Protected and productive: How greenhouses should deliver UK food security

The United Kingdom produces less than 20% of its fruit and ~50% of its vegetables, leaving it highly import dependent and vulnerable to supply chain disruptions. Our study maps 2085 ha of existing greenhouses, with over 70% being more than 40 years old, and identifies where modern infrastructure could expand production. Achieving 50% self-sufficiency in greenhouse-grown food by 2050 would require a fourfold increase and £14.1 billion investment, with a 3–7-year return via import savings. Expansion would secure year-round supply, reduce waste and create a resilient, climate-ready food system. The evidence is clear: Strategic investment in greenhouses is essential for UK food security.