Drought Threatens Vegetable Supplies As Growers Look Ahead To 2027

Water shortages are putting next year’s vegetable production under pressure, with some farmers considering smaller planting areas as uncertainty over irrigation supplies continues.

The Environment Agency has warned that exceptionally low reservoir levels and below-normal river flows could prevent growers from replenishing water stores over winter, affecting availability for the 2027 irrigation season.

Its report covering 9–15 October showed England’s reservoir storage stood at 54% of capacity. Eighteen reservoirs or reservoir groups were less than half full, with eleven classified as exceptionally low.

Despite rainfall in some areas, the agency said drought conditions had continued to worsen. On 15 October, severe drought was declared in parts of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, East Sussex and West Sussex.

Official figures demonstrate how differently crops can respond to dry conditions. Defra’s horticulture statistics show broccoli yields fell 16% in 2025, while production declined 11%, despite an increase in planted area. Dry conditions in Lincolnshire contributed to weaker yields, alongside a shift towards lower-yielding Tenderstem varieties.

Cabbage production also suffered from drought, with limited access to irrigation in Lincolnshire exacerbating the impact. The crop’s total value fell 7.9% to £87 million.

Carrots proved more resilient. Yields remained stable at 83 tonnes per hectare, with Defra crediting investment in irrigation infrastructure with helping protect crops during dry weather. The planted area increased by 11%, while the industry remained largely self-sufficient for almost the entire year.

Domestic production supplied 56% of the UK’s fresh vegetables overall in 2025, underlining the importance of protecting home-grown supplies.

To help growers replenish reservoirs, the Environment Agency introduced conditional flexibility allowing existing abstraction licence holders to collect water outside their authorised period during October.

However, continued dry conditions could limit opportunities to refill storage, particularly across central and southern England. Some agricultural reservoirs are at historic lows following an early start to irrigation and high water demand this year.

Some farmers are consequently considering reducing irrigated crop areas, especially higher-value vegetables, as they prepare for next season. Winter rainfall will be crucial to rebuilding the water reserves needed for production.