# Current and Emergent Economic Impacts of Covid-19 and Brexit on UK Fresh Produce and Horticultural Businesses

**Authors:** Lilian Korir, Archie Drake, Martin Collison, Tania Carolina Camacho-Villa, Elizabeth Sklar, Simon Pearson  
**arXiv:** [2101.11551](https://arxiv.org/abs/2101.11551)  
**Date:** 2021-01-27  
**Summary page:** https://www.summarizepaper.com/en/paper/2101.11551v1/

## Key points

- The study investigates the economic impacts of Covid-19 and Brexit on UK horticultural businesses.
- Horticultural businesses are particularly vulnerable due to their reliance on labor and imports.
- A rapid survey was used to gather information from 19 producers, revealing that a significant majority either plan to scale back production in 2021 or have been unable to make plans due to uncertainty.
- The sector faces profound labor supply challenges, which has implications for labor cost and quality.
- Automation is recognized as the long-term future for the industry but currently plays a limited role in addressing the workforce shortage due to economic and socio-political uncertainties.
- Policy recommendations are discussed, including changes in labor schemes and policies that could help mitigate potential losses caused by these events.
- This paper provides valuable insights into how disruptive events like Covid-19 and Brexit can affect horticultural businesses in both the short term and long term.

## Summary

This study investigates the economic impacts of Covid-19 and Brexit on UK horticultural businesses, a sector that is particularly vulnerable due to its reliance on labor and imports. The study used a rapid survey to gather information from 19 producers, revealing that a significant majority either plan to scale back production in 2021 or have been unable to make plans due to uncertainty. The study also highlights the profound labor supply challenges faced by the sector, which has implications for labor cost and quality. Although automation is recognized as the long-term future for the industry, it currently plays a limited role in addressing the workforce shortage due to economic and socio-political uncertainties. The authors discuss policy recommendations and future investigative intentions while suggesting methodological and other discussion points for the research community. This paper provides valuable insights into how disruptive events like Covid-19 and Brexit can affect horticultural businesses in both the short term and long term. It emphasizes the need for solutions such as automation and changes in labor schemes and policies that could help mitigate potential losses caused by these events.