Fresh Direct report highlights foodservice risks and opportunities

Fresh Direct – part of Sysco – has launched its Sourcing for the Future report, developed in partnership with Footprint Intelligence.

The report examines how climate change, geopolitical disruption and rising production costs are transforming global fresh produce supply and creating new challenges for the UK’s foodservice sector.

The report highlights mounting pressures on both domestic and international supply chains, with UK horticulture facing increasing strain from extreme weather, water scarcity, labour shortages and input cost inflation.

Domestic production now only supplies 17% of the fruit and 55% of the vegetables consumed in the UK, as national output has declined by around 600,000 tonnes since 2015.

Despite these challenges, the report identifies innovation and investment that is helping to strengthen long-term resilience across the fresh produce sector.

Advances in plant breeding are delivering disease-resistant and climate-resilient crop varieties, while regenerative farming practices, precision irrigation technology, and protected growing systems are helping producers adapt to more volatile growing environments.

The report points to several examples of innovation already supporting future supply security, including new bean varieties better suited to UK growing conditions, peat-free mushroom substrates and regenerative citrus production programmes. Continued investment in genetic research is also helping improve resilience in key categories including salads, avocados and citrus.

Andy Pembroke, managing director of Fresh Direct, said: “The challenges facing fresh produce supply are becoming more complex, from climate pressures and changing weather patterns to labour availability and rising production costs. However, our report highlights the remarkable innovation taking place across the industry.

“Growers, breeders, suppliers and customers all have a role to play in building a more resilient food system. By investing in long-term partnerships, embracing innovation and supporting sustainable production practices, we can help secure a stronger future for fresh produce and the foodservice sector.”

The report highlights six priorities for strengthening supply chain resilience: working with nature, accelerating varietal development, supporting growers through longer-term sourcing commitments, driving policy reform, improving understanding of supply vulnerabilities, and increasing fruit and vegetable consumption.

Fresh Direct believes collaboration across the supply chain will be critical to delivering these ambitions and ensuring the long-term availability of high quality fresh produce for foodservice operators.