17th Aug 2022 - 05:00
Image
Abstract
A new National Farmers Union (NFU) survey found that £22m worth of fruit and vegetables have been wasted because of workforce shortages in the first half of 2022 alone.
As the survey represents around a third of the UK horticulture sector, the NFU estimates the overall value of food wasted accumulates to more than £60 million.
NFU deputy president Tom Bradshaw said: “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.
“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.”
The survey also showed that:
- 40% of respondents are suffering crop losses as a result of labour shortages
- 56% of respondents reported 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% (this is based on recruitment and does not factor in the added effects of early leavers)
- 17% of workers recruited did not turn up
- 9% of workers left their contract early
- Growers expect a further fall in production in 2023 of 4.4%