Growers Warn of £1M Energy Bill "Cliff Edge" This April

British horticulture is facing an existential "hard cliff edge" as the sector warns of a massive spike in energy standing charges set to take effect on April 1st.

Industry leaders from the British Tomato Growers’ Association (BTGA) and the Cucumber and Pepper Growers’ Association (CPGA) have issued an urgent plea for government intervention, stating that without immediate action, the UK risks a permanent decline in domestic food production and a fresh surge in food inflation.

The Million-Pound Bill

Starting April 1st, 2026, growers are facing a staggering 60% to 80% increase in electricity standing charges. For large-scale glasshouse operations, these additional costs could reach up to £1 million per year. To make matters worse, a similar increase is already projected for 2027.

Simon Conway, BTGA chairman, explained: “We are weeks away from unavoidable price rises for British tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers. If the government doesn’t act before the 1st of April, growers will have no choice but to pass these costs on or stop production altogether.”

A Policy Gap

The associations highlight a stark contrast between UK policy and that of European competitors. The Netherlands, for instance, has secured its position as a world leader in protected horticulture through energy policies that support long-term planning and investment.

In the UK, however, growers remain locked out of the Energy Intensive Industries (EII) exemption scheme. Despite operating with energy intensities similar to manufacturing sectors that receive a 90% discount, the horticulture sector is excluded due to what leaders call "outdated" SIC codes.

Food Security at Risk

The warning is clear: failure to intervene will result in a heavy reliance on foreign imports, particularly from water-scarce regions in Southern Europe and North Africa.

"The UK has the talent and the technology—but not the policy," a spokesperson for the associations stated. "Delay any longer and we will permanently fall behind our European competitors."

The Solution

The industry maintains that the crisis is entirely "preventable." Growers are calling on Ofgem and DEFRA to update eligibility rules for the EII scheme before the April deadline. This "simple intervention" would provide immediate relief to the sector and help stabilize food prices for consumers.

As the April 1st deadline looms, the future of the British salad bowl rests in the hands of government ministers. Without a policy shift, the "Buy British" staples of tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers may soon become a luxury—or vanish from shelves entirely.