Report warns UK food supply is exposed to climate shocks abroad
A new analysis says Britain depends heavily on imported fruit and vegetables from countries facing greater climate stress, leaving shoppers exposed to price swings.
Britain’s food supply is vulnerable to climate-driven disruptions because it relies on imports for much of its fruit and vegetables, according to a report published on Wednesday. The analysis says the country could grow more of that produce at home, reducing exposure to shortages and higher prices.
The Food Foundation said about 40% of the UK’s food is brought in from overseas, and that many of the countries supplying fruit and vegetables are facing more severe heat, drought and other climate pressures than Britain. Researchers said that makes the system more prone to supply problems when harvests are hit.
The warning comes after the UK experienced a record five heatwaves this year, along with drought and wildfires that have already damaged crops and cut domestic yields. The report argues that those conditions show how climate change is affecting both homegrown production and the reliability of imports.
The findings add to concerns about food security as extreme weather becomes more frequent in Britain and abroad, with imported produce increasingly tied to conditions in other farming regions.
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