Study: Drought And Other Weather Extremes Projected To Increase UK Food Costs By More Than 1/3 By 2050
Britain is at risk of a worsening “climateflation” crisis amid the fallout from increasingly extreme weather that could drive up food prices by more than a third by 2050. Sounding the alarm over the financial impact for UK households, the Autonomy Institute thinktank said that climate-induced price increases for everyday food items risked pushing almost 1 million people into poverty without urgent government intervention.
It said the UK was at elevated risk – particularly from heatwaves and droughts – of food production and supply chains abroad and at home being disrupted, which would have a knock-on impact for consumers through higher prices in the shops. Official figures earlier this month showed the UK’s headline inflation rate rose by more than expected to 3.6% in June, as fuel and food prices added to the pressure on households.
Britain’s largest retailers have warned hot, dry weather had reduced fruit and vegetable harvest yields, adding to last month’s inflation rate. The price of chocolate on UK supermarket shelves has also been pushed up by poor harvests linked to extreme temperatures in west Africa, while coffee prices have been pumped up by bad weather hitting production in Brazil and Vietnam.
Drawing together climate data, analysis of international and domestic trade flows, and economic modelling, the Autonomy researchers said that increasing numbers of heatwaves and droughts would imperil staple crops, disrupt supply chains and intensify inflationary pressures.
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https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/jul/28/climateflation-could-push-up-uk-food-prices-by-more-than-a-third-by-2050-report-says