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Food sector workforce in Great Britain grows to 4.38 million amid ongoing labor shortages, says report
Food sector workforce in Great Britain grows to 4.38 million amid ongoing labor shortages, says report
By: Nii Ammui Fio | 2 mins read
The UK Food Security Report 2024 reveals that the workforce in Great Britain’s food sector has increased to 4.38 million in 2023, reflecting a continued upward trend.
Despite this growth, the report highlights significant shortages of skilled workers in key areas, including seafood and the veterinary profession, due to restrictive post-Brexit labor policies and the ongoing reliance on migrant workers.
From 2021 to 2023, the food sector workforce grew by 340,000, rising from 4.04 million to 4.38 million. While this is a positive sign, challenges in attracting labor to crucial areas such as horticulture and seafood continue to hinder the sector’s ability to meet demand.
"The workforce in the food sector in Great Britain increased from 4.04 million to 4.38 million, showing a steady upward trend. However, this does not show shortages in skills in key areas of the UK’s food supply chain such as the seafood sector and the veterinary profession," the report states.
The report also emphasizes the increasing difficulty in filling these gaps, a situation exacerbated by the UK’s departure from the European Union, which has made it harder for EU workers to enter the country. This has led to greater strain on the domestic labor market, especially in sectors heavily reliant on migrant workers.
In addition to workforce concerns, the report covers other significant factors affecting food security, such as the aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. This geopolitical development led to spikes in energy and fertilizer prices, which in turn drove up food inflation in the UK. While global food prices began to fall by the end of 2022, food inflation remained high through most of 2023, though it started to ease in the latter half of the year.
The report also addresses the risks posed by climate change, noting increased extreme weather events that threaten agricultural water availability. It highlights the need for continued adaptation strategies to safeguard the sector against these challenges.
Despite these hurdles, the UK food sector has demonstrated resilience, with no sustained food shortages over the last three years. However, the report underscores the need for further investment and adaptation to ensure that the UK remains secure in its food supply amid growing challenges.
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