Vegetable production falls to lowest domestic level in 20 years, according to new report

A new report from the Peas Please initiative has revealed that UK vegetable production fell 12% between 2017 and 2018. What’s more, 2018 saw the lowest level of domestic horticulture production in more than two decades.

The Veg Facts 2020: In Brief report, which was produced by the Food Foundation in partnership with Nourish Scotland, Food Sense Wales and Food NI, also showed that just 52.7% of the veg consumed at home is grown in the UK. It comes as new research from SHEFS consortium revealed that the UK supply of fruit and veg has become increasingly reliant on imports, particularly from countries that are vulnerable to climate change and water scarcity.

The report also shows that, prior to the coronavirus pandemic, Brits were not consuming enough fruit and veg, with 11% of adults and 33% of five-10-year-olds eating less than one portion of vegetables per day.

With the agricultural industry, food businesses and policy makers currently considering ways to rebuild and adapt post-coronavirus and in the lead-up to Brexit, the Food Foundation hopes the report will shine a light on the importance of prioritising horticulture in the UK, particularly as a route to delivering public health.

“Our food system needs to be more resilient to both economic shocks and environmental and climate risks,” Baroness Rosie Boycott said. “It must be less dependent on last-minute deliveries of vital perishable foods from overseas, and with a diversification of food retail options to form more resilient, vibrant local food economies. Our nation’s health also needs to be prioritised. Government should give businesses that are promoting healthy eating a head start, re-build our nation’s horticulture sector, and put in place a much more robust economic safety net so that everyone can afford a diet which protects their health.”