UK Young-Plant Nursery’s Export Ambitions: A Gradual Recovery in the Post-Brexit Era

A determined UK young‑plants nursery is mounting a concerted effort to restore export volumes to the levels it enjoyed before Brexit—an undertaking that is now beginning to bear fruit, according to HortWeek.

 Neil Alcock of Seiont Nurseries Ltd

Seiont Nurseries, which specialises in young-plants, has implemented a series of targeted strategies aimed at reinvigorating its overseas trade. These include optimising logistics, enhancing biosecurity protocols, and strengthening relationships with international buyers. Industry insiders are observing that exports are starting to rebound, though the journey remains challenging.

This push coincides with broader trends in UK agri-food export performance. While UK agri-food exports to the EU fell sharply between 2017 and 2024—by some 25% in cereals and up to 35% in vegetables and fruit—the last twelve months have shown signs of a turnaround. In May 2025, exports of cereals and cereal preparations rose by 50%, and animal feedingstuffs by 27%, suggesting a fledgling recovery.

Further boosting optimism is the role of technology. Advancements in renewable heating, precise greenhouse lighting, and automated control systems have been pivotal. These innovations not only enhance domestic production but also support export growth. Fruit exports, for example, rose by nearly 9% in 2023 compared to the previous year, with similar trajectories expected in 2024 and 2025.

This composite picture underscores a resilient sector—combining strategic action by exporters with technological innovation and nascent market rebound.

While challenges remain, particularly in navigating post-Brexit logistics and regulatory complexity, these efforts offer a promising pathway to rekindle Britain's place in the global horticultural trade.