Key Takeaways
- British berry growers are enjoying a bumper season, with overall berry volumes up 6% compared with last year’s already strong crop.
- Blackberries, blueberries and raspberries are driving the increase, thanks to rapid growth in hot weather and widespread use of polytunnels and drip‑irrigation systems.
- Late‑season strawberry output may lag, and blackcurrant production is projected to fall by roughly 10% as plants become exhausted from heavy early‑season cropping.
- The same heatwaves and drought that benefited berries have hurt other UK farm sectors: wheat is down 13% versus the five‑year average, spring barley yields are expected to be about a quarter lower, and salad and vegetable growers face difficulties.
- Many berry producers have invested in water‑security measures such as winter storage reservoirs and computer‑controlled drip irrigation, yet roughly 40% still lack reservoirs or licensed boreholes, leaving them reliant on mains or river water that can be scarce in drought.
- Recent government easing of planning restrictions for on‑farm reservoirs is welcomed, but growers call for reforms to river‑abstraction licensing to allow more winter water capture for summer use.
- With continued investment and policy support, UK berry growers could expand production to meet domestic demand, especially as competing winter‑supply regions in southern Spain and North Africa face worsening water shortages and extreme heat.
Overview of the Summer Climate Challenge
British farmers have endured a sweltering summer marked by five record heatwaves, widespread drought, and occasional wildfires. These extreme conditions have stressed many crops, reducing yields and raising concerns about water availability across the agricultural sector. The heat has been particularly intense in southern and eastern England, where soil moisture levels have dropped sharply, prompting farmers to rely more heavily on irrigation and alternative water sources.
Berry Harvest Performance
Despite the harsh weather, the British berry sector is reporting a bumper harvest. According to British Berry Growers (BBG), two‑thirds of the season’s crop has already been picked, and total volumes are 6% higher than last year’s unusually large harvest. The increase is driven by strong picks of blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries, which have benefited from the warm temperatures that accelerate fruit development while remaining within supermarket size specifications.
Growing Conditions that Favoured Berries
Most UK berry crops are cultivated under polytunnels and supplied with drip‑irrigation, a combination that has insulated the plants from the worst of the heat and water stress. The controlled environment protects berries from direct scorching, while precise water delivery ensures they receive adequate moisture even when mains supplies are limited. This resilience has allowed berries to ripen quickly and maintain quality, turning a challenging climate into an unexpected advantage for the sector.
Concerns for Late‑Season Strawberries and Blackcurrants
The outlook is less optimistic for certain berry varieties. Late‑season strawberry production is expected to slow as plants become exhausted from the heavy early‑season cropping spurred by the heatwave. Blackcurrant yields are forecast to be down about 10% relative to recent averages, reflecting the cumulative strain of prolonged high temperatures and limited water recovery periods. These segments highlight that not all berry crops share the same level of heat tolerance.
Impact on Cereal and Arable Crops
While berries thrive, other staple crops have suffered. The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) reports that wheat output is 13% below the five‑year average, and spring barley yields are projected to be roughly a quarter lower—potentially the lowest since comparable records began in 1999. Anthony Hopkins, AHDB’s director of cereals and oilseeds, warned that successive poor harvests are placing immense financial pressure on arable businesses, threatening farm viability and influencing broader food‑price dynamics.
Mixed Fortunes for Other Horticultural Sectors
The hot summer has produced mixed results across horticulture. Vineyards and oilseed‑rape growers have reported favourable conditions, benefitting from the warmth and adequate sunlight. In contrast, salad and vegetable producers have faced a tougher season, with heat stress, water scarcity, and increased pest pressure reducing both quality and quantity of output. This divergence underscores how crop‑specific adaptations and growing systems determine vulnerability to climate extremes.
Investment in Water Security by Berry Growers
Nick Marston, chair of BBG, emphasized that British berry growers have collectively invested millions of pounds over many years to bolster resilience. Key measures include developing secure water supplies—such as winter storage reservoirs—and installing highly efficient, computer‑controlled drip‑irrigation systems that deliver water precisely where needed. These investments have been crucial in maintaining berry productivity despite the prevailing drought conditions.
Gaps in Water Infrastructure
Nevertheless, significant gaps remain. Approximately 40% of berry producers still lack on‑farm reservoirs or licensed boreholes, leaving them dependent on mains water or river‑extraction licences. During droughts, these sources can become constrained, exposing a substantial portion of the sector to water‑security risks. Marston noted that farms relying solely on mains supply are already beginning to struggle, highlighting the urgency of expanding private water‑storage capacity.
Government Measures and Needed Reforms
Recent policy changes that ease planning restrictions for on‑farm reservoirs, effective this month, have been welcomed by growers as a step forward. However, Marston argued that further reforms are required, particularly regarding river‑abstraction licensing. The current system permits a fixed annual volume from rivers year‑round; allowing farmers to capture more water during wet winter months for storage and use in dry summers would enhance resilience without compromising ecological safeguards.
Long‑Term Climate Outlook and Opportunities
Looking ahead, Marston anticipates that climate change will bring hotter summers and wetter winters to the UK. He believes that, with continued support, British berry growers can leverage their existing investments to expand production and meet rising domestic demand. This expansion could be especially valuable as traditional winter‑supply regions—such as southern Spain and North Africa—face intensifying water shortages and even more extreme heat, potentially reducing their ability to export berries to the UK market.
Conclusion: A Sector‑Specific Bright Spot Amid Wider Stress
The summer of 2024 illustrates a stark contrast within UK agriculture: while berry growers reap the benefits of adaptive infrastructure and favourable heat‑driven growth, many arable and horticultural sectors contend with reduced yields and financial strain. The berry industry’s experience underscores the importance of targeted investments in water efficiency and protected cropping, as well as the need for supportive policies that enable farmers to capture and store winter water for summer use. If these lessons are applied more broadly, the UK’s agricultural landscape may become more resilient to the increasing volatility of a changing climate.