Worcester Business
Importance of horticulture in area revealed
5:54pm Monday 16th January 2012
HORTICULTURAL output in the West Midlands is growing and now accounts for almost 14 per cent of the UK’s £2.56 billion total, a new report claims.
However, energy costs, employment legislation and difficulties seeking finance for expansion have all been flagged up as potential threats to the industry.
The Defra-funded study, Getting to the Heart of Horticulture, was launched during a conference at Pershore’s Civic Centre on Friday. It says the West Midlands is the third most important region in England in terms of crop value.
Output at the farm gate is worth more than £350 million, with about £200 million gross value added by growers and a further £390 million added during manufacturing and processing.
The sector sustains 6,000 full-time jobs and at least 12,000 seasonal positions, while significant crops are cider apples (more than 60 per cent of total UK production) and asparagus (65 per cent of UK production).
The study was produced following a detailed survey of the industry conducted by European Food and Farming Partnership (EFFP). It worked with representatives from the National Farmers’ Union, University of Worcester and Wychavon District Council.
It is hoped the report will draw more government attention to the sector’s economic value and it has already grabbed the attention of Mid-Worcestershire MP Peter Luff.
He said: “This is the first time we have had real hard evidence of the importance of growing to the economies of both Worcestershire and Herefordshire and to the wider region.”