Brits issued urgent food shortage warning over supermarket staple
Temperatures across the UK continue to rise, which has put farmers in a difficult position as dry land causes slow growth for popular supermarket staple.
Brits have been warned of a possible shortage of potatoes as high temperatures and prolonged dry weather take their toll on crops. A farmer in Cheshire says potato yields have fallen dramatically this summer, while other vegetables including cauliflower, broccoli and sweetcorn have also been affected by the conditions.
David Fryer, an arable farmer who runs Groobarbs Wild Farm with his family, said this year has proved even more challenging than the exceptionally dry conditions experienced in 2025.
He said: "I thought it can't be as dry as 2025 we got through that just about, we kept getting little bits of rain that kept the crops alive, but I never thought 2026 would be drier."
Warning about the impact shoppers could eventually feel, he added: "The potato yield is about half what it should be, I am just about ok because I've grown more but I think across the North West people will be short on potatoes, we've also suffered with cauliflower, broccoli and sweetcorn."
The warning comes as the North West experiences another spell of extreme summer weather.
Much of the region has been placed into Prolonged Dry Weather status by the Environment Agency, while an amber heat-health alert came into force at 9am on Tuesday, August 11 and is due to remain until 9pm on Friday, August 14.
Temperatures are also expected to climb into the mid-30Cs later this week, according to the Met Office.
Mr Fryer said the last useful rainfall his farm received was at the beginning of June. Some rain arrived in July, but it was not enough to make a significant difference to the crops.
He is now seeking permission from the Environment Agency to use water from a lake on the farm to irrigate around 25 acres of land.
Mr Fryer said: "I want to be able to use that water. The lake hasn't dropped at all because it's got a nice stream flowing into it and we just want to irrigate about 25 acres.
"I made my full application a month ago and I thought surely the Environment Agency will help farmers with this cost of living crisis because we do not want food to go up we want to keep it as cheap as possible."
A spokesperson for Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: "We know these conditions are having a significant impact on communities, farmers and businesses across the country.
"Our climate is changing. Droughts are becoming more common, which is why we’re focused on both the immediate response and long-term resilience.
"That includes working through the national drought group with the Environment Agency, water companies, farmers, and environmental organisations to protect water supplies and minimise environmental damage."
