Why is there so much horticulture in West Sussex?West Sussex is one of Britain's premier glasshouse areas producing salads, herbs, cut flowers, pot plants and hardy nursery stock that are enjoyed by consumers nationwide. The mild climate and high light levels are the reasons for West Sussex enjoying a reputation for excellence in commercial horticulture for well over a century. StatisticsThe members of the Association are generally producers of protected crops, i.e. those crops grown under glass or polythene. About a quarter of the membership are growing hardy nursery stock which whilst the crop starts off under glass or polythene it is hardened off outside. Some members produce crops in the fields - lettuce, etc.The area of protected horticulture in West Sussex is approximately 200 hectares. This is approximately 10% of the overall UK protected crop production of around 2000 hectares) The below link will take you to the Defra site 1998 census results Defra Site 1998 census results We estimate the combined turnovers of the various companies involved in horticulture in West Sussex are in the region of £300 million. This figure is based on the value of the goods as they are sold off the nurseries, not the eventual retail value which would be much greater. The total wage roll paid by these companies is in the region of £30 million employing approximately 2500 persons (full time equivalent). The Changes in HorticultureThe face of horticulture has substantially changed in West Sussex over the last two decades. At one time the industry consisted largely of the smaller family run nurseries. Some of these businesses have struggled to keep up with the pressures on price within what is an extremely competitive market place, especially in recent years where the strength of the pound has caused an influx of cheap produce entering the market place from outside of the UK, the effect of which is to severely depress the UK market prices. This has unfortunately meant a reduction in the number of the smaller nurseries as they have ceased business. We do however see some fantastic success stories within the area with certain companies having instigated expansion programmes in the last decade in order to take advantage of the corresponding economies of scale and hence improve their ability to produce crops at an ever lower unit price and yet maintain the quality demanded by today's consumer.Despite the loss of the smaller nurseries, horticulture within the area has expanded over the period and continues to do so with new glasshouses being erected by existing companies and other companies moving in to the area. As to how much it will grow — well that's anyone's guess. We believe that we will continue to see slow steady growth in the area, although the rate of this would be dependent on the general global economic slow down and the effect that this will have on the strength of the pound in comparison to the Euro (where much of the competition is based). A weakening of the pound will help return nurseries to profitability and allow them to invest once again in their businesses. If the strength of the pound continues then the picture is a little bleaker. Learn more about a selection of our membershipIn order that you may learn a little more about the activities of members of the West Sussex Growers' Association, a few of our members are detailed below along with some information about their companies. Some have included links to their own websites.
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Our Members |