British Growers CEO John Walgate makes the case for the country’s horticulture crop associations to continue working together more closely as cost pressures build
When I joined the British Growers Association, I thought the brief was relatively straightforward. We grow and eat more fruit and vegetables, it means we’re healthier (less dependent on the NHS), and the country is more food-secure (against global shocks and climate change). Easy, right?
I quickly came to learn that it might be right, but it’s not easy! In fact, in my relatively short time it’s got harder. Higher labour and energy costs, the end of the Fruit and Vegetable Aid Scheme (while it continues in the EU), and concern over the EU reset. I could go on.
It’s confusing when every event I go to highlights the importance of the fresh produce sector, but nothing positive ever seems to happen. No wonder there is so much hope resting on Defra’s 2026 Horticulture Sector Growth Plan.
One thing I do think is starting to work better is collaboration. Maybe this is because of adversity, but whatever the cause, I believe it is for the better of the sector. Having come from an industry where trade association collaboration worked extremely well, I would describe British horticulture as very much a mixed bag. Clearly the demise of the H in AHDB has left a gap in some of the vital functions of the sector, such as R&D. There is a void to fill.
More need than ever then for our horticulture crop associations to work together to help represent, grow and ultimately help their own crops prosper. There are some notable success stories where the crop associations work really well with activity such as gathering and providing data, supporting R&D and marketing, and generally championing their crop. I am starting to see more crop associations follow this lead, getting themselves organised, and looking to make a difference.
British Growers Association has worked long and hard over the last 18 months to help facilitate the release of £1.9 million in excess levy payer funds back from the AHDB into the growers’ hands in the form of the crop associations. This was a complex arrangement engaging both AHDB and Defra.
The challenge was the original requirement for projects to be identified before funds could be released, however with horticulture being such a varied sector, this was only ever going to be possible to benefit all by separating the funds out into the individual crops. With this achieved, it is a welcome boost to each crop association and hopefully can help to kick-start some additional activity.
As a not-for-profit, member-owned organisation, the British Growers Association sits behind the numerous crop associations, helping them to organise and execute their plans. One thing I have noticed since joining BGA is the ever-increasing numbers attending sector events. Again, I believe this is due to the desire for growers to collaborate, even if it is just to share problems. Who would have thought that in July we have a crop demonstration day attracting more than 350 people.
Of course, each crop association starts with the input of each of their boards and we are extremely grateful for the unpaid hard work and input from the many directors putting their time in for the good of their crops. It is great to see one of our own BGA directors, Peter Durose, recently taking the chairman’s role at the Brassica Growers Association and making efforts to help improve the organisation.
Stronger crop associations help build a more resilient and sustainable British horticulture sector. And I am convinced we will see this happen more in future. We look forward to British Growers Association playing an active role.
