Key facts
- 81% of England's fresh produce is grown in areas with moderate to very high drought risk.
- 77% of England's wheat, 75% of barley, and 74% of oilseed rape are grown in areas with moderate to very high drought risk.
- 70% of sugar beet and 67% of potatoes are grown in areas with moderate to very high drought risk.
- Approximately 25% of the UK's staple crops are grown in areas facing an acute risk of drought.
- The yield from this year's cereals harvest in England and Wales was described as disappointing, with volumes below historic averages.
The majority of the UK's essential food supply is grown in areas susceptible to drought, according to an analysis by Rebalance Earth. The report found that 81% of England's fresh produce is concentrated in regions already experiencing water stress. Key crops like wheat, barley, and oilseed rape are also predominantly grown in areas with moderate to very high drought risk, with 77% of wheat, 75% of barley, and 74% of oilseed rape falling into this category. Sugar beet (70%) and potatoes (67%) are similarly affected.
Furthermore, about a quarter of the country's staple crops are cultivated in areas facing an acute risk of drought, including 30% of wheat and barley. Traditional agricultural heartlands such as East Anglia and Kent are identified as being under significant pressure from drought conditions, exacerbated by recent prolonged dry spells.
The final 2026 harvest report from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) indicated disappointing yields for this year's cereals harvest in England and Wales, with wheat, spring barley, and oats volumes below historic UK averages. Andrew Blenkiron, managing director of the Elveden estate in Suffolk, noted that the estate has experienced drought conditions for three out of the last five years, leading to significantly lower than normal crop yields. He emphasized the critical importance of water for the estate's function and its annual production of 100,000 tonnes of food.
Blenkiron suggested that the UK should improve its water resource management to sustain domestic food production in suitable areas, arguing that ceasing local growth would necessitate increased imports and deplete other nations' resources.