Cheers to British farmers! Environment Secretary Steve Barclay has thrown a big thank you to UK farmers, food producers, and retailers for delivering all the festive essentials for Christmas dinners nationwide.
Homegrown Christmas Classics
- Britain’s Best on the Table: From Scottish salmon and Norfolk turkeys to Yorkshire sprouts and Kent apples, the UK’s festive spread is rich with homegrown delights.
- Turkey Takeover: Expect 8-9 million turkeys on UK tables this Christmas – and 90% are British-bred, says the British Poultry Council.
- Veg and Cheese Favours: Last Christmas, two-thirds of all cheese and veggies bought were British, according to Kantar data. Brits love local produce!
Christmas Crunching the Numbers
- Sprouts & Sauce: Over 25,000 tonnes of British Brussels sprouts and 3,500 tonnes of cranberry sauce are snapped up each year, with nearly half consumed at Christmas.
- Festive Puds & Pies: Brits splashed out £45 million on 19 million Christmas puddings and a whopping £132 million on 98 million packs of mince pies last year. Talk about sweet traditions!
Voices from the Frontline
- Steve Barclay’s Shoutout: The Environment Secretary praised the round-the-clock dedication of farmers and producers to supply top-quality, high-welfare festive fare. “Let’s recognise their efforts this Christmas,” he urged.
- Food & Drink Federation Cheers: Jim Bligh applauded the hard graft of the industry pros keeping Christmas tables stocked with beloved classics, sending festive wishes their way.
Feasting With Gratitude
As families across the UK gear up for their Christmas dinner, it’s clear these festive feasts wouldn’t be possible without Britain’s food heroes. This season, raise a glass to the farmers and producers who make Christmas dinner truly special.
