The UK is turning to imported vegetables after drought and extreme heat damaged domestic crops during what would normally be the peak growing season. Growers say the combination of scorching temperatures and a lack of rain has sharply reduced yields, especially for produce such as lettuce and broccoli.
As a result, pubs, restaurants and supermarkets are buying supplies from Spain to make up for shortages at home. That shift is unusual for this point in the season and highlights how severely weather conditions have disrupted UK farms.
The pressure is also being felt in prices. With less produce available from British growers, wholesale vegetable prices have surged, adding strain across the supply chain from farms to food businesses and retailers.
The situation has left growers alarmed, with some describing conditions as among the worst they have experienced. The latest disruption underlines how vulnerable food production can be when prolonged heat and drought hit key crops at the height of summer.
