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Speaking at today’s Fruit Focus, the UK’s leading technical event for the fruit industry, Mr Kendall told guests that there was huge potential for the UK to boost its production of fresh fruit and veg. However, he warned that the supply chain “must change the way it interacts with its grower base” or they could be forced into new markets.

The Catalyst for Change report details both good and bad practice within the industry and shows how there has been a significant fall in self-sufficiency for a number of fruit and veg, including tomatoes, cucumbers and spring onions. These crops, which have been branded ‘endangered’ by the NFU, are joined by other ‘at-risk’ crops such as Brussels sprouts, lettuce, leeks and cauliflower.

Mr Kendall said: “It dismays me to hear about the poor practice that remains so rife in our supply chain – and no sector of agriculture or horticulture appears to be immune. In publishing this document, we’re shining a light on the best and worst examples of supply chain and talking openly about the impact this is having on our ability to produce food.”

Mr Kendall added that the report would make interesting reading for any newly appointed independent adjudicator, but that collaboration was the key to ensuring that British produce does not disappear from our shelves.

“The need to build stronger supply chain relationships ranks very highly on our lobbying agenda for the fresh produce sector - because we believe that greater collaboration between growers, retailers and packers and a fairer share of profits in the chain – will be one of the biggest achievements we can make towards building our self-sufficency in the UK,” he said.

As a result of the investigation, the NFU is calling on retailers, intermediaries and processors to sign up to its ‘Fruit & Veg Pledge’ to show their commitment to best business practice.

The report can be read in full here.

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