British tomatoes are the pick of the crop
British Tomato Fortnight 2025 is celebrated from 2 to 15 June – marking peak tomato season in the UK.
In Britain we eat around 500,000 tonnes of fresh tomatoes every year – the equivalent of two tomatoes per person per week, or more than 100 per year. This is still lower than in other European countries, especially those in the Mediterranean, but it’s rising fast.
Of all the tomatoes we buy in the UK, British growers currently produce around 70,000 tonnes. The rest are imported (some 400,000 tonnes), mostly from the Netherlands, Morocco and Spain.
British tomato cultivation
British growers are committed to producing more tomatoes in the UK to meet the increasing homegrown demand and to reduce the need for imported produce.
Consumers are not just buying more tomatoes, they’re also choosing to spend a little more on premium varieties, such as vine-ripened tomatoes. Vine tomatoes now account for around two-thirds of the UK tomato production area.
Key production areas in the UK are the Isle of Wight and East Kent, with other cultivated areas in Norfolk, Sussex And Cambridgeshire.
Thanet Earth, a major tomato producer, based in East Kent, uses three large glasshouses for cultivation, producing 400 million tomatoes annually from 450,000 plants. They grow only ‘premium’ varieties, and their tomatoes are usually sold on the vine.
Isle of Wight Tomatoes cultivates heritage tomatoes in the Arreton Valley, combining traditional methods with modern innovation. Varieties include Coeur de boeuf, Kumato and cherry vine tomatoes.
The British tomato season runs from June to October, when tomatoes are naturally ripe and ready to harvest, so this is the optimum time to buy British tomatoes. However, producers are facing challenging times this year with the driest spring in 69 years forcing them to irrigate crops far earlier than usual.
How sustainable are British-grown tomatoes?
Some farmers produce British tomatoes all year round with the help of heated greenhouses and artificial lighting, like Thanet Earth.
The use of artificial lighting allows growers to extend their production cycles beyond the traditional growing seasons, enabling them to supply the market with fresh produce throughout the year. This not only increases profitability but also ensures a consistent supply of high-quality produce for consumers. But does all this energy consumption mean a high carbon footprint for British tomatoes?
While High-Intensity Discharge (HID) lighting has traditionally been used in UK agriculture, they produce a broad spectrum of light, making it harder to optimise conditions for specific plant types. Tomato producers are increasingly turning to LED lighting for its sustainability and efficiency. LEDs offer significant energy savings, longer lifespans than HID lights, alongside adjustable light spectra, making them a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective choice in indoor horticulture.
Studies also show that LED grow lights improve the taste, texture, and colour intensity of tomato crops.
Growing British tomatoes with less water and lower emissions
Tomatoes need lots of fresh water. The amount of water required to produce 1 kg of fresh tomatoes varies greatly depending on climate and growing method (i.e. open field/glasshouse, heated or not, growing medium). Glasshouses with advanced control and an open irrigation system can use 22 litres/kg. This reduces to 15 litres/kg when using a closed hydroponic system. However, water use in a completely closed greenhouse can be reduced to just 4 litres/kg.
UK growers continue to invest and innovate to produce food in the most sustainable way, using technology to save energy, water and reduce carbon emissions. Thanet Earth, for example, uses combined heat and power generators, to send excess power back to the grid.
However, the overall carbon (and water) footprint of the tomatoes you buy for your catering operation should always be top of mind. It is important to buy British tomatoes in June, when they’re at their seasonal best and you’re supporting local producers, but in January, go for Spanish tomatoes – ignore food miles and think of the energy that has been used to produce the fruit.
How nutritious are British-grown tomatoes?
Tomatoes are a powerhouse of nutrition, according to research by the University of Portsmouth.
High in lycopene and other health-enhancing compounds, tomatoes may significantly increase your defences against some cancers and heart disease, as well as other chronic diseases.
They’re packed full of vitamins A, C and E. Combined, these can help keep your skin, bones and teeth in tiptop condition, as well as boosting your immune system and helping to maintain a healthy gut microbiome.
Tomatoes are a fabulous source of flavonoids and carotenoids, antioxidants that can help to fight off harmful free radicals in the body.