The very low level of self sufficiency in fruit for the UK reflects our preference for exotic fruits and the lack of competitiveness of our own native varieties.

Self sufficiency in vegetables continues to decline as shoppers seek more out of season produce and supermarkets import overseas produce in preference to that locally grown.

Potato supply and demand are reasonably balanced with out of season earlies accounting for much of the import demand.

Sugar beet production has been heavily supported through the European Sugar Regime. With significant reform of this now underway it will be interesting to see how far self sufficiency declines.

The UK is broadly self sufficient in oilseed rape. However, with the advent of use of oilseed rape for biodiesel, the whole European supply demand equation is about to undergo significant change.

One of the few agricultural commodities where the UK is a net exporter providing some relief to the balance of trade.

Another crop producing a net exportable surplus, albeit on a much smaller scale than wheat.

The area of oats grown in the UK is relatively small. However, total output normally exceeds domestic demand.

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