The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has issued a stark warning that Britain could face shortages of certain foods as a punishing drought continues to grip parts of England, with a heatwave forecast to extend into next week. The warning comes as the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has placed eight regions of England under heat health alerts, with temperatures expected to exceed 30C in some areas.
Drought and Heat Alerts: A Perfect Storm for Agriculture
According to the UKHSA, the rising temperatures may increase health risks, particularly for vulnerable groups. Farms across the country are already reeling from floods over the winter, which made planting extremely difficult. Now, many areas are facing restricted irrigation due to drought conditions, leaving crops without adequate water.
This marks the third drought in five years, and farming groups say this is becoming the new normal for British agriculture. Wheat farmers report their crops are only half their normal height, and England is witnessing its earliest ever harvest as farmers scramble to salvage what they can.
Record-Breaking Heat and Drying Soils
In some areas, it has not rained for over a month, while multiple record-breaking heatwaves have hit the country since early summer, drying out the soil. Tom Bradshaw, the NFU president, said this could lead to food shortages and has asked the prime minister to take action. He told BBC Radio 4 that farmers should receive tax breaks to build water storage systems on their land to prepare for future years.
“Those other countries around the world that we currently rely on to produce our food and vegetables, their climates are changing as well,” Bradshaw said. “It does feel like there is going be some shortages of [food] products.”
Climate Breakdown Exacerbates Extreme Weather
Climate breakdown is intensifying extreme weather events such as droughts. This summer, the Met Office reported that England received just 8% of its average rainfall for July, making it likely to be confirmed as the driest July on record. Approximately 23 million people across England and Wales are under a hosepipe ban, and the dry weather has fueled devastating wildfires across the country, most recently in Suffolk.
The UKHSA has issued amber heat health alerts for the East Midlands, the east of England, the south-east, and London regions from 9am on Monday to 9am on Wednesday. The north-west, Yorkshire and the Humber, West Midlands, and the south-west regions will be under a yellow alert during the same period.
Earliest Harvest on Record: A Grim Milestone
Cereals such as wheat and barley have been particularly affected, according to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB). Its first harvest report of 2026 revealed that the hot weather has led to the earliest harvest since records began in 2006, with many farmers across the south and east of England completing harvest two to three weeks ahead of the long-term average.
Anthony Hopkins, the AHDB’s director of cereals and oilseeds, said: “Across much of the UK, combines have been rolling earlier than usual this year, with many farmers working through the night to avoid the most extreme daytime temperatures. Cereal yields have generally been below the 10-year average so far, with some farms experiencing significant reductions. Following successive years of difficult weather and rising costs, the financial pressures are becoming increasingly acute for those businesses hardest hit.”
Anthony Speight, a senior analyst at the AHDB, added: “At this stage, the emerging picture points to disappointing cereal yields in many areas, but we’ll gain a clearer understanding as harvest continues.”
Farmers Face Financial Ruin as Subsidies End
Farming is becoming unprofitable as the government removes EU-derived subsidies that once kept the industry afloat, and the climate crisis causes extreme weather that can wipe out any profits from crops. A recent report found that a third of British farmers are making a loss or only breaking even.
Gavin Lane, the president of the Country, Land and Business Association, warned that for many farmers, this could be their last harvest. He said: “Farmers are telling us this is the worst harvest in years. A sodden winter followed by drought has left wheat at half its usual height and some crops not worth harvesting.”
“This is the third drought in five years. What was once extraordinary is becoming part of farming in Britain, and government must start planning for it. We know that proper government investment in resilient farming systems, from reservoirs to wildfire prevention, could help farmers cope with these new extremes,” Lane continued. “Farmers have shown again and again that they can adapt and deliver solutions, but resilience has limits. If we want them to keep feeding the country, they need proper support. Otherwise, this harvest could be their last.”
Health Risks from Prolonged Heat
Polly Ashmore, an acting consultant in public health at the UKHSA, said periods of hot weather could result in serious health outcomes, especially for older adults, and it was therefore important that everyone took sensible precautions while enjoying the sun. “We are urging health and social care services in affected regions to ensure they are prepared, and reminding people to look out for elderly relatives, neighbours and those with underlying health conditions, making sure they are aware of the forecast and following the necessary advice,” she said.
“Simple steps such as staying hydrated, avoiding the sun during the hottest part of the day and keeping your home cool are some of the key ways to help keep yourself and others safe during periods of hot weather,” Ashmore added.
