Water Shortages Threaten 2027 Planting as Growers Press for Action

British vegetable growers are considering reducing planting next year as uncertainty over irrigation supplies raises concerns for the 2027 growing season.

Depleted reservoirs and continuing drought have prompted fresh calls for government action, with producers warning that reliable access to water is essential to protect domestic food production. Some businesses are weighing up smaller areas of high-value vegetable crops because of doubts over future supplies, FarmingUK reports.

The Environment Agency has warned that exceptionally low reservoir levels and weak river flows could prevent some farmers from replenishing irrigation reservoirs over winter, potentially affecting water availability next year.

Its report covering 16–22 October put national reservoir storage at 54% of capacity. Eighteen reservoirs or reservoir groups were less than half full, with 13 classified as exceptionally low.

The agency reported on 15 October that 82% of England remained in drought, underlining the scale of the pressure on water resources.

Growers will take their concerns to the House of Lords on 17 November at an event hosted by former NFU president Minette Batters.

The initiative follows a year-long collaboration between fresh produce businesses, Morrisons and Harper Adams University’s School of Sustainable Food & Farming, examining how policy can better support water resilience and British food production.

Jon Hammond, director of Hammond Produce, said: “You cannot talk about food security without talking about water security.”

The project has identified four priorities: giving food production greater weight in water policy; recognising agricultural water storage as strategic infrastructure; addressing water quality and availability together; and strengthening research, innovation and knowledge exchange.

Its recommendations include planning and funding arrangements that help growers capture water during wetter periods and store it for use when supplies become scarce. Businesses are also seeking greater regulatory certainty to support long-term investment.

The immediate concern is whether winter rainfall and river flows will allow reservoirs to recover sufficiently. The Environment Agency has warned that restrictions on some abstraction licences could limit refilling opportunities unless low river flows show a sustained recovery.