British Berry Harvest Rises as Cereal Yields Plummet

The British Berry Growers reported a 6% increase in the harvest of blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries compared to the previous year. This growth occurred despite record heatwaves and drought, which the trade body attributed to the widespread use of drip irrigation and polytunnels to protect crops.

While berry production thrived, other agricultural sectors faced severe declines. The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board reported that wheat yields fell 13% below the five-year average, and spring barley yields reached their lowest levels since 1999. These losses have created significant financial strain for arable businesses.

Industry leaders noted a divide in water security. While high-value berry crops enabled investments in reservoirs, roughly 40% of producers still rely on river extraction or mains water. The industry has welcomed the government's easing of planning restrictions for on-farm reservoirs but continues to seek changes to river abstraction licensing to increase winter storage capacity in response to shifting climate patterns.