The effects of climate change on the fresh produce industry

With the Fresh Produce Consortium event starting in just two days, I felt it appropriate to talk about climate change; it is happening, and we need to take actions now. Weather patterns are becoming less predictable; potable water is becoming scarce; pests and diseases are becoming more resilient. All of which are factors in declining crop yields, and crop quality.  

Weather patterns 

For the longest time, the UK weather was mild, and fairly predictable. The temperatures remained in a certain range, and farmers had a good idea of when to start and stop growing food. In 2022, the UK recorded its hottest ever temperature since records began. The weather fluctuating from one extreme to another, such as flooding and drought warnings. Across the world, there are countries seeing devastating droughts that have dried up entire riverbeds. All of these adverse weather affects are having a direct impact on the production of fresh produce. The reason why droughts are serious, it can cause soil erosion, reduce soil fertility, and cause crops to wither and die. Floods have a different affect, as they wash away topsoil, and aide the spread of water-borne diseases.  

Water 

The Earth is very unlikely to run out of water in general, but potable water scarcity is being sped up by climate change. As the population grows, so does the need for more resources. Food will become harder to grow with less available water; particularly if you are growing in a region that has to use irrigation. Water is not only used in the growing stages of crop production, it is used everywhere, from processing to packaging.  

Pest and disease resistance and migration 

As the climate changes, pests and diseases are adapting. This is causing diseases to become more resilient, and pest to migrate. Pest migration can cause untold damages to a crop yield, especially to farmers who have never dealt with a certain pest before. Due to the nature of the production of fresh produce, any unexpected issues can severely reduce the yield, and cause food shortages.  

What can be done to mitigate the effects of climate change on the fresh produce industry? 

Adopt better practices 

One solution is to adopt more sustainable farming practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote soil health. This can include practices such as crop rotation, cover cropping, and reduced tillage. These practices can improve soil fertility, reduce erosion, and increase the resilience of crops to weather events. 

New technologies 

Invest in new technologies that can help mitigate the effects of climate change on the fresh produce industry. For example, precision agriculture technologies such as drones, sensors, and machine learning algorithms can help farmers monitor soil moisture levels, detect pests and diseases, and optimize irrigation and fertilizer use. This can help farmers reduce water use, fertilizer use, and pesticide use, while increasing yields and reducing the impact of climate change on their crops. The fresh produce industry can also invest in new technologies such as blockchain and IoT to improve the traceability and transparency of the supply chain. This can help farmers and producers better understand where their produce is coming from and how it is being transported and stored, which can help reduce waste, improve quality, and increase consumer trust.