The Guardian reported that Britain could be heading for food shortages, wheat is half its normal height and farmers are describing this as the third drought in 5 years. Cereals such as wheat and barley have been particularly affected, the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) said. Its first harvest report of 2026 said the hot weather had resulted in 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.

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 be some shortages of [food] products.”

Climate breakdown is exacerbating extreme weather conditions such as droughts. This summer England had just 8% of its average rainfall for July and it is likely to be confirmed as the driest July on record, and the worst for wildfires.

What can we do about it?

While the NFU president has gone directly to the Prime Minister to warn about it, and call for proper government investment in resilient farming systems, from reservoirs to wildfire prevention, we can all make a difference. I remember travelling in Slovenia about 25 years ago, and being surprised to see just about all the houses outside the cities giving their gardens (front and back) over to growing fruit and vegetables for the family. Turning up as a visitor to someone’s house triggered a mini harvest effort, gathering salad stuff, fruit etc to offer me as their guest. Perhaps we need to follow that model.

As the National Emergency Briefing has pointed out – the way things are going we will need an effort reminiscent of the focus and effort that got us through the second world war if we are to deal with the challenges ahead. Perhaps now is the time to start planning the replanting of your garden for food ready for next year – not so much “dig for victory”, as “dig to just simply eat”.