UF News
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September Market Information
September is a month of transition. The last flavours of summer are still with us, but British apples, pears, squash, leeks and brassicas are beginning to take centre stage as kitchens start to look towards autumn.
This seasonal shift follows an exceptionally hot and dry summer, and while there is plenty of outstanding produce to celebrate, the effects of the challenging growing conditions are still being felt. Potatoes are one of the clearest examples, with larger sizes becoming increasingly difficult to source, while the British salad season is beginning to wind down and attention gradually turns towards European supply.
For chefs, September offers the best of both worlds. It’s a chance to enjoy the final berries, salads and stone fruit of summer while welcoming the deeper, earthier flavours that signal the arrival of a new season.
Dairy:
The dairy market continues to show upward movement as we head into autumn, with further increases expected from October.
Dairy producers have announced additional increases in the farmgate milk price paid to farmers, largely to provide support following the challenging summer conditions. These increases are expected to gradually filter through into wholesale pricing, with our buying team continuing to work closely with suppliers and monitor the market as October approaches.
Fresh Produce:
September brings some of the first unmistakable signs of autumn to the kitchen. British Cox and Gala apples are coming into their own, joined by Conference pears, Victoria plums, Marjorie’s Seedling plums and aromatic quince. In the fields, beetroot, carrots, kale, leeks, Savoy cabbage and squash bring a shift towards the deeper, earthier flavours that lend themselves so naturally to roasting, braising and the warmer dishes beginning to return to menus.
There is still time to enjoy the last of the British summer. Blackberries, blueberries and raspberries are approaching the end of their season, making September a good opportunity to use the final crops while they’re still available. The same seasonal transition is happening across salads, with Lollo Rosso, Oakleaf and whole-head lettuce beginning to finish, while Cos and heritage tomatoes continue to offer plenty of late-summer appeal.
As the UK growing season winds down, British broccoli, cauliflower and salad production will gradually finish, with tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce and other salad lines transitioning towards Spanish supply for the winter. This year’s move south will be watched particularly closely. Spain has also experienced significant drought and difficult growing conditions, creating some early uncertainty around availability, quality and pricing as its season develops.
Further south, figs, grapes, melons and nectarines provide a final taste of the European summer. Figs are particularly worth making the most of in September, pairing beautifully with soft cheeses, cured meats, honey and nuts, or simply allowed to take centre stage on late-summer desserts.
One product requiring considerably more attention is the humble potato. Prolonged dry weather across the UK has significantly affected the new crop, with larger-sized potatoes proving particularly difficult to source. Reduced availability continues to put upward pressure on pricing, and current expectations are that these challenges could remain with us towards the New Year. Our buying team is exploring alternative origins to provide greater consistency and continuity wherever possible.
We’ve taken a deeper look at why Britain’s potatoes are feeling the effects of this summer’s weather, and what it could mean for foodservice as the main harvest progresses.
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:
September Market Report 2026
Our September market report covering current foodservice supply chain issues, seasonality, and predictions.
British potatoes are feeling the heat!
Drought and extreme heat are putting the 2026 UK potato crop under pressure, but what does this mean for yields, quality and foodservice supply? We explore what’s happening and why.
August Market Report 2026
Our August market report covering current foodservice supply chain issues, seasonality, and predictions.
