Foodbuy Group raise over £100,000 at annual charity day!
14 September 2026
From reduced crop yields to increased pricing volatility, extreme weather is creating new challenges for operators. We sat down with Adele Smith, Fresh Food Category Lead at Foodbuy Group, to explore the impact of the recent heatwaves on UK produce. She shares practical strategies for building supply chain resilience:
“Extreme weather is becoming an increasingly significant factor in UK food production, with prolonged periods of heat and dry weather placing pressure on key crops including wheat, potatoes, brassicas, lettuce and tomatoes. The result is increasing uncertainty around availability, quality and pricing across the supply chain.
For operators, these conditions can create difficult decisions around menu planning, procurement strategies and cost management. At Foodbuy Group, we work closely with our strong network of supplier partners and our culinary teams, to help our clients navigate these challenges and maintain continuity of supply.
These pressures highlight the importance of proactive procurement, supplier collaboration and sourcing flexibility to help hospitality operators manage supply risks and maintain menu consistency.”
“I would advise that avoiding specific products altogether is not needed at this time, but operators should be mindful of categories currently facing the greatest supply chain risk and plan ahead.
The potato crop continues to be severely impacted by the recent dry weather, with baker grades being most affected. The high temperatures and lack of regular irrigation stunts the growth of potatoes, where they either slow down or stop growing entirely when temperatures reach 25°C, reducing tuber size and resulting in smaller, poor-quality potatoes. This is having an impact on our larger grade potatoes, referred to as 40’s and 50’s, which are often used in menus as Jacket potatoes.
Early harvest in July has been poor, and the outlook is not improving for main harvest in September, which means the full potato season is likely to be a challenge, with low yields going into store for next year, putting pressure on availability and price.
The effect of El Nino is yet to be fully realised. The change in weather pattern affects not only UK crop, but crop across Europe, which contract caterers will be looking to move into come late Autumn/Winter. Where we have experienced drought, we are likely now to see heavy rain and with the ground being so dry, this could lead to flooding in fields, affecting the ability to harvest and continuing to damage crop.
Salad crops, including lettuce, cucumbers and tomatoes, are among the most vulnerable. These crops are highly sensitive to both water availability and temperature fluctuations, making quality and yield more susceptible to prolonged hot weather. Buyers should maintain flexibility within menus where possible, while diversifying sourcing across multiple growers and regions to reduce dependence on any single supply source.
Wheat has also been affected, with some crops reaching only around half their typical height due to a lack of moisture during critical growing periods. This is accelerating harvest schedules as growers seek to preserve nutritional value before quality deteriorates further.
Brassicas such as broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage are also under pressure, with slower growth rates, reduced head sizes and, in some cases, market-wide shortages. Potatoes are also experiencing quality and yield challenges, which may impact availability, specification and pricing.
Heat stress is also contributing to increased pest pressure, particularly from aphids and other insects that thrive in warmer conditions. This can further impact crop quality, yield and production costs.
Through our close supplier relationships and ongoing market monitoring, Foodbuy Group is helping clients anticipate these challenges, identify practical alternatives and make informed procurement decisions before supply issues become critical.”
“While most crops still require adequate rainfall and soil moisture to reach their full yield potential, understanding which categories demonstrate greater resilience can help our clients to make informed decisions.
Maize, which is most commonly used for breakfast cereals, oils, snacks and sweeteners, as well as animal feed and renewable biofuels, generally performs better than many other arable crops during warmer summers due to its drought tolerance. However, prolonged periods of extreme heat can still place the crop under stress and may lead to earlier harvesting. While maize is proving more resilient than many other crops, current conditions are not creating a surplus, and rainfall remains critical to maintaining yields.
The heat did serve our berry crop well this year. British strawberries were some of the best we’ve had this year because of the heat - they have ripened quicker and been sweeter. Buying British or when in season is something we always strive for to support local farming. However, a collaborative approach with suppliers will be critical to navigating availability challenges over the coming months.
Where fresh supply becomes constrained, operators should consider alternatives that can help maintain continuity while managing cost and quality.
For example, frozen fruit and vegetables can provide a highly effective solution. Frozen products offer longer shelf life, reduced waste and greater supply stability, as many products are frozen at peak quality. Frozen products can also deliver operational benefits through reduced preparation requirements and lower labour costs in kitchens.
Buyers should also consider regional sourcing flexibility. For example, where quality challenges emerge in southern production regions, switching to crops grown in cooler areas such as Scotland or northern England may improve availability and consistency. We have seen this recently in the potato crop, where Scottish growers have seen a better early harvest than those in the East Anglia. The key is to remain agile and avoid over-reliance on a single crop origin or growing region.”
“Although weather-related disruption cannot always be avoided, businesses that take a proactive approach to procurement will be better placed to manage uncertainty. By combining strong supplier partnerships, flexible sourcing strategies and menu adaptability, we help operators to build greater resilience and maintain continuity for their customers.
At Foodbuy Group, we have a consistent approach, working closely with suppliers and clients to help navigate evolving market conditions and identify practical solutions that mitigate risk. As weather-related pressures continue to shape the market, proactive planning and sourcing flexibility will be key to maintaining continuity and managing costs.”
For support with your procurement, contact us here.
