Fruit and vegetable consumption in the UK needs to increase by 86% to meet dietary guidelines, according to the Food Foundation. Expanding domestic horticultural production to match this demand could add £2.3 billion to the economy, create 23,520 jobs, and boost farm profits by 3%. This expansion would require less land than the area currently used for inefficient bioenergy crops, which are subsidised by the government.
To realise this potential, experts call for the government to publish a horticultural strategy aimed at increasing both demand and supply across the UK. A recent report by Green Alliance, the Food Foundation, and the Good Food Institute stresses that the strategy must address barriers such as high energy costs, unfair supply chains, and retailers profiting from unhealthy food sales. Horticulture, already worth over £5 billion annually, remains a highly profitable sector, yet the UK remains far from self-sufficient, with only a third of adults consuming the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables each day.
New analysis estimates that an 86% expansion in horticulture would require about 113,622 hectares of land, less than the 133,000 hectares currently used for bioenergy crops. Shifting land use from bioenergy to horticulture could significantly boost the economy without compromising self-sufficiency in other foods. Increasing UK self-sufficiency in fruit and vegetable production by just 10% could add £3.3 billion to the economy beyond the initial £2.3 billion.
The forthcoming Land Use Framework should play a key role by identifying suitable soils and areas for expanded horticultural production. It must also tackle the challenge of reducing emissions from lowland peatlands, much of which currently supports livestock grazing and cereal crops. Approximately 22% of the UK's vegetables are grown on drained peatlands, but most vegetables—about 80% by value—can be grown on mineral soils with lower emissions.
For crops traditionally grown on peat, like celery, watercress, and lettuce, production could shift to wetter conditions where greenhouse gas emissions are much lower.
To harness the economic and environmental benefits, a national horticultural strategy is urgently needed. This strategy should promote increased production and consumption of fruit and vegetables while working alongside the Land Use Framework to safeguard sensitive ecosystems like peatlands. Investing in domestic horticulture presents a major opportunity for economic growth, healthier diets, and greater agricultural resilience across the UK.
To view the full report, click here.
For more information:
Lydia Collas
Green Alliance
Tel: +44 (0) 7354 848168
Email: [email protected]
www.green-alliance.org.uk