Industry Statistics and Trends
Market size and recent performance (2015-2030)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 2.3 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated £1.3bn in 2025.
Trends and Insights
Living wage hike and soaring energy bills squeeze profit
- National Living Wage (NLW) increases are hitting fruit and vegetable retailers hard, driving up day-to-day running expenses and putting pressure on take-home cash. The NLW rose by 6.7% to £12.21 per hour for workers aged 21 and over in April 2025, while the average non-domestic electricity price reached 26p per kilowatt-hour (kWh) at the end of 2024, about 75% higher than in early 2021, according to the ONS. Most fruit and vegetable retailers rely heavily on staff working at or just above the minimum wage, so any rise in the NLW has a significant effect on overall wage costs. These cost hikes have squeezed profit at a difficult time for the sector. The British Retail Consortium estimates that the latest payroll changes and higher employer National Insurance will add about £7 billion to retail payrolls in 2025.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2025-2030)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Immigration rules and keep produce costs under pressure
- Fruit and vegetable retailers in the UK face greater labour and import challenges as government policy changes make it harder for producers to recruit overseas workers to harvest fruit and vegetables. The Home Office raised the Seasonal Worker visa fee to £319, reduced the 2025 quota to 43,000 and lifted the Skilled Worker minimum salary to £38,700. This change primarily affects producers; however, retailers still feel the impact because their supply chains rely on producers who need migrant labour to harvest and pack fresh produce. According to the National Farmers' Union, UK citizens account for just 3.3% of the seasonal agricultural workforce and the industry remains highly dependent on overseas labour.
Biggest companies in the Fruit & Vegetable Retailers in the UK
| Company | Market Share (%)
2026 | Revenue (£m)
2026 |
|---|---|---|
Riverford Organic Farmers Ltd | 41.5 | |
A1 Veg Ltd | 10.0 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 2 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Fresh fruit, Other fruit and Fresh vegetables. Fresh fruit is the largest segment of the Fruit & Vegetable Retailers in the UK.
Trends and Insights
Fresh vegetable price growth eased in 2024, but volatility persists
- From April 2022 to March 2023, the average UK household spent £4.95 a week on fresh vegetables, according to the ONS, making them the third-largest grocery item. This strong demand has made fresh vegetables a reliable sales driver for retailers.
- More insights available in the full report
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Companies in this industry specialise in the sale of fresh fruit and vegetables and prepared and preserved fruit and vegetables. Conventional supermarket chains that retail fruit and vegetables aren’t included in this industry.
What's included in this industry?
Products and services covered in the Fruit & Vegetable Retailers industry in the United Kingdom include Fresh fruit, Fresh vegetables and Prepared and preserved fruit and vegetables.Companies
Companies covered in the Fruit & Vegetable Retailers industry in the United Kingdom include Riverford Organic Farmers Ltd and A1 Veg Ltd.Purchase this report to view all 2 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
Related terms covered in the Fruit & Vegetable Retailers industry in the United Kingdom include organic food, yield and box scheme.Industry Code
SIC 47.21 - Fruit & Vegetable Retailers in the UK
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Soaring input costs are eroding profit. Rising wages, energy bills and payroll taxes are outpacing sales, forcing many to cut staff hours or adopt cost-saving measures, with ...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Employees, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Businesses, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Profit, including historical (2015-2025)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Fresh produce demand remains strong, but supply and prices are volatile. Record rainfall and unpredictable harvests drive up prices and cause patchy supply, forcing fruit and...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2025
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2025
- Major market segmentation in 2025
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
London’s wealth and dense population underpin its dominance in fruit and vegetable retail. High disposable incomes and efficient supply chains support thriving shops, but soa...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2025
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2025
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2025
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2025
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2025
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
High fragmentation and low barriers to entry keep competition fierce. With thousands of independent shops and easy market entry, no single brand dominates, ensuring a crowded...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2020-2025
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Riverford’s employee ownership and climate focus drive its success. Staff ownership, fair pay and climate-positive investments strengthen Riverford’s culture, improve product...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2021 through 2025
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2025
- Overview of Riverford Organic Farmers Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of A1 Veg Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Riverford Organic Farmers Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for A1 Veg Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Industry bodies and charities support retailers through guidance and advocacy. Organisations like Freshfel Europe and The Food Foundation provide resources, boost demand and ...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2015-2030)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2015-2030)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Rising costs are outpacing revenue growth, constraining profit. Increases in wages, energy and property costs have pushed profit below the broader retail sector, with little ...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Liquidity Ratios (2019-2023)
- Coverage Ratios (2019-2023)
- Leverage Ratios (2019-2023)
- Operating Ratios (2019-2023)
- Assets (2019-2023)
- Liabilities (2019-2023)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Employee (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- Employees per Establishment (2015-2030)
- Employees per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- Average Wage (2015-2030)
- Wages/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- IVA/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Imports/Demand (2015-2030)
- Exports/Revenue (2015-2030)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2015-2030)
- IVA (2015-2030)
- Establishments (2015-2030)
- Enterprises (2015-2030)
- Employment (2015-2030)
- Exports (2015-2030)
- Imports (2015-2030)
- Wages (2015-2030)
Top Questions Answered
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Fruit & Vegetable Retailers industry in the United Kingdom in 2025?
The market size of the Fruit & Vegetable Retailers industry in the United Kingdom is £1.3bn in 2025.
How many businesses are there in the Fruit & Vegetable Retailers industry in the United Kingdom in 2025?
There are 2,376 businesses in the Fruit & Vegetable Retailers industry in the United Kingdom, which has declined at a CAGR of 1.0 % between 2020 and 2025.
How may import tariffs affect the Fruit & Vegetable Retailers industry in the United Kingdom?
The Fruit & Vegetable Retailers industry in the United Kingdom is unlikely to be materially impacted by import tariffs with imports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
How may export tariffs affect the Fruit & Vegetable Retailers industry in the United Kingdom?
The Fruit & Vegetable Retailers industry in the United Kingdom is unlikely to be materially impacted by export tariffs with exports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
Has the Fruit & Vegetable Retailers industry in the United Kingdom grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Fruit & Vegetable Retailers industry in the United Kingdom has been growing at a CAGR of 2.3 % between 2020 and 2025.
What is the forecast growth of the Fruit & Vegetable Retailers industry in the United Kingdom over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Fruit & Vegetable Retailers industry in the United Kingdom is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Fruit & Vegetable Retailers industry in the United Kingdom?
The biggest companies operating in the Fruit & Vegetable Retailers industry in the United Kingdom are Riverford Organic Farmers Ltd and A1 Veg Ltd
What does the Fruit & Vegetable Retailers industry in the United Kingdom include?
Fresh fruit and Fresh vegetables are part of the Fruit & Vegetable Retailers industry in the United Kingdom.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Fruit & Vegetable Retailers industry in the United Kingdom?
The company holding the most market share in the Fruit & Vegetable Retailers industry in the United Kingdom is Riverford Organic Farmers Ltd.
How competitive is the Fruit & Vegetable Retailers industry in the United Kingdom?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Fruit & Vegetable Retailers industry in the United Kingdom.
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the UK include:
- Office for National Statistics
- Office for Budget Responsibility
- Bank of England
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
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