Experts are warning that a healthy diet in the UK is at risk due to droughts in the Mediterranean region.

 

The shrinking supplies caused by drought and wildfires will lead to higher costs for fresh fruit and vegetables imported from Europe.

Climate breakdown is poised to jeopardize a healthy diet in the UK, as experts warn that European droughts are leading to a reduction in the supply of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Fresh produce sourced from the Mediterranean, upon which the UK heavily relies, is anticipated to become scarcer and more costly due to extreme heat causing reduced yields. This scenario is projected to hinder access to a nutritious diet, particularly impacting the most economically disadvantaged segments of society. These findings are highlighted in a report by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU).

Numerous food items imported from the Mediterranean cannot be cultivated in the UK for certain periods of the year or necessitate indoor growth. This practice involves more costly and energy-intensive procedures to safeguard and warm the cultivation environment. Furthermore, many of these items cannot be produced on a large scale in the UK. Examples falling under this category encompass cauliflowers, broccoli, and strawberries. Additionally, nearly two-thirds of the cucumbers and tomatoes brought into the UK fall within this classification, as well as almost a fifth of the total onion supply.

Furthermore, a significant portion of the UK's lemons and sweet peppers, more than half in fact, are sourced from the Mediterranean. Likewise, two-thirds of all oranges and 40% of table grapes also come from the same region. The production of olive oil is similarly impacted by extreme temperatures; a substantial 80% of the UK's olive oil supplies originate from the Mediterranean. This year, olive oil has experienced one of the most notable price hikes among food products, contributing to inflation.

According to the report, in 2022, slightly over a quarter of the UK's food imports – equivalent to 9.8 billion kilograms valued at just over £16 billion – were acquired from the Mediterranean area, predominantly consisting of fresh fruit and vegetables. Spain, grappling with severe extreme heat and drought, accounted for 7% of the UK's food imports, amounting to £4 billion.

Gareth Redmond-King, the Head of International Program at the Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit, commented, "In addition to the climate crisis, we are also facing a public health crisis. Most of us already consume insufficient quantities of fruits and vegetables, and healthier diets often tend to be costlier. As the impacts of climate change are poised to amplify the already elevated cost of the nutritious food we should be consuming more of, it will become even more unattainable for the most economically disadvantaged members of society."

He further emphasized that a significant number of these crops cannot be cultivated year-round in the UK at the necessary levels to sustain the population's demand. Thus, if the Mediterranean region faces continued extreme conditions, the UK will encounter progressively exacerbated shortages of fresh produce.

"The elevated temperatures witnessed in Europe this summer and in April would be nearly implausible without the influence of climate change," he stated. "These repercussions will intensify as our reliance on fossil fuels persists and greenhouse gas emissions continue, leading the UK towards an unpleasant reality characterized by exacerbated shortages and heightened costs. This should serve as a wake-up call regarding the vulnerability of our food supply chains in the face of climate change. It is not feasible to simply address the problem by increasing the production of these foods within the UK."

He continued, "The only assured method to avert even more severe and hazardous consequences is to limit global temperature increases to 1.5°C, and this can only be achieved by reducing our emissions to net zero."

Prior analysis by ECIU indicated that the climate crisis and elevated fossil fuel prices contributed over £400 to household grocery bills in 2022, culminating in an approximate £11.4 billion increase in the overall annual UK food expenditure.