Tesco, one of the UK’s leading supermarkets, is proactively addressing the anticipated challenges that climate change poses to agriculture. With the spectre of unpredictable weather looming large, the company has enhanced its agreements with principal onion and carrot suppliers, aiming to bolster crop yields amidst these uncertain times.
Climate change represents a significant threat to food production across the UK and this has been echoed by experts and underscores the urgency of implementing adaptive measures. Tesco’s response to the climate threat, characterised by revised agricultural yield forecasts and an increase in planting, is a tangible manifestation of this urgency.
The supermarket’s approach is not insular; it is a comprehensive strategy that addresses both immediate and long-term challenges. Inflationary pressures, exacerbated by a complex interplay of economic and environmental factors, are being met with pragmatic and immediate solutions. Simultaneously, the long-term spectres of climate change and biodiversity loss are being addressed through strategic planning and collaborative efforts.
Tesco’s commitment to supporting its suppliers, farmers, and growers underscores a holistic approach to tackling the multifaceted challenges of our times. It’s not just about weathering the storm; it’s about emerging on the other side with enhanced resilience, fortified supply chains, and a blueprint for sustainable agriculture that can stand the test of time and climate.
Director of fresh produce and horticulture at Tesco, Tom Mackintosh, said in a recent interview with The Telegraph: “Supporting British farmers, growers and suppliers is vital in safeguarding the future of the food industry in the UK.
“We’re providing immediate support in the wake of recent inflationary challenges, as well as supporting suppliers, farmers and growers in tackling more long-term challenges such as climate change and nature loss.”
The news comes as food and farming activists have called on the UK’s leading supermarkets to treat suppliers better as farmers are “struggling to survive” under current practices.