UK growers warn ahead of April energy cost shock
19th February 2026
The UK’s horticulture sector has issued an urgent warning that a 60%-80% increase in electricity standing charges from 1st April will force growers to raise prices or halt production, unless the government intervenes within weeks.
The British Tomato Growers’ Association (BTGA) and the Cucumber and Pepper Growers’ Association (CPGA) said that the April deadline is a “hard cliff edge”, with some glasshouse businesses facing up to £1 million per year in additional charges. This will be followed by a similar increase in 2027.
Simon Conway, BTGA chairman, explained: “We are weeks away from unavoidable price rises for British tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers. If the government doesn’t act before the 1st of April, growers will have no choice but to pass these costs on or stop production altogether.”
Conversations with Ofgem and DEFRA are progressing, but the 1st of April deadline is looming, and fast action is essential to avoid a food inflation surge across the sector.
A spokesperson for the associations said that without urgent government intervention, the UK will lose its ability to grow its own protected salads, gifting production to overseas competitors. The Netherlands has built a world‑leading protected horticulture sector because their energy policy supports investment and long‑term planning.
“The UK has the talent and the technology — but not the policy. If ministers want British growers to survive and thrive, they must act now. Delay any longer and we will permanently fall behind our European competitors and become increasingly dependent on foreign imports, commonly in water scarce Southern Europe or North Africa in the winter months.
“The sector remains locked out of the Energy Intensive Industries (EII) exemption scheme due to outdated SIC codes, despite operating at energy intensities comparable to manufacturing sectors receiving a 90% discount.
“Growers say the government could fix the issue quickly by updating eligibility rules – a simple intervention that would immediately ease pressure on UK food production and help prevent further food inflation.”
Mr Conway added that this crisis is “preventable”. “However, without urgent action, domestic production will shrink, imports will rise, and consumers will pay the price,” he concluded.
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