SHOPPERS are likely to face higher food prices in the months to come as farmers predict decreased production due to extreme wet weather.

A National Farming Union poll published today finds that confidence among farmers in England and Wales has hit an all-time low, with more than four fifths warning that relentless rain has slashed their yield.

Analysis by the Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit of crop area forecasts found that production of wheat, barley, oats and oilseed rape could fall by four million tonnes this year compared with 2023: a reduction of 17.5 per cent.

The experts warned that lower yields from such key crops could lead to higher food prices if the losses cannot be offset by imports from a stronger global commodities market.

But NFU president Tom Bradshaw argued that relying on imports is “naive at best and foolish at worst” as climate change grows as a risk to food systems globally.

He said: “I don’t think anyone can underestimate the impact that this last 18 months of exceptional weather has had,” he said.

The conditions have compounded other problems for English and Welsh farmers, such as increased costs, inflationary pressures, labour shortages and cheaper imports, he said.

Arable and livestock farmers were found to have the worst confidence in both the short and mid-term, the next year and the next three respectively, with livestock, poultry and horticulture also set to decrease production over the next year.

Results of the survey also suggest that the highest proportion of farmers see the phase-out of the old EU basic payment scheme towards new subsidy schemes as an issue that will negatively affect their businesses in 2024.

Farming Minister Mark Spencer said: “I will continue to listen and work with farmers to look at what further support can be offered during this challenging period.”