Representing approximately 12,000 farm families across Northern Ireland, the UFU has warned that ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are creating significant uncertainty for the sector, particularly in relation to fertiliser, fuel and energy prices.

UFU President William Irvine said recent global events have once again exposed the vulnerability of food production systems to external shocks.

“Farmers have already experienced the impact of global instability following the war in Ukraine, where sharp increases in fertiliser and energy prices placed enormous pressure on farm businesses,” said Mr Irvine.

The UFU has emphasised that Northern Ireland agriculture is particularly exposed due to its reliance on imported inputs. Fertiliser and fuel represent a significant proportion of on-farm costs across all sectors, including the arable industry, which is especially vulnerable to fluctuations in input prices.

“For our arable farmers, fertiliser and fuel are fundamental to crop production,” Mr Irvine added. “Any sharp increase in costs has an immediate and direct impact on margins, at a time when many in the sector are already under significant financial pressure.”

The Union highlighted that many farming sectors, including beef, dairy and cereals, are currently experiencing a financial squeeze, with rising costs continuing to outpace returns.

“Across the board, farm businesses are dealing with tight margins and ongoing uncertainty,” he said.

“The prospect of further increases in input costs will only add to that pressure, making it even more challenging to maintain viable and sustainable food production.”

The Union also highlighted the knock-on effects of rising energy costs across the wider supply chain, including processing, transport and distribution.

“These pressures do not stop at the farm gate. Higher energy costs will inevitably feed through the entire supply chain, contributing to increased food prices and placing further strain on consumers.”

The UFU warned that many farm businesses are already operating on tight margins while managing ongoing policy changes, environmental requirements and market uncertainty. Further increases in input costs, outside of farmers’ control, could have serious implications for farm viability and the resilience of the local food system.

Concerns have also been raised about the lack of transparency in fertiliser and fuel markets, with farmers often forced to make purchasing decisions without clear or timely pricing information. “This lack of transparency makes it extremely difficult for farmers to plan and manage their businesses effectively,” said Mr Irvine. “It adds unnecessary risk at a time when confidence is already under pressure.”

In response, the UFU has called on the UK Government to take coordinated and proactive action, including improving market transparency, strengthening supply chain oversight and recognising fertiliser and energy as strategically critical inputs for food production. The Union has also urged greater clarity on future policy developments, including the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), and called for close engagement with the Northern Ireland Executive and DAERA to ensure local farming systems are fully considered.

“Food security is national security. A sustainable and profitable farming sector is essential not only for producing high-quality food, but also for supporting rural communities and delivering environmental outcomes. Farmers are committed to playing their part, but they cannot continue to absorb escalating costs and increasing levels of risk without the right support and clear direction from government.”

The UFU has requested direct engagement with government to discuss both the immediate challenges facing the sector and the longer-term actions needed to strengthen the resilience of agriculture in Northern Ireland.

The post UFU writes to Prime Minister warning of impact of rising costs on food production first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

Mash Direct is entering the chilled drinks category with the launch of a new Superfood Smoothie range, inspired by the growing “eat your skincare” trend as consumers increasingly seek nutrition-led products that support everyday wellness.

The range comprises three vegetable-based smoothies, Green Goddess Cabbage Smoothie, Carrot Collagen Boost Smoothie and Beetroot Detox Blend. Each developed to align with key wellness trends while offering a convenient way to increase vegetable intake.

With ‘glow”, ‘collagen’ and ‘detox’ among the most prominent buzzwords in the functional food and drink space, the new range is positioned to tap into consumer demand for products that bridge the gap between nutrition and beauty. ¹ Fortune Business Insights highlights that smoothies are widely perceived as convenient sources of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and protein, making them popular among fitness enthusiasts, working professionals and health-conscious consumers. Growing awareness of lifestyle-related health concerns has accelerated demand for nutrient-dense beverages, with smoothies also supporting plant-based and clean-label diets, further expanding their appeal

The range also reflects the growing role of functional nutrition within the wellness category. Research from ²Innova suggests that fresh, natural, and unprocessed foods are highly valued with nearly half of consumers limiting unhealthy ingredients and opting for functional foods has become increasingly important, with 3 in 4 consumers taking some type of supplement. The Mash Direct smoothie range enables consumers to conveniently incorporate nutrient-rich vegetables into their daily routine, supporting more health-conscious lifestyles without compromising on taste or convenience.

Green Goddess Cabbage Smoothie reflects the continued popularity of green, plant-forward diets, often associated with “glow” and vitality-led positioning. Centred around cabbage, it delivers a fresh, crisp blend designed for everyday consumption.

Carrot Collagen Boost Smoothie leans into beauty and wellness cues, featuring carrot as a key ingredient bursting with vitamin C and nutrients commonly linked to skin health.

Beetroot Detox Blend Smoothie aligns with ongoing consumer interest in detox-inspired products within the wellness category, offering a bold, earthy smoothie with beetroot at its core and a rich colour profile.

Clare Forster, Marketing Manager at Mash Direct said: “Consumers are increasingly looking for products that align with their health and lifestyle goals, particularly those that incorporate familiar wellness cues such as green ingredients, collagen associations and detox positioning. This range allows us to bring vegetables into that space in a way that feels relevant, accessible and rooted in real food.”

The launch reflects Mash Direct’s continued focus on innovation within the vegetable category, expanding into new usage occasions beyond traditional meals and into the chilled drinks fixture, where demand for functional, convenient products continues to grow.

Mash Direct’s Superfood Smoothie range will be available in selected retailers nationwide from 30^th March 2026, RRP £2.90.

The post Mash Direct taps into wellness trends with new Superfood Smoothie Range first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

The plans were submitted to Newry, Mourne and Down District Council in the name of Niall Clarke Oils and relate to the current SPAR store and Circle K filling station, which operates on a 24-hour basis.

The application seeks permission for the redevelopment of the well-known and busy existing petrol filling station to include the demolition of the existing PFS and other site buildings, including the shop, and the erection of a new PFS with associated retail shop, fuel court and canopy and service yard.

In the proposed development, the forecourt would comprise of eight no. fuel pumps, with one HGV pump as existing located parallel to the road to improve manoeuvring.

The shop would be 745.6 sqm (just over 8000 sq ft) comprising a retail unit, hot food area and butchery prep with ancillary stores, offices and staff rooms, WCs and plant rooms. The retail aspect would have a total internal floorspace of 456.6 sqm, the hot food element would be 78.4 sqm and the butchery prep 52.5 sqm.

Overall, there is to be an increase in total floorspace of 106.7sqm (16.5%), with much of the increase comprising sales, circulation space, hot food, ancillary space, and a butchery prep area.

The main purpose of the store would be for fuel and ‘grab-and-go’ goods for travellers on the main network.

A total of 61 parking spaces are proposed in the application, including provision for disabled parking and electric vehicle parking, doubling the current 29 on the site.

The application seeks approval for the demolition of buildings, save for two existing blue cladding units which are to be retained.

Supporting documents in the application state the proposed redevelopment would “not result in any unacceptable impacts on the local character, environmental quality or residential amenity of the wider area and has been appropriated designed by way of a sympathetic bulk, scale and mass and materials”.

The post Planning application seeks redevelopment of popular Newry filling station and store first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.