Britain might soon be facing a shortage of certain foods, and no, it's not because everyone suddenly developed a taste for kale. The National Farmers' Union (NFU) has warned that the ongoing drought in parts of England, combined with a heatwave that shows no signs of quitting, could leave supermarket shelves looking a bit sparse.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued heat health alerts for eight regions of England, with temperatures expected to soar past 30 degrees. Because nothing says 'summer fun' like a public health warning. The agency notes that rising temperatures may increase health risks, particularly for vulnerable groups - so maybe check on your gran.
Farmers are having a rough time of it, and that's putting it mildly. Floods over the winter made planting a nightmare, and now irrigation is being restricted due to drought. It's the third drought in five years, and farming groups are calling this the 'new normal' for British agriculture. Wheat farmers report their crop is half its normal height, and England is experiencing its earliest ever harvest as farmers scramble to salvage what they can. In some areas, it hasn't rained for over a month, and record-breaking heatwaves have been drying out the soil since early summer.
Tom Bradshaw, the NFU president, has warned of potential food shortages and has asked the prime minister to step up. He told BBC Radio 4 that farmers should get tax breaks to build water storage systems on their land for the years ahead. Because apparently, we need to incentivize preparing for the inevitable. 'Those other countries around the world that we currently rely on to produce our food and vegetables, their climates are changing as well,' he said. 'It does feel like there is going to be some shortages of [food] products.'
Climate breakdown is making extreme weather like droughts worse. The Met Office reports that England had just 8% of its average rainfall for July, and it's likely to be confirmed as the driest July on record. About 23 million people across England and Wales are under a hosepipe ban - because nothing says 'crisis' like being told you can't water your petunias. The dry weather has also fueled devastating wildfires, 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 from 9am on Monday to 9am on Wednesday. The north-west, Yorkshire and the Humber, West Midlands, and the south-west will be under a yellow alert during the same period. So, if you're in those areas, maybe invest in a fan.
Bradshaw said: 'Let's draw a line in the sand and make sure we prioritise domestic food production to deliver growth across the UK.' Because drawing lines in the sand is about as useful as rain dances at this point.
Cereals like wheat and barley have been particularly hit, according to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB). Its first harvest report of 2026 says the hot weather has resulted in the earliest harvest since records began in 2006, with many farmers in the south and east of England finishing 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.' So, the picture is bleak, but at least we'll have data.
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. A recent report found 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. 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.'
Polly Ashmore, acting consultant in public health at the UKHSA, said hot weather can lead to serious health outcomes, especially for older adults. She urged health and social care services in affected regions to be prepared and reminded people to look out for elderly relatives, neighbours, and those with underlying health conditions. '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,' she said. So, drink water, stay in the shade, and maybe rethink that sunbathing session.