United Kingdom Food Security Report 2021: An Analysis of UK Food Supply Sources and the Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the United Kingdom’s food supply sources, framed within the context of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It examines domestic production, international trade, resource management, and environmental sustainability to assess the UK’s progress towards achieving food security. The analysis aligns key indicators with SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

Domestic Production and Supply: Foundations for SDG 2 (Zero Hunger)

Achieving SDG 2 requires resilient food production systems. The UK’s food security is built upon a combination of strong domestic production and diverse international trade, ensuring a consistent supply of food.

UK Production Capability and Self-Sufficiency

• The UK’s food production to supply ratio was 60% for all food in 2020, a figure that has remained stable for two decades. This indicates a strong domestic capacity to meet a significant portion of national food needs.
• For indigenous food types that can be commercially grown in the UK, the self-sufficiency ratio is higher, at approximately 75%.
• Actual consumption of UK-produced food is approximately 54%, with the balance being met by imports to satisfy consumer demand for variety and year-round availability.

Agricultural Land Use and Sustainable Management (SDG 15)

• In 2020, 71% of the UK’s land area (17.3 million hectares) was dedicated to agricultural production, highlighting the critical role of land management in achieving food security.
• The majority of this land (72%) is grassland, suitable for grazing, which supports the livestock sector but underscores the limitations for crop expansion. This aligns with SDG 15’s goal of sustainably managing terrestrial ecosystems.
• Climate change poses a significant threat to land quality. Projections indicate a potential reduction in ‘best and most versatile’ arable farmland from 38.1% to as low as 11.4% by 2050 under a medium emissions scenario, directly challenging the long-term viability of domestic production and the achievement of SDG 2.

International Supply Sources and Trade Resilience

A diversified supply chain is essential for food security, mitigating risks from localised disruptions and supporting global partnerships for sustainable development (SDG 17).

UK Food Imports and Exports

• In 2020, the UK imported 46% of the food it consumed, with a total import value of £48 billion for food, feed, and drink (FFD).
• Supply sources are diverse, with no single country providing more than 11% of imports. This diversity enhances resilience against shocks.
• The European Union remains the primary source of FFD imports, with four countries (Netherlands, Ireland, Germany, France) accounting for 39% of imports by value in 2020.

Sector-Specific Production and Sustainability Challenges

1. Grains (SDG 2): The UK is largely self-sufficient in grains, producing over 90% of its wheat and over 100% of oats and barley. However, yields are vulnerable to climate change, as demonstrated by a 40% drop in wheat yields in 2020 due to extreme weather, a direct threat to SDG 2.
2. Livestock (SDG 2 & SDG 12): The UK produces volumes of meat, milk, and eggs roughly equivalent to consumption. This sector is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, presenting a challenge for aligning food production with SDG 13 (Climate Action).
3. Fruit and Vegetables (SDG 2): The UK is heavily reliant on imports, producing only 16% of its fruit and 54% of its vegetables. Supply is concentrated from the EU, but concerns over water availability in key sourcing regions like the Mediterranean highlight vulnerabilities linked to SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).
4. Fish (SDG 14): The UK is a net importer of fish, driven by consumer preferences for species not commonly caught in UK waters. Achieving SDG 14 (Life Below Water) requires sustainable management of both domestic and imported fish stocks, which are threatened by climate change and overfishing.

Resource Management and Waste Reduction: Progress Towards SDG 12

SDG 12 calls for ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns. This involves optimising the use of essential inputs and minimising waste throughout the food system.

Essential Inputs and Production Efficiency

• Agriculture relies on inputs such as fertilisers, pesticides, and animal feed, which have significant economic and environmental costs. Animal feed is the largest single cost (£5.6 billion in 2020).
• Fertiliser and pesticide use contributes to water pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, creating tension with SDG 6 and SDG 13. Reducing reliance on these inputs is key to sustainable intensification.

Food Waste Across the Supply Chain (SDG 12.3)

• The UK has a commitment to halve per capita food waste by 2030 (SDG Target 12.3).
• An estimated 3.6 million tonnes of food is wasted or becomes surplus in primary production annually, representing 6-7% of the total harvest.
• Post-farmgate, an estimated 9.5 million tonnes of food is wasted, with households being the largest contributor (70%). This waste represents a significant loss of resources and contributes to unnecessary carbon emissions.
• While long-term trends show a reduction in household food waste, levels in 2021 returned to pre-pandemic figures, indicating the need for sustained action to meet SDG 12.3.

Long-Term Sustainability and Climate Action (SDG 13 & SDG 15)

The long-term security of the UK’s food supply is intrinsically linked to the health of its natural capital and its response to climate change.

Soil Health and Sustainable Agriculture (SDG 15.3)

• Soil degradation is a critical threat, estimated to cost £1.2 billion annually and reduce the productive capacity of UK agriculture. This directly undermines SDG 15.3, which aims to combat desertification and restore degraded land and soil.
• New environmental land management schemes are being introduced across the UK to incentivise sustainable farming practices, protect natural capital, and improve soil health.

Climate Change Impacts and Environmental Pressures

• Climate Risks (SDG 13): Climate change is the most significant long-term risk to domestic production. Increased frequency of extreme weather events like droughts and floods directly impacts crop yields and livestock health. Projections show increased risks of heat stress for livestock, soil erosion from intense rainfall, and the proliferation of new pests and diseases.
• Greenhouse Gas Emissions (SDG 13): Agriculture accounted for 11% of total UK greenhouse gas emissions in 2019. While emissions have fallen since 1990, progress has stalled since 2008, highlighting the challenge of decoupling food production from climate impact.
• Water Quality (SDG 6): Agriculture is a major source of water pollution, with runoff from fertilisers and manure contributing to 61% of nitrogen in rivers. This impacts aquatic ecosystems and increases the cost of treating drinking water.
• Biodiversity (SDG 15): The Farmland Bird Index, a proxy for biodiversity, shows a decline to approximately 30% of 1970 levels. This indicates a significant loss of biodiversity, which threatens the ecosystem services essential for sustainable food production and the achievement of SDG 15.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the UK Food Security Report

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger

  The entire report is centered on food security, which is the core of SDG 2. It analyzes the UK’s capacity to produce food, its reliance on imports, the stability of its food supply, and the sustainability of its agricultural systems. It directly addresses the need to ensure a stable and sufficient supply of food.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  The report dedicates significant attention to food waste and losses at all stages of the supply chain, from primary production to household consumption. This aligns directly with SDG 12’s goal of ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns, particularly the target to halve food waste.

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  The article identifies climate change as the “biggest medium to long term risk” to the UK’s domestic food production. It provides detailed analysis and case studies on the impacts of climate change, such as extreme weather events, on crop yields and livestock, and discusses agriculture’s contribution to greenhouse gas emissions.

• SDG 15: Life on Land

  The report examines the environmental impact of agriculture on terrestrial ecosystems. It discusses issues such as soil degradation, biodiversity loss (measured by the Farmland Bird Index), and the sustainable management of land through new environmental schemes.

• SDG 14: Life Below Water

  The section on fish and fisheries addresses the sustainability of marine resources. It discusses the management of fish stocks, the balance of imports and exports, and the risks posed by climate change and overfishing to marine ecosystems, connecting to the goal of conserving and sustainably using the oceans.

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

  The article discusses the impact of agriculture on water resources, including water pollution from fertilizer and manure run-off and the pressures of water abstraction for irrigation. This relates to the goal of ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger

   • Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production… and that progressively improve land and soil quality. The report extensively covers sustainable agriculture, soil health, and the resilience of food production in the face of risks like climate change. It mentions new environmental land management schemes designed to incentivize sustainable farming.
   • Target 2.5: By 2020, maintain the genetic diversity of seeds, cultivated plants and farmed and domesticated animals… The report mentions Defra’s support for Genetic Improvement Networks (GINs) which aim to improve the productivity, sustainability, and resilience of UK crops, including enhancing resilience to climate change risks.

2. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

   • Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources. The report discusses the use of essential inputs like fertilizers, pesticides, and water, and the environmental impacts of their use, implying the need for more efficient and sustainable management.
   • Target 12.3: By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains. The article explicitly references the UK’s commitment to this target and provides detailed data on food waste across the entire supply chain, from farm to household.

3. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. The report details how climate change impacts UK agriculture through drought, flooding, and heat stress, and discusses the need for adaptation to ensure future food security. The 40% drop in wheat yields in 2020 due to weather is cited as a key example.

4. SDG 14: Life Below Water

   • Target 14.4: By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing… and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks. The report assesses the sustainability of fish stocks that supply the UK market, noting that most are “well managed,” and mentions the UK’s commitment to fishing within sustainable limits under the Fisheries Act 2020.

5. SDG 15: Life on Land

   • Target 15.3: By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil… The report highlights that soil degradation, erosion, and compaction are significant issues in the UK, costing an estimated £1.2 billion annually and reducing the capacity of soils to produce food.
   • Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity… The article uses the Farmland Bird Index to show a sharp decline in biodiversity on UK farms since 1970, indicating the degradation of farmland habitats.

6. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

   • Target 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution… The report states that agriculture is a major contributor to water pollution, accounting for “around 61% of the total nitrogen in river water” and contributing to 28% of failures to meet water quality standards.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For SDG 2 (Zero Hunger)

   • Food production to supply ratio: The report states this is 60% for all food and 76% for indigenous food types, serving as a measure of self-sufficiency.
   • Agricultural land use: 71% of UK land area is used for agricultural production, with breakdowns for cropland and grassland.
   • Crop and livestock yields: Specific figures are given, such as wheat yields (around 8 tonnes per hectare), milk production (227L per person), and meat production (61kg per person).

2. For SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production)

   • Food waste volumes: The report quantifies waste at multiple stages: 3.6 million tonnes in primary production, 9.5 million tonnes post-farmgate, with 70% of that from households.
   • Percentage of food wasted: For key products like bread, chicken, milk, and potatoes, household waste was around 20% between 2018-2021.
   • Fertiliser and pesticide use: Data is provided on the volume and cost of inputs, such as £1.1 billion for fertilisers and over £1 billion for pesticides in 2020.

3. For SDG 13 (Climate Action)

   • Greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture: Agriculture accounted for 11% of total UK greenhouse gas emissions in 2019.
   • Impact on crop yields: The report cites a 40% reduction in wheat production in 2020 due to extreme weather.
   • Climate risk projections: The case study includes projected increases in risk for thermal heat stress in cattle (over 1000% in South West England) and soil erosion risk.

4. For SDG 14 (Life Below Water)

   • Fish stock health assessments: The report provides a summary of stock health for key imported species (e.g., Cod from Iceland and Norway is “healthy”).
   • Fish trade balance: The UK imports around 721,000 tonnes and exports 452,000 tonnes of fish, making it a net importer.

5. For SDG 15 (Life on Land)

   • Soil degradation metrics: The report estimates the economic cost of soil degradation at £1.2 billion per year and states that 3.9 million hectares are at risk of soil compaction.
   • Farmland Bird Index: This is used as a proxy for biodiversity, showing a decline to about 30% of 1970 levels for specialist species.
   • Area of organic farming: In 2020, organically farmed land represented 2.8% of the total UK farmed area.

6. For SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation)

   • Water pollution from agriculture: Agriculture is cited as the source of 61% of total nitrogen and 28% of total phosphorus in river water.
   • Water body status: The report mentions that 86% of rivers do not meet “good ecological status.”

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: gov.uk