Strawberries market in the United Kingdom

Earlier Report Observations

The UK strawberry market experienced fluctuating volumes between 2018 and 2023. After reaching 200.6 thousand tons in 2019, the total market size declined over the following years, falling to 161.7 thousand tons by 2023. Growth in 2019 occurred alongside reports of decelerating berry sales growth and mounting cost pressures for growers. The subsequent contraction was primarily driven by steadily rising production costs, particularly for labor, which significantly increased from 2021 onward. By 2021, labor costs accounted for over half of production expenses, contributing to a drop in domestic output to 114.6 thousand tons. This pressure continued into 2023, with further inflation in transportation and utility prices leading to another decline in production to 106.4 thousand tons.

In the later period, the market's value reached a record £2 billion in 2024, even as the share of British-grown berries fell and imports rose, indicating ongoing cost and supply chain challenges. The 2025 season was marked by favorable weather producing higher-quality fruit, which boosted consumer demand. However, heavy spring rains caused planting delays, and input costs for fertiliser, energy, and packaging remained elevated. Supply chain disruptions from severe weather in key exporting regions like Spain and Morocco also affected the availability of imported berries. Concurrently, strong consumer trends towards fresh, local, and healthy food supported demand for UK-produced strawberries.

Production strawberries in the United Kingdom

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Between 2018 and 2021, the United Kingdom ranked 14th globally in strawberry production.

Top producers of strawberries, 2018-2021

World map of production of strawberries, 2018-2021

Strawberry production in the United Kingdom declined for the second year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 114.6 K t of strawberries, which was 11.6% lower than the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production fell by 18.5%, with an average annual decrease of 6.6%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 143.5 K t, which also saw the largest year-on-year increase of 2.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports strawberries from the United Kingdom

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. In 2021, strawberry exports from the United Kingdom totaled 267 t, marking a sharp decline of 93.3% compared to 2020. The lowest point was in 2021, while exports peaked in 2020 at 3 983 t, representing a 14.9-fold difference between these years. The largest increase occurred in 2020, with a jump of 133.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Germany and the Netherlands were the dominant buyers of strawberries from the United Kingdom, together accounting for 80.6% of total exports by volume. Other destinations each held relatively small shares.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

The export market displayed volatility during the observed period. In 2021, the United Kingdom exported strawberries worth 1.5 M $ US, indicating an abrupt drop of 88.7% compared to 2020. The lowest value was in 2021, while exports reached their highest point in 2020 at 13.5 M $ US, showing an 8.9-fold variation between these years. The largest increase was recorded in 2020, with a surge of 185.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Germany (42.5% of export value), the Netherlands (31.5%), and Ireland (9.6%) were the principal destinations for strawberry exports from the United Kingdom in value terms. Together, these three countries accounted for 83.7% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021

Imports strawberries to the United Kingdom

Imports in kind, t

In 2021, strawberry imports into the United Kingdom reached 64 732 t, representing a notable increase of 10.4% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 29.5%, equating to an average annual rate of 9.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with a slight drop of 0.3%, while the largest increase was in 2019, with a rise of 17.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021, t

Throughout 2018-2021, Spain (60.3% of import volume), the Netherlands (13.6%), and Belgium (7.0%) were the key partners for strawberry imports into the United Kingdom by volume. Combined, these three countries accounted for 80.9% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

Strawberry imports into the United Kingdom increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports stood at 295.0 M $ US, showing a substantial rise of 23.2% over the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 42.5%, which translates to an average annual increase of 12.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Spain (48.2% of import value), the Netherlands (21.2%), and Egypt (8.3%) remained the main sources for strawberry imports into the United Kingdom in value terms. Together, these three markets accounted for 77.8% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021