Farming

Fear discounters could affect supply chain

Published

9 years ago

February 11, 2016

Continuing growth: Aldi and Lidl make giant strides

AFTER another year of disruption in the UK grocery sector, the latest supermarket Christmas figures make for interesting reading. The big four retailers – Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons – continued to lose market share to the discounters, Aldi and Lidl.

With the big four reporting massive falls in profits in their half-year results, it’s clear the largest retailers are struggling under this pressure. As a result, a staggering £1bn was wiped off the value of fresh food sales in 2015 (The Grocer Top Products Survey, 2015) as prices were slashed to prevent customers leaving for the discounters.

Although low prices are good news for consumers, the worry for producers is that these ongoing price cuts will be passed onto the supply chain. As retailers focus on meeting consumers’ demands, we have the potential to push the credentials of British products. The NFU will continue to work with all the major retailers in 2016 to ensure that any changes to the supply chain do not impact negatively upon producers.

Data from Kantar Worldpanel suggests Sainsbury’s is recovering slightly, with its share of UK spending now 0.8% higher than at the start of 2015. Likewise, The Cooperative (+1.4%), Waitrose (+1.5%) and the Symbol & Independent sector (Nisa, Londis etc.) (+0.2%) have also seen their market share increase over the last year. Although, it’s worth bearing in mind the whopping 18.5% increase for Lidl and a 13.35% increase for Aldi. In fact, Aldi and Lidl now account for over 10% of UK grocery spending.

It’s almost certain Aldi and Lidl will continue to grow rapidly throughout 2016, but the precise effect on the other retailers is harder to predict. An unexpectedly strong Christmas performance from Tesco and Morrisons complicates things. Many retailers’ improved sales have been down to heavy discounting to entice Christmas shoppers. Therefore, only their year-end profits will show the true cost of this discounting.

Overall, it’s likely 2016 will see further shelf-edge price cuts from the big four alongside new store formats, as supermarkets try to differentiate themselves. Premium retailers like Waitrose and M&S remained profitable during 2015 – although with Aldi and Lidl increasingly targeting wealthier customers – the pressure will be on to up their game. M&S food produced their highest Christmas sales ever, but for Waitrose, Christmas sales were surprisingly down 1.4% on last year.

Crime

Farmer cleared of restraining order breach at Haverfordwest court

Published

3 days ago

January 23, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A PEMBROKESHIRE man has been found not guilty of breaching a restraining order after being accused of referencing a protected individual in a Facebook post.

Philip Stoddart, 58, of Monkhill Farm, St Ishmaels, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Jan 20) to face the charge. The prosecution, led by Ann Griffiths on behalf of the crown, alleged that between December 4 and December 13, 2023, Stoddart made a Facebook post that, by inference, referred to a person he was prohibited from contacting under a restraining order imposed by Swansea Crown Court on April 16, 2021.

The restraining order, issued under Section 360 of the Sentencing Act 2020, barred Stoddart from making any form of contact with her.

Prosecutors argued that the Facebook post constituted a breach of the order, contrary to Section 363 of the same act.

Stoddart denied the allegations and entered a not guilty plea during a prior hearing on October 1, 2024.

Magistrates Professor N. Negus, Mr. J. Steadman, and Mrs. J. Morris presided over the trial, which concluded on Monday.

After reviewing the evidence, the bench found Stoddart not guilty, dismissing the case.

The dismissal brings to a close legal proceedings that had been ongoing for over a year.

Farming

Get up to £5,000 for on-farm trials in Wales

Published

3 days ago

January 23, 2025

Tom Sinclair

FARMERS in Wales are being called to apply for the next round of funding for on-farm trials.

The Farming Connect initiative, which has funded projects such as growing lucerne in Brecon, is inviting applications for the Try Out Fund.

The new application window opens on January 27, 2025, and will run until February 17.

Successful applicants will be awarded up to £5,000 to help fund trials that experiment with new ideas on their farms.

The last round of funding supported several projects, including integrated pest management at a pick-your-own strawberry enterprise.

Menna Williams, the Farming Connect project lead, said: “Farming Connect has developed the Try Out Fund to address specific local problems or opportunities with the aim of improving efficiencies and profitability within agricultural businesses whilst protecting the environment.”

She added: “There are many changes on the horizon for agriculture, and now is a great time for farm businesses to explore an idea that could benefit them, allowing farms to tackle ‘real’ problems or check if a research idea works in practice.”

The fund is open to individuals or groups of up to four farmers and/or growers in Wales who have identified a local or specific problem or opportunity.

Ms Williams said: “Because these ideas are initiated by farmers themselves, they are really passionate about them, giving them 100 per cent effort right from the start.”

Projects should focus on enhancing production efficiencies and profitability while ensuring environmental protection through adherence to sustainable land management principles.

A guidance handbook is accessible on the Farming Connect website, providing support for farmers in outlining their projects and completing the application process.

To apply, individuals must be registered with Farming Connect and capable of finishing their projects by January 2026.

Ms Williams explained: “Funding can be used for technical assistance, sampling, testing and other reasonable expenses such as those relating to short-term hire of specialist equipment or facilities directly relating to the project.”

The findings will be shared with other producers in Wales by collaborating with a Farming Connect team member.

Interested parties can apply on the Farming Connect website.

To receive the link or get further information, contact [email protected].

Farming

Funding window to re-open for on-farm trials in Wales

Published

3 days ago

January 23, 2025

Tom Sinclair

WITH Farming Connect-funded trials ranging from growing lucerne in Brecon to establishing sunflowers as a companion crop with maize, farmers are being invited to apply for the next round of funding from the initiative that brought these projects to life.

The new application window for the Try Out Fund opens on 27January2025 and will run until 17 February. Successful applicants will be awarded up to £5,000 to help fund on-farm trials that experiment with new ideas. The last round of funding saw farmers supported for several projects including integrated pest management at pick your own strawberry enterprise.

Project lead Menna Williams of Farming Connect said the aim is for farmers to compare different treatments or management systems – the project is not intended to fund new equipment she stressed.

“Farming Connect has developed the Try-Out Fund to address specific local problems or opportunities with the aim of improving efficiencies and profitability within agricultural businesses whilst protecting the environment,’’ she said. “There are many changes on the horizon for agriculture, and now is a great time for farm businesses to explore an idea that could benefit them, allowing farms to tackle ‘real’ problems or check if a research idea works in practice.’’

The fund is open to individuals or groups of up to four farmers and/or growers in Wales who have identified a local or specific problem or opportunity.

“Because these ideas are initiated by farmers themselves, they are really passionate about them, giving them 100% effort right from the start,’’ said Ms Williams.

Suitable projects must aim to improve production efficiencies and profitability whilst protecting the environment by aligning with sustainable land management outcomes. A guidance handbook is available on the Farming Connect website to help farmers scope their project and complete the application form.

Applicants must be registered with Farming Connect and be able to complete their projects by January 2026.