize. Ukraine and Russia are by a distance the two largest producers and exporters of sunflower oil, accounting for nearly 60 percent of global production and 75 percent of exports.

“Wheat prices in the UK will certainly increase, even if only 3 percent of imported wheat comes from Ukraine and Russia. But Ukraine and Russia account for nearly 30 percent of global exports, less wheat available for the world will push prices of wheat up everywhere.”

More for you

A woman walks past a window display promoting an ongoing sale

A woman walks past a window display promoting an ongoing sale, on December 13, 2024 in London, England.

Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images

Retail sales disappoint before Christmas

UK retail sales rose less than expected in the runup to Christmas, according to official data Friday that deals a fresh blow to government hopes of growing the economy.

Separate figures revealed a temporary reprieve for prime minister Keir Starmer, however, as public borrowing fell sharply in November.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sybren Attema, and Betty Eekchaut

Presidents Sybren Attema, FrieslandCampina, and Betty Eekchaut, Milcobel

Yazoo parent FrieslandCampina announces merger with Belgian rival Milcobel

Dutch dairy collective FrieslandCampina has agreed to merge with smaller Belgian rival Milcobel, creating a leading dairy cooperative.

FrieslandCampina, whose brands include Yazoo and Chocomel, said the merger will provide the foundation for a future-oriented organisation that has dairy front and centre for member dairy farmers, employees, consumers, and customers.

Keep ReadingShow less
Retail Shoplifting. Man Stealing In Supermarket
Photo: iStock

Home Office reaffirms commitment to abolish £200 shoplifting threshold

The UK government has pledged stronger measures to combat anti-social behaviour and shoplifting, which it acknowledges as serious crimes that disrupt communities and harm businesses.

Addressing a House of Lords debate on Monday, Home Office minister Lord Hanson detailed plans to abolish the controversial £200 shoplifting threshold and to introduce a new offence for assaults on retail workers.

Keep ReadingShow less
post office store
Photo: Post Office Ltd

Post Office launches wellbeing hub to support postmasters amid rising retail crime

In response to the mounting pressures faced by postmasters across the UK, the Post Office has unveiled a centralised wellbeing platform aimed at simplifying access to support resources.

Post Office said the surge in shoplifting and violent incidents, documented in the 2024 ACS Crime Report, has only intensified the demand for comprehensive support.

Keep ReadingShow less
Independent retailers face mixed outlook for 2025 – Bira
iStock

Independent retailers face mixed outlook for 2025 – Bira

Independent retailers have weathered one of their most challenging years in 2024, with multiple headwinds affecting the sector, according to the British Independent Retailers Association (Bira).

With pressures mounting throughout the year, independent retailers have faced an increasingly difficult trading environment marked by changing consumer behaviour and economic uncertainties.

Keep ReadingShow less