Households face rising food costs due to degraded soils and climate volatility, according to the Save Soil movement. The campaign group estimates a typical family could pay hundreds of pounds more each year as degraded soils recover slowly from droughts, heatwaves, and floods, leading to larger yield losses and sharper price swings.
Impact on Household Budgets
Campaigners argue that restoring soil health is among the most cost-effective ways to buffer future shocks. Low-income families, who spend a larger share of their budget on food, are particularly vulnerable. Praveena Sridhar, chief policy and science officer of Save Soil, said: “Prices are driven by energy, labour and global markets, but soil decides how hard each shock lands. Healthy soil holds water through a drought and structure through a flood, so yields hold and prices steady.”
Climate Patterns and Import Pressures
In June, the Met Office warned that the El Nino climate pattern could bring milder, wetter, and windier weather to the UK during autumn and early winter. El Nino, a warming of the Pacific Ocean near the equator, occurs irregularly every two to seven years and typically lasts nine to 12 months. Concerns also mount that UK food imports face pressure from climate impacts, with speculation that 2027 could become the hottest year on record.
Staples at Risk
Save Soil highlighted that staples such as potatoes, bread, and vegetables are particularly exposed. The group is calling for a legally binding soil health target, a national soil-monitoring scheme, and funding for farmer advice and training.
Government Response
A Government spokesperson said: “We are taking a range of actions to keep prices down for households, including the cost of the weekly shop. We’ve committed to maintaining domestic food production by investing billions in the development of new technology to increase yields, develop climate resilient crops and help farmers produce more food; and we’re increasing our water supply by building new reservoirs for the first time in 30 years.” The spokesperson added that the Government will launch “the 25-year farming road map with specific measures to boost soil health and support our farmers in a changing climate.”
Inflation Context
Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures released last week showed UK inflation unexpectedly flatlined at 2.8% in May, the same rate as in April. Food and drink inflation eased to 2.2% from 3% in April, the lowest since December 2024, as a slowdown in food price rises offset pressure from air fares.
