Top of the crops: record heatwaves help deliver bumper UK berry harvest
UK berry growers are reporting a bumper harvest despite a summer marked by record heatwaves, drought and wildfires. Investment in polytunnels, water storage and drip irrigation has helped protect high-value berry crops, offering a contrast with significant losses in other parts of British agriculture.
With about two-thirds of the crop picked, berry volumes are 6% higher than 2025’s already strong yield, especially for blackberries, blueberries and raspberries. Late-season strawberries may slow as plants become exhausted, while blackcurrant output is expected to fall 10%; meanwhile wheat yields are 13% below the five-year average and spring barley is forecast to be about a quarter lower. Around 40% of berry producers still lack reservoirs or licensed boreholes, leaving some vulnerable to water restrictions during drought.
- UK berry harvest rises despite extreme summer heat
- Irrigation investment protected many growers’ crops
- Other arable and vegetable producers faced major losses
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British berry farms range from open fields to crops grown under polytunnels, which can shelter plants from harsh weather. Some growers have also invested in reservoirs, boreholes and drip irrigation to store and deliver water when rainfall is scarce.
The main crops include strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries and blackcurrants, each with its own growing season and water needs. Berry production is one part of British farming, alongside larger crops such as wheat and barley, which are more exposed to conditions across open fields.
The results matter to growers, food suppliers and shoppers because weather can affect how much produce is available and the costs of growing it. Access to stored water is uneven, so farms may face different risks when drought brings restrictions.
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The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
British berry growers have demonstrated that agriculture can thrive through strategic infrastructure investment—polytunnels, water storage and drip irrigation have yielded a 6% increase despite heatwaves and drought. This shows genuine resilience and competitive advantage, suggesting the UK can adapt to changing climate conditions and build profitable, export-competitive sectors even in challenging circumstances.
The case against
The story masks a broader agricultural crisis. Whilst capital-rich berry producers achieve record yields through substantial infrastructure investment, most UK farmers face declining harvests—wheat down 13%, spring barley down 25%. This two-tier outcome reflects structural inequality: climate change is creating winners and losers, and celebrating sectoral success obscures the vulnerability of British food security and the majority of farmers who lack equivalent resources to adapt.