Growers Warn Of Fruit And Veg Shortages As Iran Conflict Drives Costs Higher

UK fruit and vegetable growers have warned that supermarket shelves could face shortages if escalating energy and transport costs linked to the conflict involving Iran make production uneconomic.

Industry groups say rising wholesale gas prices, alongside higher fuel and input costs, are creating mounting pressure for glasshouse and field growers across the country, with some producers now considering ending their growing season early.

Lee Stiles, secretary of the Lea Valley Growers Association (LVGA), which represents around 70 UK glasshouse growers including major cucumber producers, said the situation mirrors the cost pressures experienced when Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.

Wholesale gas prices have begun climbing again, increasing the cost of heating glasshouses — a critical requirement for crops such as cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers and aubergines.

Stiles warned that if costs continue to rise, some growers may decide it is no longer economically viable to continue producing for the rest of the season. He said producers could face the stark choice of sending staff home and halting production altogether.

If growers cannot afford to heat their glasshouses, crops will stop growing, leading to reduced yields and potential supply shortages later in the year.

Industry representatives are urging retailers to respond by adjusting fixed-price supply contracts to reflect the higher cost of production. Growers argue that without such support, reduced output could ultimately lead to gaps on supermarket shelves.

Rachael Williams of the West Sussex Growers Association said many growers are deeply concerned about the unfolding situation and the uncertainty it creates for the sector.

She described the pressure facing producers as “four-fold”, pointing to rising energy costs, increased transport expenses, supply chain disruption and broader input price inflation.

In some cases, the cost of red diesel used by open-field growers has surged sharply in a matter of days, further adding to production costs.

Growers say the combined pressures highlight the vulnerability of UK food production to global geopolitical shocks, warning that without rapid intervention the sector could face reduced production and greater reliance on imports.

Source: The Independent