United Kingdom Fruits And Vegetables Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence
The United Kingdom fruits and vegetables market is expected to grow from USD 18.3 billion in 2025 to USD 19.02 billion in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 23.09 billion by 2031 at 3.95% CAGR over 2026-2031. The expansion reflects a structural shift toward higher domestic output, stronger import-substitution policies, and rapid mainstreaming of controlled-environment agriculture. Government grants for renewable energy installations, retailer commitments to long-term supply contracts, and heightened consumer demand for low-carbon produce are sustaining investment momentum. At the same time, labor shortages, volatile energy costs, and evolving United Kingdom–European Union phytosanitary requirements are reshaping competitive dynamics and accelerating automation uptake. As the market transitions toward greater resilience, vertically integrated growers and technology-driven producers are consolidating share while smaller, labor-intensive farms evaluate partnership models and joint investment pathways.
Key Report Takeaways
- By commodity type, fruits led with 55.60% of United Kingdom fruits and vegetables market size in 2025, and are projected to expand at a 4.42% CAGR through 2031.
Note: Market size and forecast figures in this report are generated using Mordor Intelligence’s proprietary estimation framework, updated with the latest available data and insights as of January 2026.
United Kingdom Fruits And Vegetables Market Trends and Insights
Drivers Impact Analysis
| Driver | (~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Increasing retailer-backed long-term supply contracts | +0.8% | England, Scotland, and Wales | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Rising consumer demand for local, low-carbon produce | +0.6% | National, with concentration in urban areas | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
| Rapid expansion of controlled-environment agriculture capacity | +0.9% | England, particularly East Anglia and Kent | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
| Government grants for on-farm renewable energy integration | +0.4% | England, with spillover to Wales and Scotland | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Digitization of produce traceability systems | +0.3% | National, early adoption in major supply chains | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Adoption of regenerative practices to meet ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) targets | +0.5% | National, concentrated in corporate farming operations | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
| Source: Mordor Intelligence | |||
Increasing retailer-backed long-term supply contracts
Major supermarket groups are shifting from annual tenders to multiyear agreements that cover volumes, pricing frameworks, and joint investment in sustainable infrastructure. These contracts provide growers with stable cash flows that de-risk capital-intensive greenhouse projects and robotics upgrades. Supermarkets capture differentiated supply while signaling support for domestic food security objectives. The trend also mitigates waste by locking in harvest planning and committing retailers to predictable offtake volumes.
Rising consumer demand for local, low-carbon produce
United Kingdom consumers demonstrate a strong preference for produce with verified local origin and low transportation emissions. Retailers now highlight “grown-in-Britain” labels and carbon-footprint scores on shelf tags, enabling price premiums that offset higher domestic production costs. Public health campaigns encouraging fruit and vegetable intake further amplify demand, especially among urban shoppers who value traceability and freshness.
Government grants for on-farm renewable energy integration
The United Kingdom government has allocated substantial funding to support renewable energy adoption in agriculture, recognizing energy costs as a critical factor affecting sector competitiveness and sustainability. The Improving Farm Productivity Grant provides up to GBP 100,000 (USD 125,000) for solar installations, covering up to 25% of eligible costs for farmers and horticultural businesses.[1]Source: UK Government, “About the Improving Farm Productivity Grant Round 2,” GOV.UK Government support extends beyond direct grants to include planning permission streamlining for renewable energy installations and integration with Environmental Land Management schemes that provide additional payments for sustainable practices.
Adoption of regenerative practices to meet ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) targets
Corporate sustainability commitments are driving widespread adoption of regenerative agriculture practices across the United Kingdom's fruit and vegetable production, with major retailers and food companies establishing specific targets for supplier environmental performance. The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board's Environment Baselining Pilot provides fully funded carbon audits and tailored action plans to support the industry's transition to net zero by 2050.[2]Source: Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, “GrowSave: Energy Management in Protected Cropping,” horticulture.ahdb.org.ukRegenerative practices offer multiple benefits, including improved soil health, enhanced biodiversity, reduced input costs, and carbon sequestration potential that can generate additional revenue streams through carbon credit markets.
Restraints Impact Analysis
| Restraint | (~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labor shortages post-Brexit | −1.2% | Seasonal growing regions | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
| Volatile energy prices affecting greenhouse economics | −0.8% | Protected-cropping clusters | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Phytosanitary trade barriers with the European Union | −0.6% | Export-dependent operations | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Limited cold-chain infrastructure for perishables exports | −0.4% | Port regions | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
| Source: Mordor Intelligence | |||
Labor shortages post-Brexit
The United Kingdom's agriculture sector faces acute labor shortages that threaten production capacity and operational efficiency, with Brexit restrictions on European Union worker mobility exacerbating pre-existing workforce challenges. Post-Brexit labor constraints have intensified due to restrictive access to EU workers, affecting 40% of food supply chains and creating particular pressure in labor-intensive fruit and vegetable harvesting operations. The British Berry Growers survey revealed that half of strawberry and raspberry growers could cease operations by 2026, with labor shortages cited as a primary concern alongside inadequate retailer pricing.
Limited cold-chain infrastructure for perishables exports
The United Kingdom's cold-chain infrastructure faces capacity constraints and technological limitations that restrict export potential for fresh produce, particularly affecting time-sensitive perishables requiring precise temperature control throughout transportation. The Cold Chain Federation has identified worker shortages and inadequate recognition of cold-chain infrastructure as critical national infrastructure as key challenges facing the sector. Investment in cold-chain infrastructure requires substantial capital commitments and coordination across multiple stakeholders, creating barriers to rapid capacity expansion that could support increased domestic production and export growth.
Segment Analysis
By Commodity Type: Fruits Maintain Value Leadership amid Shifting Production Patterns
Fruits represented 55.60% of the United Kingdom fruits and vegetables market share in 2025, and are projected to expand at a 4.42% CAGR through 2031, supported by strong demand for berries and convenience packs. Soft-fruit revenue slightly declined to GBP 734 million (USD 857.5 million) in 2024 as protected cultivation and substrate systems extended picking seasons. In contrast, orchard-fruit output fell as growers replanted toward higher-margin raspberries. Retail promotions and healthy-snacking trends sustain premium price elasticity that cushions growers against input-cost shocks.
Vegetables remained essential for daily diets but faced tighter margins. Domestic supply met just over half of the demand in 2023, highlighting both import reliance and productivity gains from precision irrigation and disease-resistant seeds. Cucumber self-sufficiency rose markedly after the Fenland complex came online, evidencing the scalability of renewable-energy greenhouses. Tomato growers confronted disease risk and heating expenses, prompting trials of heat-tolerant cultivars, waste-wood biomass boilers, and intercropping rotations to retain production viability.
Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase
Geography Analysis
England dominates commercial output, hosting extensive glasshouse corridors in East Anglia and Kent that leverage proximity to distribution centers and advanced agronomy services. These counties attract the lion’s share of renewable-energy grants and robotics pilots, translating to productivity levels that outpace national averages.
Scotland excels in soft-fruit cultivation, where cooler summers favor high-brix berries with fewer pesticide applications. The Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA) program accelerates cultivar trials that lengthen harvest windows and bolster export readiness. Wales and Northern Ireland emphasize niche vegetable lines and organic acreage, benefitting from Environmental Land Management payments that reward regenerative practices.
Climate modeling indicates Southern counties could soon support mandarins and avocados, while milder northern conditions may improve brassica yields. These shifts will prompt region-specific investment in irrigation, varietal Research and Development, and cold-chain assets, reshaping the spatial profile of the United Kingdom fruits and vegetables market.
Recent Industry Developments
- July 2025: India's agricultural exports to the United Kingdom, particularly fresh grapes and vegetables, are anticipated to increase by more than 20% between 2024 and 2027 due to tariff reductions under the bilateral trade agreement. The trade deal strengthens India's position against key competitors such as China and Brazil in the UK food market.
- April 2025: The UK government plans to terminate funding for the Fruit and Vegetable Aid Scheme in December 2025. This decision affects growers and producer organizations across the country. Although Scotland will maintain its support mechanisms, the National Farmers Union (NFU) advocates for implementing a new funding model to maintain horticultural innovation and market competitiveness.
- May 2024: The United Kingdom government doubled horticulture funding to GBP 80 million (USD 100 million) annually under the Blueprint for Growing the United Kingdom Fruit and Vegetable Sector.
United Kingdom Fruits And Vegetables Market Report Scope
Fruits and vegetables are horticultural crops that produce perishable agricultural produce and are a key part of the country's agriculture. Only fresh fruits and vegetables are considered in the scope of the report.
The UK fruits and vegetables market is segmented by vegetables and fruits and includes production analysis (volume), consumption analysis (value and volume), trade in terms of import analysis (value and volume), and export analysis (value and volume) for each segment. The report offers market estimation and forecasts for value (USD) and volume (Metric tons) for the abovementioned segments.
By Commodity Type
| Fruits | Apple |
| Strawberry | |
| Pear | |
| Raspberry | |
| Cherries | |
| Vegetables | Carrot |
| Cauliflower | |
| Onion | |
| Pea | |
| Tomato | |
| Cucumber |
| By Commodity Type | Fruits | Apple |
| Strawberry | ||
| Pear | ||
| Raspberry | ||
| Cherries | ||
| Vegetables | Carrot | |
| Cauliflower | ||
| Onion | ||
| Pea | ||
| Tomato | ||
| Cucumber | ||
Key Questions Answered in the Report
What is the current value of the United Kingdom fruits and vegetables market?
The market is valued at USD 19.02 billion in 2026.
How fast is the market projected to grow?
It is projected to grow at a 3.95% CAGR to 2031.
Which commodity type holds the largest share?
Fruits lead with 55.60% share in 2025.
What is the main labor challenge for growers?
Post-Brexit seasonal worker shortages continue to limit harvest capacity.
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