The UK government has launched a review aimed a improving fairness in the fresh produce supply chain to support farmers and growers to receive a “fair price” for their products.
The ‘Fresh Produce Supply Chain Review’ was opened yesterday (Thursday, December 14) and will run for 10 weeks until February 22, 2024.
The government said the review is is an open consultation, meaning that responses from all stakeholders with a link to the fresh produce sector will be welcomed.
The review will gather evidence about how contractual arrangements in the fresh produce sector currently function, whether there is a need for further legislation to oversee the relationship between producers and purchasers, and whether the supply chain can be made more transparent.
Environment Secretary Steve Barclay said: “I’m committed to backing British farmers and growers, and it’s only right that producers should be paid a fair price.
“This review will help ensure that is the case, as well as delivering on our commitments from the Farm to Fork Summit to provide greater stability and resilience for the fresh produce sector.”
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said the horticulture industry is a “vital part” of the UK’s food supply chain and contributed £3.3 billion to the British economy in 2022.
This figure included the growing of more than 3 million tonnes of over 300 fruit and vegetable crops domestically.
“Production of fruit and vegetables often occurs in rural areas and provides valuable income and jobs to these rural communities,” Defra said.
“Supporting the growth of this sector is a key component of the Prime Minister’s priority of growing the economy.
“The sector has faced a number of challenges in recent years including increased energy, fuel and labour costs which have raised concerns about the fairness of the UK supply chain.”
The department said the launch of the review is the first step in addressing these concerns, providing support for fruit and vegetable growers across the UK.
