British Berry Growers Face ‘Sharp, Significant’ Production Cost Jump
- Apr 30
- 2 min read
Soft fruit growers across the UK are facing a sudden wave of fresh cost pressure in the last few weeks as the price of core production inputs rises ahead of the 2026 season, leading British Berry Growers chairman Nick Marston to call for supply chain recognition.
New analysis from Andersons Farm Business Consultants, based on grower data, shows sharp increases since 1 March 2026 in fertiliser, crop protection, packaging, and transport costs.
For soft fruit businesses, these are the core items that shape the cost of production across crops including strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries.
The biggest rises have been seen in fertiliser and crop protection, up by 30% to 40%, with a median increase of 35%.
Packaging costs are up by 10% to 25% and transport by 15% to 25%, with median increases of 17.5% and 20% respectively.
Sudden Increase In Weeks
Although the exact impact varies between crops and production systems, the speed of the increases is the main concern.
British Berry Growers (BBG) chairman Nick Marston said growers are being hit by “significant” cost rises driven by global events outside their control.
“What stands out here is the scale and the speed; we've seen sharp rises across fertiliser, packaging, and transport in a matter of weeks, just as the UK season gets underway,” emphasised Marston.
The pace of change is especially difficult, according to Marston, considering that input costs are climbing just as the UK season gets underway.
“These are core inputs,” he stated. “When they move at this level, it has a direct impact on the cost of producing British berries. As we move into the peak season, it's important that these pressures are recognised across the supply chain."
Heated Production Hit Hardest
For businesses using heated production systems, energy adds another layer of pressure.
That is particularly significant for glasshouse and other heated cropping, where energy makes up a large share of overall costs.
Andersons found growers’ electricity costs have risen by 10-40% since early March, while natural gas is up by around 60%.
The energy cost increases also feed through to cooling, storage, and packing.
“For those producing in glasshouses, the increases in electricity and particularly gas prices add a further layer of cost at an already high base,” noted Marston.
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