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Wed, 05 Aug 2026

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 Vegetables to get smaller and more expensive due to hot weather, farmers warn

This year's harvest could be the worst on record due to the exceptionally dry spring and summer.
The UK's agricultural industry is facing its worst harvest on record due to an exceptionally dry spring and summer, with England and Wales experiencing their driest July since 190 years ago. The drought has been declared in large parts of the country, and farmers warn that this could lead to "shrinkflation" in supermarkets, where smaller products are sold at the same price. The Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) thinktank estimates that the UK's cereals and oilseed harvest will be 2.5 million tonnes less than previously forecasted, with a drop to just 19.5 million tonnes - the worst since records began in 1984. This would result in £390m in lost revenue for farmers. The crops affected include barley, oats, and rapeseed, which are used in beer, breakfast cereals, and vegetable oil. These crops also feed livestock, making them crucial to most of the food chain. Farmers warn that consumers will feel the impact of the poor harvest through higher prices or smaller vegetables in supermarkets. "We're going to see shrinkflation," said Tim O'Malley, chairman of Nationwide produce. "The problem we're going to have this year is a massive reduction in yield and major quality issues." Grocers are already importing products from abroad due to the poor conditions at home, with some stores bringing in broccoli and iceberg lettuce from Spain - an unusual move for this time of year. Climate change is expected to bring more severe, frequent, and longer-lasting heatwaves in UK summers, which could lead to more water shortages for farmers. Experts warn that farming is now the sector most exposed to climate change, with three consecutive poor harvests leaving farmers facing significant challenges. Farmers are calling on supermarkets to increase prices to reflect the reduced yields, but some stores may struggle to do so due to competition and market pressures. The situation has been described as "grim" by one farmer, who added: "Every record is being broken."