UK must step up food production to increase food security

The government has announced a Horticultural Growth Plan alongside industry, aimed at bolstering the food system and increasing fruit and veg consumption

The UK is less vulnerable to climate change than some of the countries it relies on for imports of fruit and vegetables, says the latest Food Foundation report, warning that it should grow more produce domestically.

While largely self-sufficient in grains, meat, milk and eggs, a lack of investment in UK horticulture means 40% of all foods, including 47% of vegetables and 80% of fruits, are imported.

However, 90% of the top 20 countries supplying the UK with fruit and vegetables are moderately to severely susceptible to climate change, leaving the UK vulnerable to food price shocks.

Anna Taylor, Executive Director, The Food Foundation, said, “Whilst the UK has been experiencing successive heatwaves and drought across much of the country, it is important to acknowledge that most of the countries we import our staple, healthy foods from are in an even more vulnerable position as we see the impacts of climate change ramp up across the globe.”

This risks driving prices up and puts “nutritious foods further out of reach for many,” said Taylor. “It is important government takes action now to prevent this from happening.”

The report urges the government to help farmers increase domestic production of fruits and vegetables, adapt to climate change, build resilient farms and strengthen local food systems and supply chains. In June, a joint government and industry strategy, the Horticultural Growth Plan, was announced. Led by Defra, it is designed to boost domestic production of fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants while strengthening national food security.

Of the nine most purchased fruits in the UK, apples, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and pears can be grown here. However, the country is under 40% self-sufficient for four of these and could grow more domestically.

The UK could also grow more tomatoes, mushrooms, peppers, cucumbers, onions, broccoli, and green beans, all of which are below 50% self-sufficient, the report found.

Professor Paul Behrens, British Academy Global Professor, Oxford Martin School, University of Oxford suggests the UK could follow the example of the Netherlands, where growers “put around 1,770 hectares under glass for tomatoes alone while the UK's entire protected vegetable area comes to 866 hectares.”

Dutch growers “became a powerhouse,” he said. “This report describes what Britain has lost by never making that choice and, perhaps more importantly, the urgent choices ahead and large opportunities we have by taking action on horticulture.”

“Our society deserves to be able to buy a homegrown five a day… The Horticulture Sector Growth Plan is the ideal initiative to make this happen.”

Ali Capper, Executive Chairman, British Apples and Pears Ltd, added: “We have an excellent growing climate in the UK and can create much greater food security by growing more fruit and vegetables here… Our society deserves to be able to buy a homegrown five a day. The Horticulture Sector Growth Plan is the ideal initiative to make this happen.”

This Plan aims to build a food system fit for the future, ensure affordable, healthy food for all and fair prices for British farmers, and includes plans for controlled environment horticulture, such as growing under glass. Expansion of the horticulture sector could add 3% to farm profits across the country, add billions to the economy, and create over 20,000 jobs.

Additionally, the plan will set long-term statutory targets to increase the national average consumption of fruit and vegetables. The government recommends 41% of people’s diet should be fruit and vegetables, but fewer than one in three adults and less than one in ten 11–18-year-olds currently eat their five a day, according to the Food Foundation.