Some years ago we were being advised to buy UK-grown fresh produce to avoid the 'food miles' associated with importing air-freighted fruit and vegetables due to concerns over how this was contributing to the release of CO2 emissions. But it seems that that these concerns were far too simplistic. A true assessment of the 'footprint' of foodstuffs requires an audit of every aspect of the associated activities, from sowing the seed to consuming the produce.
Research led by Bangor University into the social and environmental benefits of food grown locally and overseas, was the first ever rigorous life cycle assessment of the entire crop production chain included farming, transport, storage and cooking.
Working with Surrey University, research by the team at the University's School of Environment, Natural Resources & Geography concluded that agricultural inputs outweigh transportation considerations alone. There was no straightforward relationship between the transport distance and the overall environmental impacts of the commercial life-cycle of crops.
Although intercontinental transport of vegetables contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emission, growing vegetables in UK greenhouses through the winter was found to be less energy efficient than transporting them from Spain where they were grown outside.