Heatwaves Spark Record UK Berry Harvest: 6% Growth Fuels Climate‑Resilient Farming

Heatwaves Spark Record UK Berry Harvest: 6% Growth Fuels Climate‑Resilient Farming.

Climate‑Resilient Investment: A New Focus for Investors

While two‑thirds of the UK’s summer was marked by five record heatwaves and drought, the use of drip irrigation in polytunnels has lifted berry yields by 6% over the unusually large 2025 crop.

Key Figures from the Report

■+6% increase in overall harvest compared to last year

■‑10% decline in blackcurrant output

■40% of growers lack on‑farm reservoirs or licensed boreholes

■‑13% shortfall in wheat yield versus five‑year average

■¼ of spring barley yields below the five‑year average

Water Security and Investment Lines

■Multi‑million‑pound outlay on secure water supplies and computer‑controlled irrigation

■Government eases planning restrictions for on‑farm reservoirs

■Calls for higher winter river abstraction limits to boost storage

Sustainability and Market Outlook

■High‑value fruit production helps cushion domestic food price swings

■40% of producers remain reliant on mains water, heightening drought risk

■Climate is projected to bring hotter summers and wetter winters

Competitive Production: European and Global Supply Chains

■Southern Spain, North Africa and other regions face water shortages and extreme heat, driving higher costs

■UK sees a chance to expand supply and capture winter‑market demand

Future Projections and Risks

■Strawberry output may slow in early autumn as plants exhaust after a heavy summer

■Blackcurrant production expected to drop 10%

■Arable businesses feel mounting financial pressure

Markets will view this as a case study on the cost implications of climate risk; firms investing in water‑management infrastructure gain a competitive edge in both production and price stability, signalling a shift in the commodity landscape toward more resilient supply chains.