Home›Commodities›Agriculture›Drought and heat drive sharp UK vegetable price spikes…

Drought and heat drive sharp UK vegetable price spikes and imports

Wholesale tomato prices are up more than 60%, iceberg lettuce is up 90%, and potatoes are up more than 40% as yields fall and growers turn to overseas supply.

Reported · Written up by our desk · Agriculture

Severe drought and extreme heat are hitting UK vegetable production, forcing pubs, restaurants, and supermarkets to source more produce from abroad and pushing wholesale prices sharply higher, according to the Guardian Business.

The outlet reported that tomato wholesale prices are up more than 60%, iceberg lettuce is up 90%, and potatoes are up more than 40% as farmers struggle to grow crops in consistently high temperatures, with water supplies running low even for growers with irrigation and reservoirs.

Broccoli growers say yields have halved, with one producer saying they are effectively combining multiple heads to meet pack weights, while English pea harvests are down by a third, and cauliflower could face shortages within weeks.

The Guardian Business also noted that supermarket executives have warned the government that wildfires and extreme weather threaten UK food security, urging a national priority for the food system and steps to reduce reliance on imports.

More like this

Sources