A study reveals that 87% of UK farmers have observed decreased productivity due to extreme weather. Of these, 84% reported reduced crop yields, with more than three-quarters experiencing income decline. In the past five years, 78% faced drought, and over half endured heatwave impacts. Only 2% avoided extreme weather altogether.
Major UK retailers link rising food prices to climate-induced harvest disruptions. The British Retail Consortium highlights the connection between climate issues and consumer costs. Tom Lancaster from ECIU states, "Farmers are on the frontline of climate change and this research reveals what impact that is having on them and their businesses."
A related study shows a £1bn drop in revenue from UK arable crops in the past year, one of the worst on record. Concerns are growing for the 2025 harvest following one of the warmest springs to date. Anthony Curwen, a Kent arable farmer, explains, "It's getting increasingly difficult to farm given the impacts we're now seeing with climate change. We've gone from extreme drought to biblical floods and back to drought in the space of just a few years."
The effects on fruit and vegetable prices are especially concerning. Already, healthier foods cost more than twice as much per calorie as less healthy options, and their prices have risen at double the rate over the past two years. This trend adds pressure on consumers as farmers struggle with unstable conditions.
Around 60% of farmers stress the need for consistent green farming policies. Curwen concludes, "What we need most now from government is a bit of stability and some better support to help us become resilient to these impacts."
Source: The Guardian
