The latest government statistics published today by Defra show that the UK's horticultural production declined in 2012, while the area remained virtually the same.

The annual report, released on Wednesday (31st July) and comprising the final figures from the horticulture sector, shows total vegetable areas decreased by two percent in 2012, while total fruit areas remained unchanged. However, although the area remained comparable to 2011, overall vegetable production fell by four percent year on year and fruit production dropped by 14 percent in 2012.

In spite of the declines in productivity, which Defra said were largely due to the challenging and contrasting weather conditions seen throughout 2012, the total value of production for vegetables showed a 4 percent increase in 2012. The value of fruit production, however, fell by 7 percent.

Fruit and vegetable production was valued at around £1.8 billion in 2012. The UK produced 56 percent of its vegetable needs in 2012, a 3 percent drop compared to the five-year average self-sufficiency estimates. Only 10 percent of the fruit consumed in Britain in 2012 was grown here, another dip compared to the 12 percent three-year average, Defra said.

Many parts of the country entered 2012 in a state of drought, the severity of which was increased by an unseasonably dry period from January to March. However, an abrupt shift in the weather meant the UK was exceptionally wet for most of the rest of the year, which was amongst the dimmest and rainiest on record.

The high levels of rain caused increased disruption in the form of flooding at several points during the year. Wet weather impacted on the harvesting of crops in 2012 and the planting and establishment of the 2013 crops.