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‘Worst we’ve known’: UK turns to imports as drought and heat hit vegetable crops

The Guardian Business Saturday 01 August 2026, 11:00 UTC By Sarah Butler and Joanna Partridge 1 min read
Key Points

Growers in dismay after scorching weather and lack of rain affect yields, sending wholesale prices rocketingPubs, restaurants and supermarkets are having to buy lettuce and broccoli from Spain at what should be the height of UK growing season, as drought and extreme heat hit crops. The wholesale price of tomatoes is up by more than 60%, iceberg lettuce by 90% and potatoes by more than 40% as a number of farmers struggle to grow in consistently high temperatures. Even those with irrigation...

Growers in dismay after scorching weather and lack of rain affect yields, sending wholesale prices rocketing

Pubs, restaurants and supermarkets are having to buy lettuce and broccoli from Spain at what should be the height of UK growing season, as drought and extreme heat hit crops.

The wholesale price of tomatoes is up by more than 60%, iceberg lettuce by 90% and potatoes by more than 40% as a number of farmers struggle to grow in consistently high temperatures. Even those with irrigation systems and reservoirs on their farms say water is running low.

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UK (LOCATION) Spain (LOCATION)
Originally published by The Guardian Business Read original →

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