‘Worst we’ve known’: UK turns to imports as drought and heat hit vegetable crops
Extreme heat and drought in the UK have significantly reduced vegetable yields, forcing supermarkets and restaurants to rely on imports from Spain and the Netherlands. Prices for staples like tomatoes, lettuce, and potatoes have surged as farmers struggle with water shortages.
Why it matters
This highlights the vulnerability of domestic food supply chains to climate change and the resulting economic impact on consumer prices.
Carrot grower Rodger Hobson says this year has ‘heartbreaking and wallet-breaking’. Photograph: supplied Carrot grower Rodger Hobson says this year has ‘heartbreaking and wallet-breaking’. Photograph: supplied Food & drink industry ‘Worst we’ve known’: UK turns to imports as drought and heat hit vegetable crops Growers in dismay after scorching weather and lack of rain affect yields, sending wholesale prices rocketing
Prefer the Guardian on Google Pubs, restaurants and supermarkets are having to buy lettuce and broccoli from Spain at what should be the height of UK growing season, as drought and extreme heat hit crops.
The wholesale price of tomatoes is up by more than 60%, iceberg lettuce by 90% and potatoes by more than 40% as a number of farmers struggle to grow in consistently high temperatures. Even those with irrigation systems and reservoirs on their farms say water is running low.
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