Most of UK’s essential food supply grown in drought-risk areas, report warns
A report by Rebalance Earth warns that a large portion of the UK's essential food supply is grown in areas highly susceptible to drought. Key crops like wheat, potatoes, and sugar beet are increasingly threatened by water stress.
Why it matters
This highlights critical vulnerabilities in national food security and the economic impact of climate change on agriculture.
Wheat waits to be harvested in a drought-hit field in Cheshire, England Wheat waits to be harvested in a drought-hit field in Cheshire, England Food & drink industry Most of UK’s essential food supply grown in drought-risk areas, report warns Keys crops such as cereals, potatoes, sugar and oils grown in areas with moderate to very high risk
Prefer the Guardian on Google The vast majority of the UK’s essential foods, including cereals, potatoes, sugar and oil, are grown in areas of England rated as having a moderate to very high risk of drought.
A very high proportion – 81% – of England’s fresh produce is concentrated in parts of the country that are already experiencing water stress, according to the analysis by nature-focused investment fund Rebalance Earth.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in