Over £60 million-worth of fresh produce has gone to waste in the first half of the year, due to the fruit and vegetables industry’s chronic labour shortages.
According to new data from the National Farmers Union (NFU), £22 million worth of fruit and vegetables has been wasted directly because of workforce shortages in the first half of 2022 alone.
However, with the survey representing around a third of the UK horticulture sector, the organisation predicts the overall value of food wasted accumulates to more than £60 million.
The survey also revealed 40% of respondents are suffering crop losses as a result of labour shortages.
READ MORE: Tesco shoppers to see pet food shortages in latest price dispute
Some 56% added a fall in production averaging a 19% reduction across the businesses. On average for the 2022 season so far, businesses are experiencing worker shortages of 14%.
“It’s nothing short of a travesty that quality, nutritious food is being wasted at a time when families across the country are already struggling to make ends meet because of soaring living costs,” NFU deputy president Tom Bradshaw said.
“At the same time, the prolonged dry weather and record temperatures have created a really challenging growing environment for our fruit and veg. Every crop is valuable – to the farm business and to the people whose plates they fill. We simply can’t afford to be leaving food unpicked.”
He added: ” With the demand on the Seasonal Workers Scheme expected to increase again next year, it’s vital the scheme has the capacity to facilitate the people the sector needs to pick, pack and process the country’s fruit and vegetables.
“This means increasing the number of visas available to meet the sector’s needs and expanding it to a minimum of a five-year rolling scheme to enable growers to have confidence to invest in their businesses – particularly given growth in the horticultural sector is a government ambition set out in the National Food Strategy.
“This survey has demonstrated just how crucial it is for fruit and veg growers to have access to the workforce they need. Expanding the Seasonal Workers Scheme will play a vital role in enabling that access and ensuring we don’t see this devastating level of food waste next year.”
