The UK food system is facing growing pressure from climate change, with hotter summers, wetter winters and more frequent extreme weather already affecting agricultural production, supply chains and food prices.
A new synthesis report from the Met Office’s Food, Farming and Natural Environment (FFNE) climate service brings together ten years of research for Defra on climate risks to UK agriculture and food security. It concludes that climate change is already having measurable impacts and that adaptation is now essential for maintaining resilience across the food system.
Recent events underline the scale of exposure. High temperatures during summer 2022 reduced UK chicken meat production by around 9%, while exceptionally wet conditions in 2024 contributed to production levels around 20% lower than the previous year.