The realities of Brexit for the horticultural industry are just starting to take effect.
So, what are the positives? Who will be the most affected by changes to come? What is important to know as a grower? Sustainability consultant Dr. Kate Fox conducted extensive market research over the past two years speaking to growers and monitoring the situation.
One of the most significant challenges so far, has been getting access to sufficient labour. Flower farmers have been most severely affected as the seasonal worker visa scheme that allows workers from outside the EU to come in and harvest crops is only aimed at edible crops. One daffodil farmer stated that he only had 400 of the 700 workers he needs due to the end of free movement.
Nurseries have also been impacted by the new plant health regulations which can add a £182 inspection charge for every consignment. Garden centres and nurseries say they may increase their prices by up to 10% from April to help cover the costs of the new plant passport system and phytosanitary certificates. Growers are having to adapt to the rules that state plants sold to EU and Northern Ireland must be soil- and pest-free. More information on this can be found on the UK Government website.
Wholesalers are suffering a double whammy, adapting both to Brexit and the significant challenges of Covid on the hospitality industry. London’s three leading wholesale markets – New Covent Garden Market, New Spitalfields Market and Western International Market – have already written to the Prime Minister asking for urgent financial assistance to help save the hospitality and food service supply chain as trade is currently down around 80%. One fruit and veg wholesaler predicts that prices could increase by up to 18% on produce which could have a significant impact on restaurants and chefs who use these markets as their suppliers. Many people think that ‘untrendy’ vegetables such as celeriac are going to make a comeback so that the hospitality industry can afford to stay open and provide reasonably priced meals. The extent of this will only be clear when the hospitality sector reopens.
However, Brexit is not all bad news in the horticulture world. The trade deficit in fruit and vegetables is an opportunity to grow and source food locally and is supported by the increased emphasis on national food security. This cuts down on CO2 emissions with the decrease of excessive transportation. For some, withdrawing from the EU’s CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) is a positive too as they hope to gain benefits from UK-specific agricultural policies instead. As part of a wider picture, it is hoped Brexit could tackle environmental issues in the horticulture industry with a stronger focus on reducing plastic and carbon consumption.
So, with both positive and negative changes to come, adapting to horticulture life post-Brexit will be a challenge. However, this could be a new opportunity to support locally sourced plants and flowers, and to encourage a new generation of UK based growers.
