‘Worst we’ve known’: UK turns to imports as drought and heat hit vegetable crops

📰 source: theguardian_business · 💼 business

britain is importing broccoli and lettuce from spain at the height of its growing season, as drought and extreme heat hammer vegetable crops. wholesale prices are up sharply: tomatoes +60%, iceberg lettuce +90%, potatoes +40%. broccoli yields have halved, and cauliflower shortages are projected within weeks. the english pea harvest is down a third. growers with irrigation say water is running low.

tesco, sainsbury's, waitrose and aldi joined over 100 organisations in a letter to andy burnham, warning that extreme weather threatens uk food security and calling for less reliance on imports. cereals harvest is the earliest in 20 years. across europe, crops are wilting too. tim o'malley of nationwide produce said last week his firm went back to spain for leafy greens — an unusual move. rodger hobson, a yorkshire carrot grower, called it the 'worst we've ever known', with temperatures over 30c killing plants. main-crop carrots may run out in spring, requiring imports. growers want help building reservoirs to store water. consumers may see more variation in potato sizes.

why it matters: uk vegetable prices surge as drought forces imports, a direct hit to grocery bills and food supply chains.

source: theguardian_business
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