Key food crops in Britain are grown in drought-risk areas — The Guardian

In the United Kingdom, a significant share of key food crops is grown in English areas with moderate to very high drought risk. The Guardian reports, citing an analysis by the nature-based investment fund Rebalance Earth.

Risks to harvests

According to the fund’s estimate, 81% of England’s fresh agricultural produce is concentrated in areas already experiencing water stress. Areas with moderate to very high drought risk account for 77% of English wheat, 75% of barley and 74% of rapeseed. These areas also account for 70% of sugar beet and 67% of potatoes.

About a quarter of key crops are grown in areas facing acute drought risk. In particular, this applies to 30% of wheat and barley, 28% of rapeseed, 27% of fresh produce and 21% of potatoes.

Rebalance Earth’s chief operating and financial officer, Kirsty Willman, said that drought develops gradually and attracts less attention than flooding, but can affect yields, supply chains and food prices.

More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.

Drought-hit regions of England

Among the regions experiencing the greatest pressure from drought, the publication names the traditionally productive agricultural areas of East Anglia and Kent. Dry periods have persisted there in recent years.

In the final Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board report on the 2026 harvest, cereal harvest results in England and Wales were described as disappointing. Volumes of wheat, spring barley and oats were below the United Kingdom’s historical averages.

Andrew Blenkiron, managing director of the Elveden estate in Suffolk, said that the farm had been in drought conditions for three of the past five years. The estate, owned by the Guinness family, includes 9,000 hectares of agricultural land. It grows wheat, barley, onions and potatoes, among other crops, and produces about 100,000 tonnes of food annually.