Production of fruit and veg in the UK has increased but share of total supply against imports continues downward trajectory, new Defra figures show
UK veg production increased by eight per cent to 2.6 million tonnes in the last year, while domestic fruit production grew by 2.3 per cent to 577,000 tonnes, according to the latest Defra figures.
Domestically-produced vegetables contributed to around 56 per cent of the total UK supply in 2025, compared to 54 per cent in 2024. Self-sufficiency in UK veg has hovered below 60 per cent since 2017, with a slight spike in 2021.
In an accompanying report, Defra said that veg growing conditions in 2025 were dominated by prolonged dry weather and water availability constraints.
“While rainfall later in the season improved growth for some autumn and winter crops, the combination of early season drought, high summer temperatures and ongoing regulatory pressure on water use, highlighted water security as the key constraint on UK vegetable production in 2025,” Defra said.
In fruit, UK production accounts for 14 per cent of total supply following a steady decline from a peak in 2022.
While production increased modestly in 2025, there was a further contraction in planted area, which fell by 3.9 per cent to 29,634 hectares.
Orchard fruit output increased by 3.9 per cent to 443 thousand tonnes, following favourable blossom conditions for apples, pears and cherries.
Soft fruit production declined by 2.7 per cent to 134 thousand tonnes, due to heat‑related yield losses in strawberries and raspberries along with planted area reductions across all soft fruit.
“These trends reflect the growing season, with high temperatures and drought stress limiting fruit initiation in soft fruit later in the year, while early flowering and good pollination benefited top fruit,” Defra said.
The value of fruit production rose to £1.1 billion, an increase of five per cent on 2024. Value growth was driven primarily by higher average prices, particularly for strawberries and raspberries, which more than offset lower production volumes in some crops, Defra said.
Imports increased in volume and value, especially for soft fruit, underlining the continued importance of overseas supply when domestic production is constrained.
