A ‘washout winter’ means that the production of wheat, barley, oats and oilseed rape may be down by 17.5%, according to an Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) report.

The analysis from ECIU is based on Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) crop area forecasts and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) yield data.

Battling to establish crops in one of the wettest winters on record, the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has warned that the extreme weather associated with climate change presents one of the biggest threats to UK food security.

Tom Lancaster, land analyst at ECIU said: “This washout winter is playing havoc with farmers’ fields leading to soils so waterlogged they cannot be planted or too wet for tractors to apply fertilisers.

“This is likely to mean not only a financial hit for farmers, but higher imports as we look to plug the gap left by a shortfall in UK supply. There’s also a real risk that the price of bread, beer and biscuits could increase as the poor harvest may lead to higher costs.”

He added that in order to withstand wetter winters that will come from climate change, farmers need more support.

“The government’s green farming schemes are vital to this, helping farmers to invest in their soils to allow them to recover faster from both floods and droughts,” he said.

The wetter winter weather is a particular concern for the UK’s wheat harvest, with the ECIU estimating that wheat production could be down by up to 26.5% compared to 2023. Milling wheat used to make bread could be hit particularly hard, as it needs to meet higher quality requirements that will be more difficult for farmers to achieve with the wet weather.

Additionally, with the premium for milling wheat over feed wheat at historically high levels, the ECIU added that many farmers are set to lose out on income.

UK millers normally source approximately 80% of their wheat from British farms, a figure it says it likely to be well down after this year’s harvest. As a result, it has led to one of the UK’s biggest bread makers warning that the price of a loaf could increase.

“Farmers are saying this is the worst winter they’ve ever experienced,” added Tom Lancaster.

“Coming just as food prices were coming down after the gas price crisis, the public will now rightly fear what this means for the cost of their weekly shop. Given half our food comes from abroad, the UK will have to ensure farmers are supported here in the UK, but also in countries that grow the fruit and other staples we can’t, that are also being battered by weather extremes.”

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The ‘Appetite for Growth Conference’ is returning this September, bringing together leading food industry figures to discuss the multiple challenges facing the Northern Ireland food and drink industry.

Organised by the Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association (NIFDA) and supported by InvestNI and HSBC UK, the 2021 NIFDA Business Conference Fresh Thinking for Future Growth will take place virtually on Friday 3^rd September from 9.30am – 12.30pm.

Online event

The online event will provide an interactive forum for forward-thinking food and drink manufacturers and producers to engage with industry leaders, receive expert insights into emerging market and regulatory trends, and get practical advice.

Delegates will hear from experts from across the food and drink supply chain, with speakers including Dominic Darby, latterly Head of Innovation at Marks and Spencer; markets expert Dr Clive Black, Head of Research at Shore Capital; and former National Farmers Union President and AHDB Chair Sir Peter Kendall.

Michael Bell, Executive Director, Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association (NIFDA) said:

Appetite for Growth

“We are delighted that Appetite for Growth is returning at what is a pivotal time for Northern Ireland food and drink. With new trading arrangements, recruitment issues, new food strategies from government and of course recovery from the pandemic, Northern Ireland’s biggest manufacturing sector faces many challenges over the coming years.

“At this year’s conference, we have a range of leading industry experts who will explore the growth opportunities presented by these challenges, identify the emerging megatrends of the coming decades and discuss how our industry can grow for the future through improved productivity and innovation.

“We are delighted to welcome Dominic Darby, latterly Head of Innovation at Marks and Spencer, to deliver a keynote address examining how consumer demands are evolving, and how retailers and manufacturers can stay ahead of the curve.

Agri-Food

“We will also be hosting a conversation with Sir Peter Kendall, who is leading the Independent Strategic Review of Agri-Food in Northern Ireland. We have been working closely with Sir Peter as he assesses the industry and develops his thoughts on the way forward, and this discussion will offer some key insights into where the industry is succeeding, areas for improvement and how we can grow even further.

“Over many years the Appetite for Growth Conference has proved a valuable resource for our progressive and innovative food and drink manufacturers. This year’s conference offers local companies the opportunity to engage with experts across the industry, share best practice and receive practical tips that can be directly applied to their businesses. I would encourage those interested in attending to register as soon as possible.”

Gillian Morris, HSBC UK Head of Corporate Banking, Northern Ireland said:

Pandemic

“We are delighted to be sponsoring this year’s NIFDA conference. As society begins to recover from the pandemic, the food and drink sector is seeing significant opportunities for growth. At HSBC UK, we have a long history supporting new and established food and drinks brands, helping them adapt to new demographics, buying patterns and eating habits in a rapidly changing macro environment. We’re committed to supporting these businesses and the ‘Appetite for Growth’ event will help to secure Northern Ireland’s strong position within the Agri-foods industry.”

To book your place online, please visit https://nifda.co.uk/nifda-business-conference-2021/

The post ‘Fresh thinking’ for food sector at NIFDA Conference first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.