Farmers warn shoppers face smaller and more expensive vegetables due to hot weather

📰 source: bbc_business · 💼 business

farmers in the uk warn this year's harvest could be the worst on record after an exceptionally dry spring and summer. england and wales saw their driest july in 190 years, and drought has been declared across large parts of the country.

the energy and climate intelligence unit says the cereals and oilseed harvest could be 2.5 million tonnes less than earlier forecasts, with barley, oats and rapeseed falling to 19.5 million tonnes — the lowest since records began in 1984. that would cost farmers £390m in lost revenue. tim o'malley, chairman of nationwide produce, told radio 5 live the situation is "as bad as it's ever been" and that shoppers will see shrinkflation: smaller vegetables for the same price. supermarkets are already importing broccoli and iceberg lettuce from spain, which is "unheard of" in august.

water shortages are severe: wales has received just 8% of its average rainfall this month, england 7%, and southern england only 1%. tom lancaster at the eciu says farming is "the sector most exposed to climate change", and farmer martin lines calls the harvest "a real kick in the teeth".

why it matters: record dry weather shrinks uk harvest, likely triggering supermarket shrinkflation and higher food prices for consumers.

source: bbc_business
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