Rising Temperatures Will Cause Even Wetter Winters, Putting UK Crops At Risk
- 28 minutes ago
- 2 min read
More winter rain and warmer temperatures are expected as climate change causes the UK’s weather to become more extreme, driving the need for further innovation to help UK fresh produce growers adapt and survive.
At current levels of global warming, wet winters could become even more frequent, affecting housing, transport, and food supply, say scientists.
If global temperatures increase by more than 2oC, the Met Office predicts the number of days per year with heavy rainfall (above 80mm per day) would rise to nine days, up from seven currently.
Wet winters like those experienced in 2023/24 have shifted from a once-in-80-year event to once in 20.
The Met Office says six of the ten wettest winters since records began almost 250 years ago have been recorded in this century alone.
Flooding Risks Food Shor
Already, the exceptionally wet start to 2026, and subsequent widespread flooding across the country, is following a similar pattern.
For UK farmers and growers, the heavy, continuous rainfall means fields are waterlogged and soils are saturated, preventing access to the land.
If conditions persist, the NFU has warned that crops already planted will “rot in the ground”.
With winter drilling and early spring work disrupted, the planting windows for key crops have narrowed; raising concerns about lower domestic output, tighter supplies, and higher food prices later in the year.
The recent weather highlights UK agriculture’s vulnerability to climate volatility, and has prompted calls for more targeted government support on flood management and resilience investment.
Last November the NFU wrote to MPs warning of the severe risks faced by the UK’s agriculture industry due to annual flooding and droughts, which seriously affect food production.
In 2024 the industry lost £1bn due to damaged crops during the second wettest winter on record.
Real-World Solutions Required
As the UK’s climate changes, real-world progress is needed, and this year’s FPC Fresh Awards, organised by the Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC), are placing a powerful spotlight on seven dedicated Innovation and Sustainability categories, all designed to recognise the businesses, teams, and individuals doing just that, including climate champions.
The Climate Champion of the Year award celebrates individuals and teams turning climate ambition into action – cutting emissions, protecting resources and driving climate-smart decisions across growing, packing, logistics and retail.
If you are innovating. If you are reducing impact. If you are changing how things are done – this is your moment.
Entry is quick, easy and free. You can enter multiple categories and showcase multiple projects.
Enter now at: fpcfreshawards.co.uk
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