UF News
At United Fresh, we’re passionate about understanding the journey our produce takes before it reaches our customers’ kitchens. That’s why members of our team recently spent time with our supply partners Worcester Produce at their farm in Evesham, gaining a first-hand insight into the care, expertise and dedication behind this season’s fruit harvest.
Walking through the orchards and speaking directly with the people growing the produce was a valuable opportunity to deepen our understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing British growers this summer. From managing the effects of prolonged warm weather to maintaining exceptional quality throughout the season, the visit reinforced the importance of the close relationships we build across our supply network.
Experiences like these help ensure we’re not only sourcing the very best seasonal produce but also bringing our customers the knowledge and market insight that supports informed menu planning throughout the year.
August Market Information
August is one of the most rewarding months in the culinary calendar, with British fields, orchards and coastlines delivering an abundance of exceptional seasonal ingredients. Yet this year, the prolonged spell of hot, dry weather is beginning to shape the market in ways that chefs and buyers are already starting to feel.
Successive heatwaves across the UK and Europe have created increasingly challenging growing conditions. Extended periods of high temperatures and limited rainfall have added pressure on growers, reducing yields and shortening the shelf life of some crops.
While many seasonal favourites continue to perform well, flexibility remains key, allowing chefs to embrace what’s thriving while adapting where nature has presented challenges.
Fresh Produce:
August is a celebration of British produce at its finest. Cherries, strawberries, raspberries and blueberries continue to headline the fruit season, while Victoria plums begin to make their much-anticipated arrival later in the month. In the fields, sweetcorn, beetroot, carrots, peas and radishes are all enjoying exceptional flavour, complemented by coastal samphire and a wide selection of seasonal leaves, including Little Gem, Lollo Rosso, Oakleaf, Iceberg, radicchio and baby spinach.
Mediterranean stone fruit is equally deserving of attention. Italian white peaches and French yellow nectarines are arriving with exceptional sweetness and flavour, while Padrón peppers continue to earn their place on summer menus as a versatile sharing dish. For chefs looking to add colour to the plate, British purple cauliflower provides a striking seasonal alternative.
While the season continues to deliver exceptional quality, prolonged heat and limited rainfall are beginning to influence availability across several British crops. Supplies of broccoli, cauliflower, Tenderstem broccoli and salad crops remain under pressure, with growers also reporting challenges across spinach, baby leaf salads, selected herbs and delicate micro cresses. Higher temperatures are accelerating crop maturity, reducing shelf life and creating greater natural variation in size, colour and appearance. Flexibility will be key over the coming weeks, but there is still plenty to celebrate across the British season.
British berry growers have performed remarkably well throughout the summer, although continued high temperatures are beginning to place some pressure on availability and quality, particularly from greenhouse-grown crops. Our buying team continues to monitor the situation closely as the season progresses.
One area providing welcome stability is the Dutch glasshouse sector. Excellent supplies of tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers continue to deliver reliable quality and availability despite the challenges facing many UK-grown crops.
Global lime supplies remain under severe pressure following significant disruption to Brazilian production. Availability across Europe has tightened considerably, forcing importers to increase air freight volumes to maintain supply. As a result, lime prices have reached record highs and remain one of the most volatile categories in the fresh produce market this summer.
Dairy:
The dairy market is beginning to show signs of upward movement ahead of autumn.
An increase in the milk price paid to farmers is expected to feed through into higher wholesale dairy prices over the coming months. At the same time, rising packaging costs, particularly plastics, alongside increased global shipping costs following recent disruption in the Middle East, continue to place additional pressure on manufacturers.
Many producers are expected to introduce price increases from September. Our procurement team is working closely with suppliers to minimise the impact wherever possible while continuing to deliver the best value for our customers.
Seafood:
Late summer presents some excellent opportunities across the seafood market, with several species offering outstanding quality and value as chefs make the most of the season.
Flatfish are a standout choice this month. Plaice, lemon sole, brill and megrim are all in excellent condition, with improved yields following the spawning season. Megrim, often overlooked, offers delicate, sweet flesh and exceptional value, making it a superb addition to seasonal specials.
After a turbulent start to the year, the outlook for salmon has settled. Increased global supply and softer export demand have helped keep prices more stable than anticipated, giving operators greater confidence in one of hospitality’s most versatile menu staples.
Whole sea bass and gilthead bream continue to perform well through the summer, with stable supplies despite warmer sea temperatures. Their versatility and Mediterranean character make them a natural fit for late summer menus, whether simply grilled or roasted with seasonal vegetables.
As the season draws towards autumn, it’s also worth remembering that mussels remain at their poorest quality during the warmer months. With spawning season still underway, shelf life and meat content are reduced, making them a species best revisited once cooler waters return in September.
Butchery:
For many chefs, August signals one of the most eagerly anticipated dates in the culinary calendar: The Glorious Twelfth. Marking the opening of the grouse season, it heralds the return of one of Britain’s most iconic game birds and the beginning of the autumn game season.
Renowned for its deep, distinctive flavour and rich red meat, grouse has long been regarded as the pinnacle of feathered game. Young birds lend themselves beautifully to roasting and serving simply with seasonal vegetables, while older birds develop even greater depth when slow-cooked in rich braises or classic game dishes. As restaurants begin to transition from light summer menus towards the warmer flavours of autumn, grouse offers the perfect bridge between the seasons.
With demand from premium restaurants increasing as the season gets underway, early planning is recommended to secure availability. Whether featured as a seasonal special or the centrepiece of an autumn tasting menu, grouse remains one of the finest ways to celebrate Britain’s wild larder.
Our team is always here for any questions or queries you may have about any of the information in this report.
Email us here: thehub@unitedfresh.co.uk
Or call us: 01789 339 106
Seasonality Information
We’ve created a quick and easy visual guide to understanding what products are in season each month!
Disclaimer – This market report is here to guide you, based on the knowledge and experience of our experienced buyers. However, many factors can still influence the market, including unforeseen extreme weather, seasonal changes, supply and demand and climate change impacts.
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