UF News
This month, we’re delighted to share that United Fresh has successfully secured a place on the TUCO Framework, opening the door to exciting new opportunities across the education catering sector.
TUCO (The University Caterers Organisation) supports catering and procurement teams across the education sector, making this an exciting opportunity to introduce our unique supply model to more kitchens across the country.
For us, securing a place on the framework is about much more than reaching new customers. It’s a reflection of the relationships we’ve built with our trusted local suppliers, the strength of our nationwide network and the hard work that goes into delivering quality, consistency and great service every day.
We’re looking forward to building new partnerships, supporting more education catering teams and showing what makes the United Fresh approach a little different.
November Market Information
November brings a noticeable change in the kitchen. The last traces of autumn are giving way to the heartier flavours of winter, with British roots, brassicas and orchard fruit taking centre stage as chefs begin turning their attention towards Christmas menus.
Across the fresh produce market, the winter growing season is becoming established, bringing a gradual shift towards European supply as British crops finish. Potatoes remain an area to watch, particularly larger baking varieties, although there is encouraging news for festive favourites such as Chantenay carrots and parsnips.
Elsewhere, dairy prices are showing welcome signs of stability after several challenging months, while the seafood market presents a more mixed picture. Traditional whitefish remains expensive, but there are some interesting alternatives worth exploring as kitchens prepare for the busiest weeks of the year.
Dairy:
After several months of volatility, the dairy market is finally showing signs of settling as we approach Christmas.
Liquid milk prices appear to be stabilising, with no further increases currently anticipated until at least the new year. This will come as welcome news for kitchens heading into one of the busiest periods of the calendar, particularly following the sustained upward pressure experienced throughout the summer and autumn.
The only notable movement this month has been a slight increase in bulk cream pricing. There may, however, be some more encouraging news for butter, with our buying team working closely with supply partners to explore the possibility of modest price reductions.
While the market will continue to be monitored closely, the outlook for dairy is considerably more settled than it has been in recent months.
Seafood:
November brings a mixed picture across the seafood market, with traditional whitefish continuing to face supply pressure while some lesser-known species offer exciting opportunities for chefs.
Cod and haddock remain particularly challenging. The start of the new Icelandic fishing season would normally bring some welcome relief to whitefish pricing, but a reported 20% reduction in Icelandic quotas has restricted the volumes reaching the market. The anticipated price easing has yet to materialise, with cod expected to remain expensive through to January.
One alternative particularly worth exploring is Hoki. Our seafood team has recently brought in a supply of skinless, boneless Hoki loins, offering a versatile alternative to traditional cod and haddock. In a recent cook-off, Hoki came out on top in the tasting panel, even against those more familiar whitefish favourites. With its delicate flavour and firm, flaky flesh, it is a fish well worth considering for menus where quality, consistency and value all matter.
The picture is a little different across farmed species. Sea bass availability has been affected by exceptionally high summer sea temperatures in Turkey, which led to some fish being harvested earlier than planned. As a result, prices have remained relatively stable rather than falling, with larger fish expected to remain in tighter supply until spring.
ChalkStream trout has also experienced upward price movement, with rising feed, transport and packaging costs being passed through by producers. Our buying team has worked to absorb some of these increases where possible, although some additional cost pressure remains.
Meanwhile, salmon prices have been gradually increasing since their August lows. Despite this movement, our seafood team has managed purchasing carefully and continues to champion the quality of fish from Sjór in Northern Norway, where the focus remains on sourcing an exceptional product rather than simply following the wider commodity market.
As festive menus begin to take shape, November offers a good opportunity to look beyond the familiar favourites, particularly where alternatives such as Hoki can deliver excellent results on the plate without the same pressure on pricing.
Fresh Produce:
November is when British winter produce really begins to find its feet. Parsnips, Brussels sprouts, kale and cavolo nero are all coming into their own, bringing the earthy, robust flavours that work so beautifully in warming soups, slow-cooked dishes and traditional Sunday roasts.
There is also something rather clever happening beneath the surface. As temperatures fall, these vegetables respond to the cold by converting some of their stored starches into sugars, developing a noticeably sweeter flavour after a good frost. It’s why a parsnip harvested in October can taste quite different from one lifted in December. For now, their earthier character lends itself beautifully to roasting and hearty winter dishes, but the sweetest crops are still to come. We’ll be keeping an eye on the first proper frosts and letting you know when the change arrives.
The winter salad season is now becoming established, with some British brassicas gradually giving way to imported alternatives. As temperatures continue to fall, UK cauliflower and broccoli will begin to finish, with supply transitioning towards Spanish cauliflower and French broccoli. Soft fruit is also increasingly travelling from further afield to maintain availability throughout the colder months.
The British strawberry season has finally drawn to a close, with Dutch-grown fruit stepping in to fill the gap. While strawberries remain available, maintaining the flavour and texture associated with peak-season British fruit can become more challenging at this time of year. Our team continues to work closely with growers and supply partners to source the best possible quality as the season progresses.
For something altogether more seasonal, British apples remain in good supply. Discovery, Cox and the often-underrated Russet all offer something distinctive, whether served simply, baked into desserts or paired with savoury ingredients. Russets are particularly deserving of a place on autumn menus, with their characteristically nutty flavour making them a wonderful partner for mature cheeses, pork and game.
Potatoes remain one of the market’s more challenging lines, with baking varieties in particular continuing to command firmer prices. Forward planning remains important as festive demand builds. There is, however, encouraging news for Christmas vegetable preparations, with British Chantenay carrots and parsnips, alongside Scottish carrots, all looking in good shape as we approach December.
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.
Don’t stop there!
Read some of our other articles here:
November Market Report 2026
Our November market report covering current foodservice supply chain issues, seasonality, and predictions.
October Market Report 2026
Our October market report covering current foodservice supply chain issues, seasonality, and predictions.
September Market Report 2026
Our September market report covering current foodservice supply chain issues, seasonality, and predictions.
