Post-Brexit border checks on fresh produce have been scrapped, and with new SPS agreements, it seems importing tomato plants may become easier. If you wanted to, over the last years, you could have written a daily epistle about the bureaucracy, ever-changing rules, red tape and paperwork UK growers have had to deal with. But it's much more fun to talk to them about the 2025 season, the crop, and—of course—British Tomato Fortnight, which kicked off this week.
"Timing for the campaign is perfect", says Roly Holt from R&L Holt, a family-run tomato farm that has been in business over 45 years. "After an especially dull winter, when earlier planted crops were really needing more light, everything exploded in April. We've seen record picks over the last month",
British Tomato Fortnight 2025 runs from 2nd to 15th June, right at the peak of the UK tomato season. It's a time when British growers highlight their products, all the delicious ways they can be eaten, and emphasize the value of local production. "I think British Tomato Fortnight and the promotions that go along with it really help kickstart the season and remind consumers that homegrown fruit is available," Roly says. "After a long winter with limited UK-grown produce, it helps to have an event that raises awareness."
R&L Holt currently operates across three sites in the Midlands and helps manage La Serra in Throckmorton in collaboration with Evesham Vale Growers. As head grower, Roly has seen a significant shift in both the market and the company's own offerings: from classic varieties in the late '90s, to a wide mix of cherry-on-the-vine, cocktail, large vine, and plum tomatoes in various colours.
He explains that UK growers aim to offer something unique to consumers, which is why the industry continues to shift toward smaller, more flavourful varieties, focusing heavily on the premium vine range. "We need to offer the homegrown market a point of difference. By being able to deliver freshly picked fruit that was packed the same day, we can supply fresh, fully ripe and tasty fruit."
The campaign is backed by the entire UK tomato industry through the British Tomato Growers' Association. Maintaining a strong position in the premium market is important to them, which of course has a financial angle too. While the energy market is more stable than it was a few years ago, thanks to investments in renewable energy, the cost of growing tomatoes in the UK continues to rise.
"All costs are increasing and labour is right at the top, so we continually need to be efficient. Staff retention will help with that", Roly says. "Labour is okay for us because we can offer work all year round. Seasonal staffing is more of a challenge, but we have a high percentage of returnees. It is important to offer good accommodation for staff who need it, depending on how remote your operation is."
So yes, there's plenty to discuss without even touching on the SPS agreement and sanitary and phytosanitary checks. But still—we had to ask. Will SPS bring some long-awaited calm to a market that's faced plenty of turbulence in recent years?
"The SPS agreement sounds good on paper," Roly says. "In practice we hope that for those growers importing tomato plants that the delivery is speedy and any delays do not add any risk to the bio-security and health of the crop."
For more information:
British Tomato Growers Association
www.britishtomatoes.co.uk