Amidst the rolling hills and sweeping farmland of England, a surprising and sobering truth has come to light: only 2% of the nation's agricultural land is used to grow fruit and vegetables.*
Despite a growing awareness of the need for healthier diets and a stronger focus on sustainability, the figures point to a glaring imbalance in England’s land usage.
This revelation comes from a recent report highlighting the stark divide between land used for livestock and the production of staple crops, and the comparatively small area dedicated to fresh produce.
England, often romanticised for its verdant fields, dedicates the lion's share of its farmland to pasture for grazing animals and cereal crops, largely intended for animal feed. Fruit and vegetable production, the very cornerstones of a healthy, balanced diet, are pushed to the margins.
These figures are particularly concerning in light of current public health initiatives. With obesity and poor diet continuing to burden the NHS, the limited availability of domestic fruit and vegetables further challenges efforts to promote healthier eating habits. A recent survey found that the average British adult consumes less than three portions of fruit and veg a day, far below the recommended five-a-day, which itself has now been called conservative by health experts who suggest aiming for seven portions.
Campaigners are now calling for a rethink in agricultural policy. Organisations such as Sustain and The Landworkers' Alliance argue that incentives should be shifted towards increasing the production of homegrown fruit and vegetables, which would help improve the nation’s health and reduce reliance on imports. Currently, the UK imports 84% of its fresh fruit and nearly half of its vegetables, leaving the country vulnerable to international supply chain disruptions, as highlighted starkly during the Covid-19 pandemic and Brexit-related trade challenges.
Farmer and sustainability advocate Guy Singh-Watson of Riverford Organic points out that this reliance on imported produce is neither economically nor environmentally sustainable. “We need to take a hard look at how our agricultural policies and subsidies are structured,” says Singh-Watson. “More support should be provided to those farmers who want to diversify and grow fresh produce. It’s time to align our farming practices with what’s best for our health and our planet.”
The government has been urged to reconsider its post-Brexit agricultural subsidies scheme, which campaigners argue has thus far done little to encourage the transition towards fruit and veg production. There is growing support for policies that would provide grants and incentives for farmers willing to make the switch, potentially reducing the imbalance in land use.
The public also has a part to play. The demand for more locally grown produce must come not just from policymakers but from consumers too. Initiatives such as community-supported agriculture schemes and the rise of box delivery services like Riverford have shown that there is an appetite for seasonal, homegrown produce. But for meaningful change, this support must grow to become a more mainstream movement.
If England is to truly embrace sustainability and improve public health, then the nation's fields will need to reflect that change. Rebalancing land use towards producing more homegrown fruit and vegetables is not only a crucial step towards food security but also a direct investment in the health of the country. In the words of Singh-Watson, “A green and pleasant land should be one that feeds us well.”
*According to the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA), in 2023, the total area of horticultural crops—which includes fruit and vegetables—was 145,000 hectares, representing about 2% of the total utilised agricultural area (UAA) of 17 million hectares.
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