Half of British fruit and vegetable farmers say it's likely they will go out of business in the next 12 months, and many blame supermarkets and their buyers as a leading threat to their livelihoods, according to new research. Supermarkets and their buyers are accused of not paying on time, pursuing cheaper food alternatives from overseas, and cancelling or changing orders at the last minute, with farmers also criticising fruit and veg specifications for being too hard and complex.

Half of British fruit and vegetable farmers say it's likely they will go out of business in the next 12 months, and many blame supermarkets and their buyers as a leading threat to their livelihoods, according to new research. Supermarkets and their buyers are accused of not paying on time, pursuing cheaper food alternatives from overseas, and cancelling or changing orders at the last minute, with farmers also criticising fruit and veg specifications for being too hard and complex.