UK increasingly reliant on fruit and veg from climate-hit countries – study

Researchers say trend could lead to supply problems and hinder efforts to promote healthy eating

The UK is increasingly reliant on fruit and vegetables imported from countries most vulnerable to the effects of the climate crisis, which could lead to supply problems, experts say.

A study published in Nature Food on Monday found that the proportion of fruit and vegetables supplies in the UK that was grown domestically dropped from 42% in 1987 to 22% in 2013. At the same time, the proportion imported from climate-vulnerable" countries - those worst hit by climate breakdown - increased from 20% to 32%.