Energy Shock Puts UK Salad Growers on the Brink

The UK’s glasshouse salad-vegetable producers are warning of an “existential threat” as energy costs loom large, following the announcement of a 94% increase in electricity network charges scheduled for April 2026.

Representatives from the protected-horticulture sector say the looming hike places enormous pressure on an industry already operating on very tight margins.

The uplift in network charges threatens to drive some operators to the brink of collapse and could have knock-on effects on food security and consumer prices.

Energy-use intensity plays a central role in the alarm. Glasshouse-grown salad crops such as lettuce and endives rely on controlled environments, meaning producers face substantial cost increases in standing charges before energy consumption even rises. For larger protected-environment horticulture operations, the additional cost burden could run into millions of pounds annually, jeopardising viability unless mitigated through support or passed on to consumers.

Industry bodies warn that the challenge is not simply a business concern but a structural threat to the long-term sustainability of UK salad production. With energy bills climbing and margins already strained, many businesses may be forced to scale down, reduce planting, withdraw from contracts, or exit the sector entirely.

Such developments could undermine domestic production and increase reliance on imports at a time when food security concerns are already heightened.

Growers are calling for urgent government intervention. One key ask is updating eligibility rules so that protected horticulture is included in schemes designed for energy-intensive industries. Current classification rules exclude many horticultural producers, despite energy consumption levels comparable with other eligible sectors.

Even with support, industry leaders stress that the sector will continue to face significant cost pressures and will require a long-term commitment from policymakers to maintain a competitive and resilient domestic fresh-produce supply chain.

In short, growers say this issue goes far beyond higher overheads. Without swift action, the UK risks shrinking its glasshouse salad-vegetable industry, with implications for jobs, domestic production, supermarket supply, and consumer affordability.