NEWS
With new restaurants opening, exciting product launches and equipment collaborations kicking off 2026, we have the latest, hot off the press!
Foodservice price inflation accelerates
Food & drink prices in the hospitality sector rose by 1.1% in December 2025, according to the Foodservice Price Index from Prestige Purchasing and NIQ, powered by CGA intelligence. This month-on-month movement marks a significant acceleration in inflation to close the year. It was driven by high demand for many items in the run-up
to Christmas and supply-side constraints. The Index recorded steep price increases in several high-volume categories. They included milk, cheese & eggs, at +1.9%, as domestic pressures intensified despite continued softening in global dairy commodity markets. Disruptions related to avian flu reinforced volatility in egg supply chains, compounding costs. Inflationary momentum also remained critically high in coffee, tea & cocoa. Coffee markets traded near multi-year peaks due to adverse weather in Brazil and Vietnam, while cocoa prices were close to record levels, due to weak West African harvests and tight inventories. In meat & poultry, the centrepiece category of the festive period, inflation accelerated to +1.5%, as strong seasonal
demand collided with structural challenges. Beef traded at historically strong levels due to tight domestic availability, while poultry markets were also disrupted by avian flu. Prices also rose in categories including oils & fats and sugar, jam, syrups & chocolate, highlighting a broad-based inflationary environment where domestic energy, labour and logistics costs are limiting the pass-through of any softening in global commodities. Shaun Allen, CEO of Prestige Purchasing, said: “The 1.1% month-onmonth surge in December was a stark reminder of the volatility that continues to plague the supply chain. While global indices for sugar and vegetable oils showed signs of easing in 2025, the reality for UK operators was very different.”
Pacific West unveils Mediterranean Collection Renowned for its trend-driven seafood innovation, Pacific West has expanded its portfolio with the 2026 Mediterranean Collection. These four new products are designed to bring delicious creativity to British menus. They have been developed specifically for pub and restaurant groups, and independent operators looking to capture the ‘forever trend’ of Mediterranean dining, offering menu flexibility. Truffle Prawns: Tapping into the popularity of truffle across retail and premium dining, these are infused with an earthy, luxurious aroma and finished in a signature crisp coating. ● Squid Arrosticini Skewers: Inspired by the traditional Abruzzese style of uniform, delicate skewers, these bring an artisan aesthetic to the plate with zero kitchen prep. ● Fish Stuffed Olives: An umami-rich innovation that merges premium Mediterranean olives with a succulent fish centre and a crisp, golden coating. ● Breaded Anchovy Fillets: A refined take on a coastal classic. A bold, savoury flavour profile with a signature crunch, perfect as a premium alternative to standard seafood bites. ●
Featured as luxury bar snacks, tapas-style sharing plates, elegant starters or premium toppers for salads and pastas, these products deliver a fabulous guest experience with ease. “Pacific West has always been synonymous with quality and innovation in the seafood sector,” said managing director, Martin Finegan. “For 2026, we wanted to bring that same level of expertise and our signature coatings but with a Mediterranean focus. This range is about giving chefs the creative freedom to update their menus with high-impact, low-labour solutions that fit perfectly into the modern British dining landscape.” Find out more at pacificwestfoods.co.uk.
With efficiency and margin protection paramount, this collection is engineered to perform. Cooked from frozen, it allows chefs to react instantly to demand, without the risks of raw prep, spoilage or high labour costs.
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13/02/2026 11:13