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UK heat and drought could disrupt food supply chains and raise prices
The Environment Agency says more than half of England is in drought conditions, and retailers warn the knock on effects across the supply chain could push food prices higher.
As heatwaves continue across the UK, BBC Business reports that supermarkets are already adjusting operations to keep produce cold, including running fridges harder, closing shutters against hot air, and pulling some goods from shelves on the hottest days.
The outlet adds that extreme weather can cascade through the supply chain, raising costs at multiple stages from crop growing and processing to transport, storage, and retail.
According to the Environment Agency, more than half of England has entered drought conditions. The British Retail Consortium warns this could force prices up, while farmers and flour producers are adapting to an earliest harvest in decades, and the National Farmers' Union cautions certain food products could face shortages.
Experts say the impacts may not be immediate because the UK supply chain is described as resilient, but they could intensify if crop supplies run out. BBC Business cites Prof Manoj Dora saying animal feed shortages could affect meat, milk, eggs, and chicken, and he points to longer term changes to supply chain locations and transportation.