Britain's agricultural sector is facing a potential crisis as a prolonged drought and record-breaking heatwaves threaten crop yields and water supplies, the National Farmers' Union (NFU) has warned. Some areas in southern England have recorded nearly 50 consecutive days without significant rainfall, contributing to one of the most severe droughts many farmers have experienced.
The dry soil conditions and high temperatures are impacting crop growth, with potatoes particularly vulnerable as they cease growing above 30C. Farmers are resorting to measures such as spraying Bramley apples with a protective coating to prevent scorching. The country is enduring its fifth heatwave of the year, with temperatures reaching 33.5C in Wisley, Surrey, marking the 20th day this year that temperatures have exceeded 32C.
Wisley has also recorded 47 days without measurable rainfall. While thunderstorms and heavy rain have occurred in northern England and Scotland, these have provided little relief to the drought-stricken south. The Met Office reported that July was the driest on record for England, with only 6.5mm of rain, 10% of the long-term average. Southern England experienced its driest month ever recorded. For the UK as a whole, July was the third driest on record and the sunniest on record.
Beyond crop damage, livestock farmers are being forced to use winter feed supplies due to a lack of growing grass. The NFU president, Tom Bradshaw, has stated that the ongoing conditions could lead to shortages of certain food products, as countries that the UK imports from are also experiencing climate extremes. "It does feel like there is going to be shortages of [food] products," Bradshaw told BBC Radio 4.
Wheat yields are reportedly half of normal, and harvests are beginning earlier than usual to salvage what is possible. The NFU is calling for government action, including tax breaks for water storage systems and more flexible water abstraction regulations, to bolster food production resilience.
The strain on water resources is evident, with some reservoirs running low. The Elveden Estate in Suffolk, which recently built a large reservoir, has found it nearly depleted less than a year after completion. Andrew Blenkiron, managing director of Elveden Estate, noted that this is the third dry summer in five years and expressed concern about potential serious problems if the upcoming winter is also dry.
Extreme weather has also contributed to wildfires across the UK. Firefighters have been battling blazes in heathland, cliff areas, and large sections of land in South Wales and the Cairngorms National Park. In response to the heat, UK Health Security Agency has issued heat health alerts for various regions, warning of potential pressure on the NHS. The prolonged dry spell has also led to hosepipe bans affecting millions of people across England and Wales.