The UK currently imports 80% of its fruit and 47% of its vegetables making the country vulnerable to price hikes.
A report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) says that the issues have previously risen due to climate change events that affect supply.
This year farms across the UK have been affected by wildfires and drought, leading to extra funding from the government. But the imported food also comes from areas that are experiencing declines in fruit and veg yields and crop suitability.
This can be particularly seen in tropical and semi-tropical regions with the Mediterranean, North Africa and South and Central America key global regions with high vulnerability.
The IPCC say if no action is taken to improve resilience, higher temperatures will lead to yield losses, heat stress, and quality drops in global fruits, vegetables and annual crops.
The UK has one of the lowest food self-sufficiency ratios among large Western European countries. It also has one of the highest reliance rates on imported fruit in the continent.
The IPCC also say that the government’s Horticulture Sector Growth Plan should ensure affordable food, fair prices for British farmers and a plan to help the UK adapt to changing weather patterns at home and abroad.
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