Severe heatwaves and prolonged drought across the United Kingdom are devastating vegetable crops, forcing supermarkets, pubs, and restaurants to import produce from Europe as wholesale prices surge.
Wholesale prices for iceberg lettuce have jumped 90%, tomatoes over 60%, and potatoes more than 40% due to the extreme temperatures.
>>> VNL Semifinals: Slovenia vs Poland, Japan vs USA on Saturday
The Bank of England has warned that food inflation could rise further as a result of these weather disruptions.
According to the European Commission's Joint Research Centre, heat and dry conditions across Europe are curbing potato yields, with expected yields now just below the five-year average.
In response to domestic shortfalls, major UK retailers including Tesco, Sainsbury's, Waitrose, and Aldi have signed a joint letter to Mayor Andy Burnham, urging the government to declare food security a national priority.
Farmers Report Severe Crop Losses
British farmers report that prolonged temperatures exceeding 25°C are severely suppressing crop development, with many fields running critically low on irrigation water.
David Simmons, a Cornwall vegetable farmer and board member of the Brassica Growers' Association, stated that local broccoli yields have fallen by half.
"We are having to put two heads of broccoli together to make the weight the pack is sold in," said Simmons.
Domestic shortfalls have forced suppliers to source green vegetables from overseas to fulfill contracts.
"The UK is very short at the moment, so it's being imported from Spain and Holland to try to cover the orders," he added.
