Sustain to shape Defra’s new Horticulture Sector Growth Plan

Sustain is working alongside other members of the UK Fruit and Vegetable Coalition (UKFVC) to advise on the Horticulture Sector Growth Plan, which is being delivered by the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra).

Through this role, Sustain is bringing forward the case for organic and agroecological horticulture as central to delivering a more resilient, nature-friendly, and healthy food system.

After years advocating for action to scale up agroecological fruit and vegetable production, Sustain is delighted to see the government giving priority to horticulture, as the first farming sector to develop a growth plan.

The inclusion of organic and agroecological horticulture as its own strand within the wider strategy is also a significant win. Rather than focusing solely on intensive, high-input production, it signals government recognition that agroecological systems must play a central role in the future of UK horticulture.

Minister of State for Food Security and Rural Affairs, Angela Eagle has been open about her support for agroecological horticulture. Recently speaking on the BBC Radio 4's The Food Programme, she described agroecological growers and market gardens are an “important part of the jigsaw” and that she wants to “make sure that market gardens can be revived.”

Georgina Edwards, Sustainable Farming Campaign Officer, said:

"This is a big step forward. For the first time in years, government is recognising the role that organic and agroecological horticulture must play in building a resilient food system.

We’ve been making the case that fruit and vegetable production can deliver for climate, nature and public health and it’s encouraging to see that reflected in this new strategy.

Now the focus must be on turning this ambition into action, by tackling the systemic barriers facing growers and supporting a shift to a more sustainable, nature-friendly horticulture sector.”

What is the Horticulture Sector Growth Plan?

The Horticulture Sector Growth Plan is one of the first of several Defra-led Sector Growth Plans, overseen by the newly established Farming and Food Partnership Board (FFPB). The plans will be developed and led by the sector, with the support of Defra and oversight of the FFPB.

It aims to support UK horticulture by supporting farmers and growers, increasing domestic production of fruit and vegetables, improve sector profitability, and strengthen national food security alongside delivering social and environmental outcomes.

The Horticulture Sector Growth Plan will consider the different needs of intensive large-scale horticulture, ornamental (‘environmental’) horticulture, and agroecological horticulture, as well as cross-cutting sector issues.

Why do we need a strategy for horticulture?

Fruit and vegetables are a key opportunity for economic growth and supporting the health of our nation.

Currently, the UK imports over 50% of the vegetables and over 80% of the fresh fruit we eat. Recent reports from Sustain alliance members have also found most children and adults do not eat enough fruit and vegetables a day, with these trends worsening each year.

 A well-designed Horticulture Growth Strategy could help the UK be more self-sufficient in the food we need for healthy diets, while supporting livelihoods in rural and peri-urban communities.

A long-awaited result

Since plans for a Horticulture Strategy was scrapped by the previous government in 2023, Sustain and its alliance members have campaigned for a long-term, cross-departmental strategy to support the sector. The development of a Horticulture Sector Growth Plan reflects growing recognition of these calls, and the need for a more coordinated and strategic approach to the sector.

Sustain welcomed a commitment by the Minister of State for Food Security and Rural Affairs, Angela Eagle, promising to establish a sector-specific plan for horticulture back in November 2025. In March 2026, Sustain also joined the call for a Market Garden Support Fund.

Rebecca Laughton, UKFVC member and Horticulture Campaigns Coordinator at Landworkers' Alliance, said:

“We have long called for a coherent, long-term strategy for horticulture, so it’s encouraging to see government taking this forward.

In the wider context of climate change and geopolitical tensions, this is a critical moment for UK farming to transition to agroecological practices. The development of a Horticulture Sector Growth Plan is a key opportunity to reset the direction of UK horticulture.

With the right support, our sector can play a major role in strengthening food security, supporting rural livelihoods and improving public health. We look forward to helping shape a strategy that delivers real change.”

What's next?

Sustain will continue to advocate for measures that support organic and agroecological production at every stage of the plan's development.

Regular updates will be shared via our Sustainable Farming Campaign Newsletter. To sign up, click here.

For our recent horticulture policy positions, read: Growing Together: How organic, agroecological growers can help deliver the National Food Strategy