UK: Strawberry Propagation Project Strengthens with New Members

Why It Matters

Replacing imported strawberry propagules with UK‑grown, disease‑free stock could increase domestic yields, cut import costs and enhance the competitiveness of British soft‑fruit growers.

Key Takeaways

• InnoPhyte and Flex Farming join EMQ+ consortium.
• Project targets replacing 85% imported strawberry propagules with UK-grown.
• Vertical farms could cut UK strawberry imports worth £293m (~$372m).
• Disease‑free propagules aim to boost yields and lower pesticide use.
• Final year focuses on commercialising high‑health propagation for growers.

Pulse Analysis

The United Kingdom imports roughly 43.5% of its strawberry market, amounting to about £293 million (approximately $372 million) in 2024. This reliance on foreign starter plants exposes growers to supply volatility and disease pressure. The EMQ+ project, backed by DEFRA and Innovate UK, seeks to disrupt this dynamic by developing a domestic pipeline of high‑health strawberry propagules grown in total controlled environment agriculture (TCEA). By leveraging vertical‑farm technology, the consortium can produce year‑round, disease‑free seedlings, directly addressing the sector’s most pressing challenges.

TCEA offers precise control over temperature, humidity and light spectra, creating optimal conditions for flower induction and plant development. The resulting propagules exhibit markedly lower incidences of pathogens such as powdery mildew, which traditionally erode yields and increase pesticide usage. Early trial data suggest that these controlled‑environment seedlings can deliver higher fruit productivity per square metre, enabling growers to achieve more output within existing greenhouse footprints. Moreover, the reduction in chemical inputs aligns with sustainability goals and may open premium market channels for cleaner, traceable produce.

The addition of InnoPhyte Consulting and Flex Farming injects critical commercial and scientific expertise into the final phase of EMQ+. InnoPhyte will steer knowledge‑exchange and exploitation activities, while Flex Farming brings hands‑on experience scaling TCEA strawberry production. Their involvement accelerates the transition from research to market, positioning UK growers to capture a larger share of the domestic strawberry market and reduce reliance on imports. Successful commercialisation could generate lasting economic benefits, reinforce the UK’s ag‑tech leadership, and set a template for other high‑value crops to adopt vertical‑farm propagation methods.