British farmers are trying to keep up with demand for everyday vegetables like lettuce and broccoli, but extreme heat and drought have cut domestic production. Supermarkets now buy many of these staples from Spain and Holland, even though it is peak season for growing in the UK. The result? Wholesale prices for tomatoes have gone up more than 60%, iceberg lettuce by 90%, and potatoes by over 40%.
Farms with irrigation systems are also facing a shortage of water. David Simmons, a broccoli grower in Cornwall and a board member of the Brassica Growers’ Association, said the UK is importing broccoli to meet demand. He added that cauliflower shortages could happen in a few weeks.
Shortage hits peas, carrots, and potatoes
The English pea harvest is down by a third, according to Stephen Francis from Fen Peas. Scotland, which grows about a fifth of the UK’s peas, is expected to see a normal yield this year. Growers are trying out heat-resistant varieties, but Francis says farmers need government help to build more water storage.
Rodger Hobson, a carrot grower in Yorkshire, described this year as the “worst we’ve ever known.” His crops are “wilting on their feet.” He usually grows about 30,000 tonnes of carrots annually—around 4% of the UK’s total—but crops have started to shut down in temperatures over 30C. Without rain, next spring’s harvest could run out months early.
Big supermarkets plead for government action
Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and other big supermarket names have written to Health Secretary Andy Burnham about wildfires and extreme weather threatening food security. They want the government to reduce reliance on imports and make domestic food production a higher priority.
The drought has also caused an early cereal harvest and has affected crops across Europe. Tim O’Malley, head of Nationwide Produce, said the UK is now “running out of water.” Field crops like leafy greens, broccoli, and iceberg lettuce are the most affected. Spain has hotter weather but more experience with farming in those conditions.
Rodger Hobson added that without significant rainfall, the main carrot crop—usually ready in September—will likely be damaged. Potato grower Scott Walker, from GB Potatoes, said the harvest this year won’t match recent years and that Europe-wide drought will affect supplies there too. He warned consumers may see “more variation in sizes” in supermarket potatoes later this year.
The UK produces almost all of its carrots, 97% in fact, but they are only grown in regions with the right sandy soils. Hobson said temperatures over 25C cause the crops to go into shutdown, and anything over 30C could kill them. He said all they can do is keep watering them.
Growers across the UK are calling on the government for more support to build reservoirs, so they can store winter and spring rain to use for watering crops in the summer. Production of tomatoes, most of which are usually imported from the Netherlands and Belgium at this time of year, is also being affected by the high temperatures. This is causing smaller and damaged fruit.
The situation is so severe that O’Malley said it is worse than the public realizes. He said field crops like leafy greens, broccoli, and iceberg lettuce are the worst affected. But he said they had to go back to Spain last week, where the heat is manageable for farming.
Scott Walker of GB Potatoes said consumers might have to accept some changes when it comes to potato sizes later this year. With Europe also facing the same heatwave, the amount of crop in the region will also be affected.
The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board said the drought has led to the earliest UK cereal harvest in at least 20 years. This, combined with the extreme weather across Europe, is making it even harder to meet demand for crops. Farmers in Scotland, which makes up about a fifth of the UK’s pea production, are expected to see an average harvest this year.
Hobson said the situation is heartbreaking and costly for farmers. His crops are wilting, and he is struggling to meet production expectations. Britain produces nearly all of the carrots it consumes, but the heat is causing severe damage. Without significant rainfall, the main carrot crop in the autumn will also be damaged.
The impact of the extreme weather is being felt across the UK and Europe. From wheat and potatoes to tomatoes and olives, crops are being hit by drought, fires, and extreme heat. Farmers are calling for urgent government action to build reservoirs and support them in coping with the changing climate.
They argue that extreme weather poses a serious threat to food security in the UK.
The situation is becoming more urgent as the harvest season continues. With water becoming scarce and temperatures rising, farmers are struggling to keep up with demand. The government is under pressure to provide more support to help farmers store water and adapt to the changing climate.
The challenge for farmers is not just about the present; it is about building a more sustainable future. Without significant investment in water storage and heat-resistant crop varieties, the UK may struggle to meet food demand in the years to come.
The UK’s food security is at risk due to the extreme weather conditions. With crops failing and water supplies running low, farmers are calling on the government to act quickly. The situation is not just affecting individual farmers but has broader implications for the food supply chain and consumers.
The government is being asked to take a proactive approach to food security, including investing in water storage and supporting farmers in developing more resilient crops. With the current drought and heatwave, the need for action has never been more urgent.
As the situation continues to unfold, the UK is facing a food crisis that could have long-term consequences. Farmers are doing their best to adapt, but without government support, the future of the UK’s food production looks uncertain.