Booths Boss Warns UK Must Pay More for Food or Risk Losing Farmers and Food Security

Calls for British households to pay more for food are gaining traction among industry leaders concerned for the nation’s long-term food security. Nigel Murray, managing director of northern supermarket chain Booths, insists that undervaluing food is threatening the viability of British agriculture. He points to the fact that many European nations allocate a higher percentage of disposable income to food, which reflects a wider cultural appreciation for its importance.

Murray has seen the industry weather countless crises across his decade at Booths, from Brexit to Covid to the Ukraine conflict. He highlights the havoc caused by climate volatility, referencing 2023 shortages of fruit and vegetables in British supermarkets resulting from extreme weather in Morocco and Spain. Senior food executives have already warned of looming disaster due to global warming and water scarcity, with Murray stressing that heightened volatility is now the norm rather than the exception.

Upcoming government reforms to inheritance tax are also attracting concern. Under new rules, relief for agricultural properties will be capped at £1 million from next April. Murray warns this could force family farm sales to cover tax bills, undermining generational continuity and threatening the fabric of rural communities. Recent modifications to allow relief transfers between spouses or civil partners have done little to restore farmer confidence.

Booths, which operates 25 shops across northern England, focuses on sourcing local produce and processing goods at its own facilities. Official figures show that less than 60 percent of food consumed in Britain was produced domestically in 2023, down significantly from nearly 80 percent in the mid-1980s. Murray blames relentless supermarket price competition and dependence on cheaper imports for this decline in self-sufficiency, warning that the present approach risks diminishing domestic food production further.

He is steadfast in refusing to battle discount chains on price and has distanced Booths from the ultra-processed foods that dominate many competitors. Instead, the retailer doubles down on local sourcing and food quality. Murray also calls for smarter, more targeted support for struggling families. He criticises broad-based measures that fail to deliver adequate help to those in greatest need, arguing that the most vulnerable require significantly more focused assistance than current policy provides.

Established in 1847 and still family-owned, Booths has retained a focus on customer experience and stores rather than online delivery. The chain recently reverted from widespread use of self-checkouts in favour of restoring direct customer interaction, finding this resonates with its clientele. Booths saw turnover rise to £323 million last year, with losses narrowing as the retailer absorbed rising wage and tax costs and navigated a challenging economic climate. Murray expresses confidence in the company’s prospects, asserting a continued commitment to local, natural and high-quality food for the north of England.