The National Farmers Union (NFU) has warned that the UK is “sleepwalking” into a food supply crisis and that the government must intervene to support farmers.
It predicted that tomato and other crop yields will likely fall to record lows this year, with potential supply issues, similar to those already seen with eggs.
Farmers were under a lot of strain as a result of rising fuel, fertiliser, and feed prices, it added.
The UK has a “very resilient food supply chain,” as stated by the government.
Due to farmers’ reduction or stoppage of production due to increased costs—a situation made worse by the Avian flu outbreak—some retailers are rationing egg sales.
The NFU issued a warning, however, that food producers in other regions were now experiencing difficulties.
It said that this year would likely see the lowest level of yields for energy-intensive crops like tomatoes, cucumbers, and pears since records have been kept since 1985.
Additionally, it stated that beef farmers were thinking about lowering the number of cattle they bred and that milk prices were anticipated to go below the cost of production.
The cost of feed and diesel had increased by 75%, and the price of fertiliser for farmers had more than tripled since 2019. Rising costs were to blame, it said.
Rising energy prices, Brexit-related red tape, and a lack of workers were additional contributing causes, it said.