Co‑operative Party pushes UK farming co‑ops for growth
SkimNews Take
The proposed co-operative expansion, by localizing supply chains and consolidating purchasing power, would effectively buffer UK farmers from the price volatility and logistical disruptions of global markets.
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- Co‑operative Party released a policy paper urging a shift in perspective to expand agricultural co‑operatives, claiming they can unleash growth and improve farm resilience amid crises like the Middle East conflict.
- UK agriculture includes about 526 agricultural co‑operatives generating over £9 bn in income, with roughly half of farmers members of a co‑op in 2019, yet the report says there is significant room for expansion.
- Defra could formalise a commitment to expanding co‑ops in its forthcoming 25‑year Farming Roadmap for England, aligning with Labour’s 2024 manifesto pledge to double the size of the co‑operative and mutuals sector.
- Co‑operative Group data show UK meat imports rose 15 % year‑on‑year in 2025 to £5 bn, with poultry imports near £2 bn, underscoring reliance on imports and the need for domestic supply resilience.
- Joe Fortune, leader of the Co‑operative Party, called co‑operation strategic resilience and urged government action to secure supply chains, citing volatile fertilizer and energy costs.
- Matt O’Hagan, technical director at ESG Drysdale, said the co‑op model helps farmers plan, manage volatility and gives them a voice in how produce is sold and valued.
- Paul Gerrard, director of public affairs at the Co‑operative Group, noted that co‑ops naturally share costs and spread risk, making day‑to‑day farming more efficient.
Why it matters: Expanding co‑operatives means farmers can pool resources, lower exposure to volatile fertilizer, fuel and feed prices, and retain more profit in rural economies, while the UK reduces its dependence on imported meat and poultry and strengthens food‑security resilience for consumers and policymakers.
