How Will Extreme Weather in the West Affect Our Food?

Farmers in the west of England have had a very hard year. Five heatwaves hit the UK, burning fields and drying out the soil. Crops failed, water supplies ran low, and farmers lost thousands of pounds. Scientists say this kind of extreme weather is becoming more common, which could mean less food and higher prices for shoppers across the country.

Tom Collins, a farmer from Malmesbury in Wiltshire, has been farming for 25 years. He says this summer was unlike anything he has seen before. His workers had to spend long days in 30°C heat, and the dry conditions caused his spring beans to fail completely. He estimates he lost around £30,000 in bean income alone. "I've never known a summer like it. Relentless heat every day is just exhausting," he said.

Collins warned that shoppers will soon feel the effects at the checkout. Root vegetables like parsnips, carrots, and potatoes were hit especially hard. "All the vegetables that grow in the ground have just not had any moisture or rain on them," he explained. When crops fail, there is less food to sell, which pushes prices up in shops. He believes consumers will notice the difference quickly.

Andrew Opie, from the British Retail Consortium, said that extreme weather can reduce crop yields and put upward pressure on food prices. He added that retailers are experienced at dealing with supply problems and can find food from other suppliers around the world. Even so, he admitted there could still be some impact on customers. Keeping shelves full during a crisis takes careful planning and quick action.

Professor Pete Falloon studies climate and food systems at the University of Bristol. He says the biggest challenge is not slow, gradual climate change — it is the sudden, extreme weather events. Farmers can often adjust over time to gradual changes by switching crop types or farming methods. But sudden heatwaves or floods are much harder to plan for and can cause serious damage very quickly.

Not all foods are equally at risk from extreme weather. Fresh fruits and vegetables are more vulnerable because they grow quickly and cannot be stored for long. Staple crops like wheat are traded around the world and can be stored in large quantities as a backup. However, the UK imports a lot of food from other countries, so climate problems overseas can also affect what is available in British supermarkets.

Professor Falloon noted that the Mediterranean region — where the UK gets many fruits, vegetables, and berries — is also facing more heat and water shortages. The effects of extreme heat do not stop at the farm gate, either. Heat puts stress on outdoor workers and makes it harder to keep food cold during transport. It also increases the risk of food going bad if it is not stored properly during a heatwave.

Livestock suffer greatly during extreme heat too. During the 2022 heatwave, several million chickens died early because of the high temperatures. Professor Falloon said chicken meat production dropped by about 9% that year because of heat stress on the animals. Wet winters can be just as damaging — in 2024, very heavy rainfall stopped farmers from planting wheat or getting machinery into their fields.

Some farmers are finding smart ways to adapt to the changing climate. Debbie Wilkins runs Norton Court Farm and remembers the farm flooding once every five or six years when she was a child. "Now it's every year," she said. To cope, she stopped growing crops on flood-prone fields and planted grass types that handle wet conditions better. She also planted more trees and hedges to keep the farm cooler in summer.

Professor Falloon says many practical steps are available to help farmers prepare for a changing climate. These include planting crops earlier in the season, using varieties that cope better with heat, and improving how water is used for irrigation. Growing deeper-rooting grasses that can find water further underground is another useful strategy. "There are lots of reasons to be optimistic if we can use the information we have about future climate change," he said.