After a long struggle over planning permission, the supermarket chain Aldi have finally been given the go-ahead to open a new store in Newbury, a move that could create a number of new food jobs for the area.

Aldi's original planning applications were initially refused by Berkshire Council planning officers, because they believed the supermarket company weren't offering enough of a financial contribution to efforts to minimise the harm the new development would do the region's roads. However, this controversial decision has now been marked down as a mistake, with council representatives saying that the application should have come before committee councillors as well as planning officers. Aldi were persuaded to resubmit the planning application, and Berkshire Council have now approved it.

The new 975-metre-square store will be located at the site of the former Renault dealership on London Road, and is expected to not only provide the area with a high-quality, low-cost supermarket, but also create a considerable number of new food jobs.

Supermarkets and other food retailers are increasingly becoming some of the best places to get food jobs, whether you have existing experience in food retail and can apply for a managerial position or are a graduate looking to take advantage of the many graduate schemes and apprenticeships offered by supermarkets such as Aldi.

Despite encouraging news that an official and powerful new watchdog was being set up to help settle disputes between farmers and supermarkets, the Government have now announced that the appointment of an ombudsman will be on hold until after the general election. This has come as frustrating news to many, leading to accusations that labour ministers are 'dithering' over the issue.

The need to establish an official ombudsman was highlighted by the Competition Commission back in 2008, and it was expected that there would be an appointment by now, yet the Government have only offered a further consolation on the role and powers of the watchdog when appointed. The ombudsman will have the power to:

• Hear producer complaints over allegations of abuse from supermarkets and other retailers
• Establish and enforce a code of practise between producers and retailers, and between disputing parties
• To prevent retailers from passing excessive, sudden costs down to suppliers

These basic responsibilities are expected to be in place, but the consultation could see changes and new responsibilities added during the planned consultation, which will see everyone including MP's, farmers, supermarket bosses and union representatives weighing in with their opinions. One thing is for certain however, the eventual appointment of an ombudsman will make working relations easier for those in both production and retail food jobs.

According to the Enterprise Minister for Northern Ireland, Arlene Foster, Irish food companies seem to be beating the recession through increased sales outside of the country. Northern Ireland is a major supplier of food and drink to Britain, the Irish Republic and even farther afield, and both sales and employment have increased due to recent success in output sales figures.

Ms Foster has released figures demonstrating that output has increased by 10% and employment by 2.9%, providing a big boost to those looking for food jobs. Northern Ireland already employs over 19,000 people in food jobs, and this figure is set to rise if the current market success is sustained.

Other encouraging facts and figures:

• At the last count, the food industry in Northern Ireland was worth £3 billion a year
• £600 million worth of products were sold to non-UK markets
• The Northern Ireland food and drink industry provided 15% of all total products exported from the country
• The proportion of goods sold outside of Northern Ireland has risen to more than 60%

These impressive figures are proof of the industry's success, which the Enterprise Minister believes can be attributed to a number of factors, notably, the strong partnership between farmers and producers. The minister also praised the originality and quality of exported products, and the professionalism, focus and dedication to excellent customer service shown by food and drink companies, which she also believes are a large part of the industry's success.

Analysts at investment company Brewin Dolphin are predicting a bright future for the British sugar industry, as stabilising prices have boosted European sugar exports. This comes as good news for the food industry as a whole, which has seen growth and excellent sales performance recently even despite the current global economic industry, as well as for those in food jobs.

There has been significant upheaval in the European sugar industry in the last few years, mainly due to the restructuring of the EU Sugar Regime. Now this has ended, prices have stabilised. What's more, due to rocketing prices in the rest of the world, this means that the potential for export of British sugar products has greatly increased, leaving the market wide open for growth and development.

According to Brewin Dolphin, the food processing company Associated British Foods (ABF) stands to profit the most from the current situation, and it is subsequently predicted that sales figures and expansion opportunities for the ABF will improve dramatically in the next two to four years.

As for the recent and controversial Kraft takeover of Cadbury, analysts are predicting that there will a positive outcome for the British sugar and confectionery market. This is because former Cadbury investors can now and put their cash into other companies such as ABF and Tate & Lyle, who are expected to take full advantage of these stabilising sugar prices.

Despite extremely worrying reports and speculation that US company Kraft Foods would cut thousands of food jobs once the Cadbury takeover deal was complete, it has now been revealed that Kraft wants to create more UK food jobs in the future. After re-assessing the situation at Cadbury, representatives from the US food giant have reportedly said that in the medium to long-term, they are actually planning to create more jobs for workers in the UK.

As Kraft's operational strategies are very different to those of Cadbury, these new jobs are expected to be created in the fields of marketing and investment in order to enact a smooth transition. However, if Kraft are to believed as to their intentions for the British company, there may be opportunities for skilled food workers in other fields as Kraft expands into new ventures rather than the 'asset stripping' that many believed would happen as a consequence of the acquisition.

Some commentators believe that Kraft may be simply providing both the government and the press with this reassurance in order to improve opinion of the multi-million pound takeover deal. If created, these new food jobs will provide a definite boost to the UK employment market and the economy, so all fingers are crossed that Kraft follow through on their promises.

Recent statistics have revealed that the top UK market performers of 2009 were fast-food giants McDonald's, demonstrating that the food and drink industry really is leading the way when it comes to beating the recession.

McDonald's managed to achieve record breaking sales last year, with figures for like-for-like sales coming in at 11% more than the previous year. They also managed to attract 7.5% more customers. McDonald's bosses believe 2009 was so successful for the company due to consumers need for good food at recession-busting value prices. This is shown in the popularity of particular products at McDonalds, with more customers preferring the 'saver menu' as well as the 'little tasters' value offer.

Expansion and new food jobs
Due to last year's resounding success, which saw the company create approximately 6,000 new food jobs due to the opening of new outlets, McDonald's are reportedly planning even more expansion for 2010. Ten to fifteen new outlets are currently in the pipeline, and will mean there will be a further 5,000 food job opportunities opening up.

McDonald's UK not only managed to outperform all other UK retailers, but they also managed to outdo the global McDonald's group. However, overall group income is currently up 6% from last year.

Tesco, one of the UK's largest and most successful supermarket chains, has been forced to revise and resubmit plans for a new store in Hadleigh in Suffolk, after the previous proposals were criticised for being too ambitious. Consequently, Tesco store planners have scaled down the size of the proposed new store by approximately one sixth of its original size, and have resubmitted a planning application to Babergh District Council.

Even at the scaled-down size, the new Tesco is expected to create around 200 new food jobs for the area, as well as attract a wealth of new shoppers to historic Suffolk town of Hadleigh. Despite criticism that the site for the new store is too close to the river, will cause traffic flow problems and damage trade in the high street, Tesco has been supported in its plans by a loyal group of residents, calling themselves 'Hadleigh's Tesco Supporters Group'. These Hadleigh residents have been campaigning for a Tesco to open in their town for over ten years, and it seems likely they will finally get their wish.

Tesco and other supermarket giants such as Asda, Aldi, Sainsbury's and Co-operative Food, have all been opening a number of new stores recently, which is a positive sign that the food industry is in good health and is continuing to expand. Being some of the top graduate employers in the UK, these major companies, at this highly successful time, are looking like an increasingly good prospect for food job hunters looking for career progression and job security.

At the National Farmers' Union in London last week, the chief executive of the Assured Food Standards (AFS) organisation, David Clarke, announced new scheme aiming to harmonise food standards in the UK.

The scheme, entitled 'Red Tractor Farm Assurance' is designed to help those in processing and manufacturing food jobs to navigate farm standards more easily, and will eventually involve the merging of other farm assurance logos into one, the Red Tractor logo.

Mr Clarke, explaining how the scheme will benefit both manufacturers and retailers, said that he believes the new scheme will ensure consistency throughout all sectors. Although the details of the standards themselves will remain the same for the most part, it is the universal use of common terminology that Mr Clarke is focusing on. As for previous farm assurance schemes, these will all be gradually renamed to be part of the unified Red Tractor family; the Assured Dairy Farms Scheme will now become Red Tractor Farm Assurance - Dairy, and so on.

The new scheme will start to come into effect immediately, with farmers and those in other relevant food jobs being issued with a manual by February, which will explain how they can meet industry standards in time for official inspections in April.

With all of the top supermarkets battling it out to perform well and achieve the highest sales figures over the previous Christmas period, there has been much speculation over who has come out on top. Recent reports have measured supermarket success by comparing growth in sales figures, and it seems that luxury supermarket Waitrose has emerged as the leader of the pack.

New figures have revealed that Waitrose, part of the John Lewis family, achieved a 17.6 per cent growth in sales over the Christmas period, its biggest sales figures and most improved market share since 2005. Waitrose's success has been attributed to the opening of new stores, a move which also created hundreds of new food jobs, as well as the quality of their products.

After a bumper Christmas for retailers all round, it seems evident that customers have recovered from the recession to the extent that they are starting to choose quality over value again, especially when it comes to stocking up for Christmas.

Growth in the sales figures of other supermarkets are currently the following:

• Morrisons - 12. 8 per cent
• Sainsbury's - 8.6 per cent
• Tesco - 8 per cent
• Asda - 5.9 per cent
• The Co-op - 4.8 per cent

These figures are certainly good news for retailers, and also for the economy, but it is also beneficial for food job hunters as these major companies will be looking to expand with new stores and product ranged if growth in sales figures continues.

Sainsbury's, one of the UK's largest supermarket chains, is reportedly planning to open two new mini supermarkets in Bristol city centre. The stores are classified as 'local' branches, similar to the Tesco Metro-style stores. In addition to an existing Sainsbury's Local branch in Horfield in the area, two new stores will be opened next week in Broadmead and Broad Quay, creating a total of 61 new food jobs.

The two new stores will both have the following:

• A selection of everyday food items, fresh food and bakery products, and a small section of non-food items.
• 5,000 square foot of combined sales space
• Three cash machines and three self-scan checkouts
• A 'Bag for Life' scheme in operation to help customers recycle

These new Sainsbury's stores are expected to not only provide those living in the Bristol city centre area with a more convenient source for everyday items, but it will also boost the area's job market. Sainsbury's is a brilliant graduate employer, offering a wide range of food jobs in many areas of food retail. It may be a good time to get on board.