Food Foundation has sounded the alarm over supply risks and price shocks as about 40 per cent of Britain’s food is imported.
Warning over apples, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, pears in UK supermarkets
UK shoppers buying fruit and veg have been warned the country is relying on heat-stressed countries for fruit and veg it could grow itself. The Food Foundation has sounded the alarm over supply risks and price shocks as about 40 per cent of Britain’s food is imported.
About 40% of its food is imported – including 80% of its fruit and 47% of its vegetables – one of the highest rates of reliance on imported fruit in Europe
Of the top 20 countries the UK imports fruit and vegetables from most, 18 (90%) are moderately to severely vulnerable to climate change. Of the UK’s nine most purchased fruits five can be grown in the UK (apples, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, pears) — but we remain under 40% self-sufficient for four of those and could be growing more at home.
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Anna Taylor, executive director at the Food Foundation, said: “There is a risk [the impacts of climate breakdown] will drive up prices in the future, putting nutritious foods further out of reach for many, so it is important government takes action now to prevent this.”
Ali Capper, who runs an apple and hops farm in Worcestershire and chairs the British Apples and Pears trade body, said its members wanted to grow more fruit.
Capper said: “To do so they need the certainty that good government policy can deliver – certainty on continued and increased access to the seasonal workers scheme; water for food; an agile planning regulation; competitively priced energy.”
Ali went on: “Growers also need market certainty – long-term agreements and profitable returns.”
The Food Foundation says we could grow more of our top vegetables in the UK (e.g. tomatoes, mushrooms, peppers, cucumbers, onions, broccoli, and green beans) but only carrots reach high self-sufficiency (94%); the rest are all below 50%.
There is currently a mismatch between UK domestic food production and dietary goals.
The Food Foundation is calling on government to support farmers to grow more fruit and vegetables domestically and increase consumption, whilst also enabling climate adaptation, building resilience on farms and strengthening local food systems and supply chains.
