"Record heat and drought cost Britain's arable farmers more than 800m in lost production in 2025 in one of the worst harvests recorded. Three of the five worst harvests on record have now occurred since 2020, leaving some farmers asking whether the growing impacts of the climate crisis are making it too financially risky to sow their crops. Farmers are already facing heavy financial pressure as the costs of fertilisers and other inputs have risen faster than prices."
"This year Britain had the hottest and driest spring on record, and the hottest summer, with drought conditions widespread. As a result, the production of the five staple arable crops wheat, oats, spring and winter barley, and oilseed rape fell by 20% compared with the 10-year average, according to the analysis by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU). The harvest in England was the second-worst in records going back to 1984."
Record heat and drought in 2025 reduced production of Britain’s five staple arable crops by 20% compared with the ten-year average, costing more than 800m in lost output. Britain experienced the hottest and driest spring on record and the hottest summer, with widespread drought, while extreme winter rainfall in 2019-20 and 2023-24 previously prevented drilling on waterlogged fields. Three of the five worst harvests have occurred since 2020, and England’s 2025 harvest was the second-worst since 1984. Farmers face rising input costs, widespread concerns about livelihoods, and calls for urgent support and timely green farming schemes.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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