Shoppers may have to pay the price for the long dry summer

After a prolonged winter Britain has enjoyed basking beneath the summer sunshine for many weeks – but there could be a high price to pay for it. 

Procurement specialists the Regency Purchasing Group is warning there could be significant price rises ahead because of the impact of the long hot summer on farmers and food producers. 

Regency’s Managing Director Alex Demetriou said: “No one wants to put the dampeners on the sunshine that we all craved after the harsh winter, but the hot summer has brought with it problems of its own. 

“Some farmers have already been forced to start feeding their livestock winter food, due to the usual grazing running out where grass has not been able to grow like it usually does, because of the lack of rain. 

“Sadly, this will inevitably have a knock-on effect on the costs of produce, as the costs to the farmers increase, not just through having to source and replace the winter feed they had set aside, but also because the amount of water their animals require during the heat is also significantly higher than usual.” 

The heat is also having an impact on fruit and vegetable growers too, which is almost inevitably going to set shoppers’ temperatures rising, as prices seem sure to soar. 

Demetriou said: “Harvests are generally lower, and while some producers have irrigation systems to help combat the heat, the costs of using them is becoming more expensive. 

“Those who do not have irrigation systems are seeing yields as low as 60% of their usual output, which again means prices will inevitably rise. 

 “Everyone has enjoyed some wonderful weather these past few weeks, but farmers and fruit and veg producers are crying out now for a decent period of rain.”