A government visa scheme for seasonal horticultural workers has been expanded for next year - but farm leaders warned the move has come too late for some struggling growers.

Defra has confirmed that 45,000 six-month visas will be available for seasonal workers in 2023 - an increase of 15,000 compared to the allocation at the start of 2022 - with the potential to increase by a further 10,000 "if necessary".

The government says the move will "provide certainty for farmers" to help tackle labour shortages and rising costs.

But farmers warned it was already too late to prevent some growers cutting back on fruit and vegetable production.

Tom Bradshaw, who farms near Colchester and is deputy president of the National Farmers' Union, said: "This increase in visas is a positive step forward and will be a relief for many growers who are currently struggling to find the skilled workforce needed to continue producing the nation’s fruit, vegetables and ornamentals.

"For some growers, this announcement will have come too late with some already having made the difficult decision to reduce production in the coming season.

"Growers have faced a really tough year with soaring energy and fertiliser costs only adding to the pressure caused by significant workforce shortages, which resulted in £60m of fruit and vegetables being wasted in the first half of 2022 alone. And we expect the coming 2023 season to be equally challenging.

"Given the significant pressure growers are currently under, it’s important that any decision to release the further 10,000 visas is timely and made ahead of the peak season."

Farming minister Mark Spencer said: "Seasonal labour has long been part of the UK’s rural economy, and while it is right that we offer long term support to increase the use of domestic labour, we also need to support businesses on the back of what has been a challenging year for food producers.

"That’s why we’ve listened to the UK’s horticulture sector, and today’s announcement will provide our growers with the labour they need to bring in the harvest and continue to put their produce on our tables."

Following the end of free movement of workers from the EU after Brexit, the government says it is also investing to boost automation in the food sector, and aims to "encourage all sectors to make employment more attractive to UK domestic workers".