The UK urgently needs to drive economic growth and ensure a reliable, sustainable food supply for its expanding population. In its latest Viewpoint Special Report, ‘Driving growth through a thriving food system’, IGD has partnered with food system change investment firm Bramble Intelligence to identify horticulture and poultry as two critical sectors that could transform the economy and food security, with the right support.
£5bn investment opportunity and 60,000 new jobs by 2030
The food system is essential to the UK’s future success. Businesses across the food system play a vital role in feeding the nation and underpinning the UK economy. They contribute 7% of national Gross Value Added (GVA) and employ over 4 million people, making it the largest private sector employer[1].
By investing in the expansion of horticulture and poultry production, the UK could stand to gain an additional £1.3bn in annual production value and inject up to £5bn of investment into the economy by 2030. This growth could create 60,000 new jobs, revitalising communities in the South East and East of England through horticulture, and across the Midlands and beyond with poultry. These sectors are primed to deliver high-quality employment, innovation, and support for local economies.
IGD’s Viewpoint Report sets out a framework to guide purposeful growth in the UK food system, that drives economic performance while delivering better health and sustainability outcomes.
Horticulture and poultry as priority growth sectors
The poultry and horticulture sectors have been identified as top priority sectors because they best meet the criteria, outlined here, for impactful, scalable, and sustainable expansion:
- Commercial value: strong consumer demand, potential for premiumisation and value creation, and clear opportunities for innovation across the value chain.
- Availability of private capital: supported by sufficient private capital, matched to the maturity and potential of the market.
- Scope for policy intervention: growth is more likely where clear policy solutions exist.
- Alignment with dietary and sustainability goals: expansion should reinforce, not compromise, progress towards healthier, more sustainable outcomes.
- High import dependency: clear potential to shift to domestic production of food and drink items which are mainly imported but can be grown competitively in the UK. This will build the UK’s strategic resilience, shorten supply chains, and lower emissions linked to transport and storage.
- Inflation control: to help manage inflation, it’s vital to prioritise categories that make up a large share of household food and drink budgets. Expanding supply in these areas, at competitive prices, can shield consumers from global price volatility and reduce reliance on unstable import markets.
- Quality employment potential: sectors where innovation (whether in technology, farming systems, or logistics) can unlock new job opportunities and revitalise local economies are especially valuable.
- A focus on the future: any investment must align with long-term megatrends, working with them, not against them, to ensure relevance and resilience in the decades ahead.
The poultry industry is a strong growth story, contributing £7.5bn to the UK economy and supporting around 110,000 jobs. From 2015 to 2024, UK chicken meat production has increased by 2.7% annually, rising from 1.4 million tonnes to 1.8 million tonnes. With consumer demand continuing to climb, the sector is poised for even greater expansion, with the potential for 5.8% growth between 2024 and 2030, firmly positioning poultry at the heart of the UK’s protein supply.
In contrast, British horticulture, despite a 5.1% rise in value between 2015 and 2024, mainly due to higher input costs and increased consumer prices, has seen a worrying volume decline of -1.9% over the same period. Domestic fruit and vegetable output has dropped by 600,000 tonnes (16%) since 2015, pressured by water scarcity, energy volatility, labour shortages, and inconsistent planning approvals. However, with the right support and reforms, horticulture holds clear potential for revitalisation and future growth, offering the opportunity to reverse recent declines and strengthen food security.
What does it mean for shoppers?
At a national level, economic growth is rightly the UK’s top priority. It is key to reversing stagnant incomes and improving living standards, which have been compressed since 2008.
However, economic growth isn’t just beneficial at a macro, national level, it directly benefits every household. Boosting domestic horticulture and poultry will help control food inflation and protect consumers from unpredictable swings in global food prices. It will shorten supply chains, reduce reliance on unstable import markets, and lower the UK’s food-related emissions. Ultimately, this means more locally grown fruit and vegetables, poultry meeting assured British quality standards, unlocking 60,000 new job opportunities and revitalising local economies and communities.
Policy unlocks required: what needs to change?
To unlock the potential for UK poultry and horticulture, IGD urges for targeted government action in key areas:
- Embed a national spatial plan in the National Planning Policy Framework to pre-identify optimal locations for poultry shed expansion based on infrastructure, environmental impact and market access. Allow for permitted development for pre-identified sites.
- Introduce fast-track planning for Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) under the Land Use Framework and ensure Grade I and II agricultural land is prioritised for high-value horticulture.
- Publish a Defra-led national water infrastructure strategy prioritising horticulture, with streamlined planning to cut reservoir approval times to under 12 months.
- Extend Seasonal Worker Scheme visas from 6 to 9 months for tomatoes, peppers and cucumber growers.
Matthew Stoughton-Harris, head of resilience at IGD, comments; “The UK food system is more than a contributor to growth – it’s a catalyst for resilience and renewal. Its reach into every community, its role in employment, and its potential to address national challenges make it uniquely positioned to support purposeful economic recovery. But growth must be targeted. Unlocking opportunities in sectors that align with health, sustainability, and productivity goals will help the food system grow not only bigger, but better.
“We urge the government to act now on enabling the full potential of poultry and horticulture as national growth drivers. Draw on cross-sector expertise to create a joint, actionable strategy with clear responsibilities and timelines. Only with a unified national strategy can we unlock the full potential of these critical sectors.”
Protecting our food, our farmers and our future
Without decisive action, poultry and horticulture risk decline, potentially costing the economy £0.9bn and 30,000 jobs. That’s why IGD is urging government and industry to act now, by supporting British farmers, stabilising prices for shoppers, and securing food for future generations.
