‘Mounting pressures’ across domestic and international supply chain despite progress in varietal development for beans, peat-free mushroom substrates, and regenerative citrus programmes

The new report comes amid a series of supply challenges faced by the wholesale supplier during this summer’s heatwaves

The new report comes amid a series of supply challenges faced by the wholesale supplier during this summer’s heatwaves

Image: Fresh Direct

UK horticulture is facing mounting pressure from extreme weather, geopolitical disruption, water scarcity, labour shortages and input cost inflation, according to a new report from wholesale fresh food supplier and distributor Fresh Direct. 

The Sourcing for the Future report, developed in partnership with environmental research company Footprint Intelligence, has highlighted growing challenges across both domestic and international supply chains.

Fresh Direct said collaboration across the supply chain will be essential to ensuring the long-term availablity of high quality fresh produce for foodservice operators.  

The report comes amid a series of international and domestic supply challenges faced by the wholesale supplier during this summer’s heatwaves, with crops including cucumbers, red cabbage, tomatoes and brassicas among those affected.

Domestic production now accounts for just 17 per cent of the fruit and 55 per cent of the vegetables consumed in the UK, with national output declining by around 600,000 tonnes since 2015, according to the report. 

Andy Pembroke, managing director of Fresh Direct, said the challenges facing the fresh produce industry were becoming increasingly complex, but highlighted encouraging progress in innovation and sustainable production. 

The report pointed to developments in new bean varieties better suited to UK growing conditions, peat-free mushroom substrates and regenerative citrus production programmes. 

Regenerative famring practices, including precision irrigation and protected growing systems, were also highlighted for helping producers adapt to volatile growing environments. 

Continued investment in genetic research has also boosted resilience across salad, avocados and citrus supply chains, it found. 

”Growers, breeders, suppliers and customers all have a role to play in building a more resilient food system,” Pembroke said. 

“By investing in long term partnerships, embracing innovation and supporting sustainable production practices, we can help secure a stronger future for fresh produce and the foodservice sector.”

The report identified six priorities requiring collaboration across the industry to safeguard the long-tem supply of fresh produce. 

  1. Working with nature

  2. Accelerating varietal development

  3. Supporting growers through longer-term sourcing commitments

  4. Driving policy reform

  5. Improving understanding of supply vulnerabilities

  6. Increasing fruit and vegetable consumption

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