Drought to Make Vegetables Smaller and Dearer
The drought gripping much of Britain will leave vegetables smaller and more expensive, growers have warned, as the driest summer in memory takes its toll on crops. With the harvest already heading for one of its worst on record, farmers say shoppers will feel the effect at the checkout. Concerns are mounting over the coming planting season too.
Weeks of heat and little rain have stunted the growth of everything from carrots and potatoes to salad crops, and parched fields threaten yields of cereals and other staples. Farmers warn that lower home production will mean greater reliance on imports and higher prices, at a time when food inflation is already squeezing households. Water shortages could also disrupt the next planting, prolonging the pain into next year. The farmers’ union has urged ministers to prioritise water for growing food. Watch how far prices rise and whether rain arrives in time to help.