In 10 out of 11 key food commodities self-sufficiency has plummeted since the 1990s, as highlighted by the NFU in its rallying ‘Ready to Grow’ report in September.
The NFU found a deficit between supply and demand that spans wheat, fresh fruit and vegetables, poultry, pork and eggs. In total, food, feed and drink imports have risen 70% in volume since 1997, while exports have fallen 49% in the same timeframe – widening the UK’s trade deficit to a rather startling 9.9 million tonnes.
