The reports, published by the EHG (Environmental Horticulture Group) and Oxford Economics predict a 45% growth opportunity for the industry 鈥� with adequate government support.
Oxford Economics鈥� research found that the sector, including UK gardens, landscaping, and arboriculture, contributed 拢38 billion to GDP and supported 722,000 jobs in the past year.
Defra Minister Daniel Zeichner welcomed the launch of the reports at a parliamentary reception last week, attended by over 140 MPs, Peers and industry figures, including the NFU.
Responding to the new analysis, NFU horticulture and potatoes senior policy specialist Christine McDowell said: 鈥淲e welcome this report, which very clearly sets out the significant opportunities for the sector and the NFU was pleased to have been a contributor.
鈥淭he reports show the economic, social and environmental benefits plants and trees can deliver across the political sphere. The government now has the business case to unlock the growth potential for many within of the horticultural sector.
鈥淲e look forward to working with government departments on the green growth many grower businesses have ambitions to achieve.鈥�
Key findings
The reports found that:
- Urban green spaces provided pollution reduction and cooling effects valued at 拢27.4 billion in 2021.
- Urban vegetation helped the UK avoid 拢800.5 million in health-related costs.
- In 2023, public parks, gardens, and green spaces attracted 拢4.2 billion in tourism spending while also proving essential for public health.
- UK households spent around 拢13.2 billion on garden goods and 拢5.8 billion on professional gardening and landscaping services in 2023.
鈥�The government now has the business case to unlock the growth potential for many within of the horticultural sector.鈥�
NFU horticulture and potatoes senior policy specialist Christine McDowell
In particular, the contributions to biodiversity, air quality and urban resilience underscore the sector鈥檚 role in advancing the UK鈥檚 net zero goals.
The EHG also published its 鈥楳ission Green Growth鈥� strategy that underscores the sector鈥檚 importance and calls for collaboration between government, industry, and communities to unlock its full potential.
You can read the reports in full at: .
Time is now for growth
Chair of the EHG Boyd Douglas-Davis said the sector 鈥渋s already a hugely positive economic and environmental contributor to the UK, but it could be worth so much more if we have greater government support鈥�.
鈥淭he time is now if we are to make the most of the next decade of growth opportunities and work with government to create a greener, happier, more environmentally sustainable society and economy.鈥�
Baroness Fookes, co-chair of the APPG Gardening and Horticulture Group and sponsor of the parliamentary reception said she hoped the high turnout of MPs 鈥渋s a sign that there is, at long last, recognition of the vital role environmental horticulture plays not only in the wellbeing of so many individuals but also in preserving our environment and mitigating the worst aspects of climate change鈥�.
