UK Brassica Crop Yields for 2025 Expected to be Tight Due to Extreme Weather Conditions
UK producers are voicing concerns over brassica crop yields for 2025, which experts have described as “tight.” This situation is largely attributed to prolonged periods of warm weather, including four distinct heatwaves that have adversely affected overall food production.
According to a recent report by Peloton Produce, the average yield for many crops has declined significantly, averaging only around 65% of expected output. More alarmingly, brassica yields have fallen to just 50%. This drastic reduction in yield is prompting producers to call for urgent intervention.
Moreover, following the heatwaves experienced during the summer months, producers have indicated a pressing need for increased rainfall in traditionally drier regions. Additionally, after an extensive period dedicated to irrigating these thirsty crops, many farmers are now expressing serious concerns about potential water shortages.
The situation has reached a critical point, with five regions officially designated as drought areas, while six others are facing prolonged dry spells. This marks the driest six months leading up to July since 1976. Currently, drought has been declared in regions such as Yorkshire, Cumbria, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Cheshire, East Midlands, and West Midlands.
Jack Ward, chief executive of the British Growers Association, said that pea yields have dropped “significantly,” further emphasizing that brassica yields are “tight.” He added that these crops pose a “higher risk” to growers. However, he took care to point out that Scotland has not suffered as severely as other areas and noted that weather-related impacts vary significantly across the UK.
According to Ward, crops like carrots, onions, and root vegetables have required “longer than expected” irrigation due to the persistent dry conditions. Concerns are rising about the sustainability of water resources for irrigation.
Ward further emphasized the importance of investing in the agricultural sector. He argued that, despite being strategically positioned to produce food, the sector is in dire need of financial support to navigate turbulent weather conditions.
Peloton Produce Labeling 2025 as a “Write-Off” for Brassica Production
Nigel Clare, director at Peloton Produce, lamented the dire situation, stating, “With the driest conditions for over 20 years and with an unprecedented four heatwaves in a season, the UK brassica industry has seen yields as low as 50% of budget.” He noted that they grow various brassica vegetables, including cauliflower, broccoli, Savoy cabbage, sweetheart cabbage, Bellaverde broccoli, cavolo nero, kale, red cabbage, and white cabbage. Each of these crops has experienced a dramatic yield reduction, with some crops plummeting to as low as 50% of initial expectations.
Clare pointed out, “This year is a complete write-off for brassica production, and most growers will be in a deficit at the end of the season when we look at our profit and loss statements.” He highlighted poor demand that began in November 2024, compounding the already challenging yields, and described this season as the worst he can remember, expressing a strong desire to forget it.
He elaborated that the “unprecedented poor demand,” which began in November 2024, signals a worrying trend for the UK brassica industry. Clare underscored that drought conditions have “compounded” the already precarious financial situation for UK brassica operations.
Looking ahead, Clare mentioned that the delicate balance between risk and reward poses a concerning outlook for the future. “Unfortunately, we will see prices rising next year to establish a balance that allows us to survive. Without this adjustment, we risk losing growers committed to brassica production due to excessive risk,” he cautioned.
Furthermore, Clare noted that while most brassica companies utilize irrigation methods, those efforts have not salvaged this growing season. He explained that sustained high temperatures during both day and night mean that irrigation has merely kept plants alive under stress, ultimately detracting from crop quality.
In conclusion, Clare stated, “This autumn, negotiations with our customers will determine who is willing to press on and who might say ‘enough is enough.’ One thing is certain: prices must rise by over 10% to achieve a balance between risk and reward.”
A “Varied Picture” as Some Areas Report Better Yields
Jamie Burrows, chair of the NFU crops board, provided additional insight, stating, “Feedback from farmers and growers paints a hugely varied picture. Some are seeing better-than-expected yields, while others are facing significant drops, leading to substantial financial implications for their businesses.”
While certain regions have seen some rainfall, Burrows acknowledged that farmers are accustomed to unpredictable weather patterns. However, he stressed that this year’s extremes have reached unprecedented levels. “The challenge is that these weather extremes—both drought and flood—are becoming more pronounced and regular,” he noted. Last year’s harvest was marred by heavy rain, while this year is defined by extreme dryness.
Looking to the future, Burrows emphasized the pressing need for investment in climate adaptation and resilient crop varieties to safeguard the UK’s ability to sustain food production and respond effectively to market fluctuations. He called for investments in water infrastructure and advocated for changes in the planning system to better capture rainwater during periods of abundance for later use.
A “Clear Pattern” of Extreme Weather Impacting Food Production
Tom Lancaster, a land, food, and farming analyst at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), remarked, “While it is too early to say exactly how bad this harvest will be, it is likely to be one of the ten worst since records began, following a punishingly dry spring and hot summer that severely impacted crop yields.”
This unfavorable harvest comes on the heels of last year’s third worst harvest in the UK, when extreme winter rains devastated numerous crops. Lancaster also referenced the severe heatwave of 2022 that further compromised the agricultural landscape. “We are now observing a clear pattern of extreme weather linked to climate change, which is severely undermining our food security,” he concluded.
While Lancaster acknowledged that adaptation strategies can help mitigate these extremes, he stressed that the only long-term solution is to reduce planet-warming emissions to net zero. “Without decisive action, the impacts of climate change will only escalate, becoming increasingly extreme and less manageable,” he warned.
