United Kingdom Fruits & Vegetables Market Size
| Study Period | 2019 - 2029 |
| Base Year For Estimation | 2023 |
| Forecast Data Period | 2024 - 2029 |
| Market Size (2024) | USD 31.58 Billion |
| Market Size (2029) | USD 36.55 Billion |
| CAGR (2024 - 2029) | 2.97 % |
Major Players*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
United Kingdom Fruits & Vegetables Market Analysis
The United Kingdom Fruits & Vegetables Market size is estimated at USD 31.58 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 36.55 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 2.97% during the forecast period (2024-2029).
- The UK fruits and vegetables market is a significant part of the country’s food industry, and it is driven by a combination of domestic production and imports. The UK produces a variety of fruits, such as apples, pears, strawberries, and raspberries. However, due to the country's climate, their production volume is limited compared to global standards. Vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and cabbage are also significant, and the United Kingdom is one of the biggest producers of potatoes in Europe. However, the production of these crops is subject to seasonal fluctuations and climatic conditions, which lead to fluctuations in the prices of fresh fruits and vegetables in the country. For instance, according to the Office for National Statistics (UK), the price for one kilogram of carrots had increased by 35% as of December 2023 compared to the previous year. Carrots were the vegetable with the highest price growth during this period. Plums had the highest price change, with a 19% increase.
- Despite domestic production, the United Kingdom heavily relies on imports for its fruits and vegetables. Approximately 40% of the country's fruit and vegetable supply comes from EU countries such as Spain, the Netherlands, and France. The United Kingdom also imports from countries outside of Europe, such as South Africa and the United States, to meet consumer demand for a wide variety of produce year-round.
- In 2019, fruit and vegetable production in the United Kingdom was 3.3 million metric tons, which decreased to 3.0 million metric tons in 2022 due to hot summers and unpredictable climatic conditions. Extreme weather, including record-level rainfall, has negatively impacted fruit and vegetable yields in recent years. According to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the production volumes of fruit decreased by 12% to 585,000 metric tons, and vegetable yields decreased by 4.9% in 2023.
United Kingdom Fruits & Vegetables Market Trends
Increased Dependence on Imports
The United Kingdom's climate and growing conditions limit the year-round domestic production of many fruits and vegetables. As a result, the country heavily relies on imports to meet consumer demand, especially during the off-season. While efforts have been made to increase local cultivation, overall production has decreased in recent years, especially in fruit production. After Britain left the European Union (Brexit), many migrant workers left the country, leading to current labor shortages that hinder efforts to increase production. The UK imports over 40% of its fruits and vegetables, with major suppliers being the European Union, Africa, and South America.
Additionally, the United Kingdom's diverse population is driving the increasing demand for exotic and ethnic fruits and vegetables. Communities from South Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean have increased the import of fruits and vegetables, particularly from non-European countries. For instance, the import of fresh raspberries, known for their health benefits, increased from 26.2 thousand metric tons in 2020 to 27.2 thousand metric tons in 2022. This trend extends beyond berries, with an increase in the import of other exotic fruits and vegetables driven by the United Kingdom’s diverse culinary preferences and the influence of global food cultures.
Increased Consumption of Fruits and Vegetables
The demand for fruits and vegetables in the United Kingdom has been steadily rising due to an increased focus on health among consumers. This has led to higher domestic consumption and an increase in the import of fresh produce. Government-supported programs like "Peas Please" have also played a role in encouraging this trend by partnering with retailers to make vegetables more visible and available in supermarkets, influencing consumer purchasing habits in favor of healthier options.
Supermarket chains such as Tesco, Sainsbury's, and Morrisons dominate the UK retail market for fruits and vegetables. Sainsbury's launched the 'Great Big Fruit and Veg Challenge' program to promote healthy eating, which encouraged and rewarded customers for purchasing more fruits and vegetables in 2020. As a result, participants in the challenge increased their weekly consumption of fruits and vegetables by 3.6 portions during the initiative. They continued to buy 2.7 portions more vegetables in the subsequent weeks, driving the demand for fruits and vegetables. According to a 2022 study conducted by the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development), one in three adults in the UK consume five or more portions of fruit and vegetables daily. Therefore, these factors are anticipated to drive the consumption of fruits and vegetables in the country.
United Kingdom Fruits & Vegetables Market News
May 2024: The UK government announced a package of measures to support the farming and food industry, aiming to boost domestic food security, technological innovation, economic growth, and the development of future farming leaders. The plan includes a focus on horticultural sector growth, investment in infrastructure, extended support for farmers impacted by flooding, and funding for internal drainage boards.
March 2022: Fischer Farms secured EUR 26 million (approximately USD 28.5 million) funding to establish a 25,000 square meters vertical farm in the United Kingdom for the production of green vegetables in the country.
August 2021: Barfoots, a UK-based vegetable-growing firm, introduced a new product named 'CauliShoots' in the market. These CauliShoots are entirely edible from top to bottom and are expected to increase consumption as they align with consumer trends such as scratch cooking and zero waste.
UK Fruits and Vegetables Market Report - Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
- 1.1 Study Assumptions and Market Definition
- 1.2 Scope of the Study
2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
4. MARKET DYNAMICS
- 4.1 Market Overview
- 4.2 Market Drivers
- 4.3 Market Restraints
- 4.4 Value Chain Analysis
5. MARKET SEGMENTATION
-
5.1 Fruits
- 5.1.1 Production Analysis (Volume)
- 5.1.2 Consumption Analysis (Volume and Value)
- 5.1.3 Import Analysis (Volume and Value)
- 5.1.4 Export Analysis (Volume and Value)
- 5.1.5 Price Trend Analysis
-
5.2 Vegetables
- 5.2.1 Production Analysis (Volume)
- 5.2.2 Consumption Analysis (Volume and Value)
- 5.2.3 Import Analysis (Volume and Value)
- 5.2.4 Export Analysis (Volume and Value)
- 5.2.5 Price Trend Analysis
6. PRICE TREND ANALYSIS
- 6.1 Apple
- 6.2 Strawberry
- 6.3 Pear
- 6.4 Carrot
- 6.5 Cauliflower
- 6.6 Onion
- 6.7 Pea
- 6.8 Tomato
- 6.9 Cucumber
7. MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE TRENDS
** Subject To AvailablityUnited Kingdom Fruits & Vegetables Industry Segmentation
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.
| Fruits | Production Analysis (Volume) |
| Consumption Analysis (Volume and Value) | |
| Import Analysis (Volume and Value) | |
| Export Analysis (Volume and Value) | |
| Price Trend Analysis | |
| Vegetables | Production Analysis (Volume) |
| Consumption Analysis (Volume and Value) | |
| Import Analysis (Volume and Value) | |
| Export Analysis (Volume and Value) | |
| Price Trend Analysis |
UK Fruits and Vegetables Market Research FAQs
How big is the United Kingdom Fruits & Vegetables Market?
The United Kingdom Fruits & Vegetables Market size is expected to reach USD 31.58 billion in 2024 and grow at a CAGR of 2.97% to reach USD 36.55 billion by 2029.
What is the current United Kingdom Fruits & Vegetables Market size?
In 2024, the United Kingdom Fruits & Vegetables Market size is expected to reach USD 31.58 billion.
What years does this United Kingdom Fruits & Vegetables Market cover, and what was the market size in 2023?
In 2023, the United Kingdom Fruits & Vegetables Market size was estimated at USD 30.64 billion. The report covers the United Kingdom Fruits & Vegetables Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. The report also forecasts the United Kingdom Fruits & Vegetables Market size for years: 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029.
UK Fruits and Vegetables Industry Report
Statistics for the 2024 UK Fruits and Vegetables market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. UK Fruits and Vegetables analysis includes a market forecast outlook to 2029 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.
