Record heat in England hits agriculture, food prices may rise

Extreme heat affecting England and Europe has hit agriculture; experts warn that food prices could rise.

Scraper SystemJuly 09, 2026, 11:06 AM

Record heat in England hits agriculture, food prices may rise

Extreme heat in June is threatening agricultural production in England. Hannah Cloke, Royal Professor of Meteorology and Climatology at the University of Reading, told RIA Novosti that the heatwave could lead to a rise in food prices.

At the end of June, temperatures in southeastern England exceeded 37 degrees Celsius, setting a historic record for the month. The temperature record was broken several times within a week, surpassing the previous record from 1976. June 2026 also went down as the hottest June on record. On the European continent, thermometers reached even higher levels.

Professor Cloke said, "Farmers are feeling it too. Heat and drought are having a negative impact on crops and livestock, reducing yields and driving up food prices. This is not just a health issue, it is also a matter of food security."

Cloke added that production systems, including food production systems, and cooling infrastructure need to be adapted to the new conditions.

Europe is experiencing one of the most intense heatwaves in recent years. The most affected countries include Spain, Portugal, France, Italy and Greece. French Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard said at the end of June that the extreme heat had caused major damage to the country's agriculture. France is one of the European Union's largest grain producers.