Record levels of rainfall in the UK have disrupted the supply of fresh vegetables, as reported by the National Farmers' Union. The excessive rain has rendered fields waterlogged, preventing farmers from harvesting and planting future crops. Kevin Green, a vegetable buyer, noted the necessity to import vegetables, such as carrots from Israel, to meet demand.
The Met Office confirmed that England experienced the highest rainfall in over 183 years. Challenges in sourcing quality vegetables have led buyers like Green to seek produce globally. Richard Beachall, a food producer, highlighted difficulties in sowing wheat due to the saturated ground. The saturation complicates the use of heavy machinery for both harvesting and planting.
Henry Moreton, of the National Farmers' Union, reported significant losses due to flooding. With a significant portion of the UK's farmland located on flood plains, the risk to agricultural productivity is pronounced. Immediate concerns focus on the need for water levels to decrease to enable planting for the summer harvest.
Source: bbc.com