Farmers warn shoppers face smaller and more expensive vegetables due to hot weather
Summary
The UK is experiencing a severe drought and hot weather that is harming crops like barley, oats, and rapeseed. Farmers warn that this will cause smaller and more expensive vegetables in supermarkets, with the country facing its worst cereal and oilseed harvest since 1984.Key Facts
- England and Wales had their driest July in 190 years, leading to a drought declaration over much of the UK.
- The UK’s cereal and oilseed harvest could fall by 2.5 million tonnes below earlier estimates.
- The expected harvest is 19.5 million tonnes, the lowest since 1984 and less than the 2020 low of 19.8 million tonnes.
- Farmers may lose about £390 million in revenue due to the poor harvest.
- Crops like barley, oats, and rapeseed are used in foods such as beer, breakfast cereals, vegetable oils, and animal feed.
- Shrinkflation is expected, meaning vegetables will be smaller but sold at similar prices.
- Supermarkets are importing more produce from countries like Spain to make up for shortfalls.
- Climate change is causing more frequent heatwaves and droughts, making these problems likely to continue.
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