Threat to the UK food security: harvest damaged by drought

The UK's food security situation has been complicated by summer droughts and heatwaves. In July, three-quarters of England experienced official drought conditions affecting 45 million people. July was recorded as the driest month on record, with precipitation levels at only 10 percent of normal, and air temperatures reaching the low-to-mid 30s degrees Celsius.

According to estimates by organic farm manager Roger Saul, grain harvests dropped by 15–20 percent. Vegetable yields suffered even more severely, with figures plummeting by up to 50 percent compared to previous years. Losses for British grain producers are estimated at 390 million pounds sterling, and vegetable growers can only maintain their crops through access to irrigation.

Against the backdrop of climate challenges, the country's reliance on foreign supplies is notable: 78 percent of fresh food is currently imported, with the share of produce from Africa having risen by 55 percent. Meanwhile, about 70 percent of England's water infrastructure is owned by foreign companies, and water utilities face criticism over leakage issues and river pollution.

In August, British supermarkets called on the government to introduce legally binding standards regarding domestic food products to maintain control over the domestic market and supply chains. It is also reported that, under pressure from farmers, the government has failed to allocate funds for the construction of on-farm reservoirs to capture excess water during the winter period and provides no assistance for measures to improve soil moisture retention.