Waitrose has begun its earliest harvest of wheat and oilseed rape due to record-breaking temperatures over recent months, as extreme heat across the UK raises concerns over food shortages.
The retailer, the only UK supermarket to own and operate its own farm—the Leckford Estate in Hampshire—has made the move because unprecedented extreme heat has caused crops to ripen faster than usual this year.
Farm manager calls it a 'wake-up call'
Dave Miles, farm manager at the Leckford Estate, described the situation as a 'wake-up call' to the impact of climate change. He told the Grocery Gazette: “The record-breaking heat we are experiencing is a stark wake-up call to our changing climate.
“Due to these unprecedented temperatures, this is the earliest wheat harvest we have ever seen, and our teams have been working tirelessly to bring the crop in safely.
“It is a powerful reminder of why regenerative farming and farming with nature is so essential. By building healthier soil with high organic matter, we can dramatically increase water retention, keeping crops viable even in extreme drought conditions.”
Impact on food prices and harvests
It is estimated that 9 million tonnes of crops across the UK and EU were destroyed due to recent conditions, which could have a major impact on the price of food. This could see countries producing their smallest harvest since 2018.
The National Drought Group is stepping up as areas of the country move closer to drought, with the recent extreme weather having a severe impact on the environment, water supplies, and food production.
NFU warns of difficult harvest
Paul Tompkins, Deputy President at the National Farmers Union, said: “Farmers and growers across the country are working around the clock to harvest crops which have come early, keep fruit and vegetables watered, and care for their livestock.
“Parts of the country, particularly in the east and south, have seen exceptionally low rainfall this spring and summer, creating real challenges for farm businesses. For many arable farmers, this could be another difficult and expensive harvest after extreme weather impacts in both 2024 and 2025 which saw both drought and flood.”
Waitrose's regenerative farming efforts
Waitrose's Leckford Estate spans 2,800 acres and is used as a trial area for sustainable farming practices to ensure the supermarket’s commitment to regenerative agriculture. In 2025, Waitrose invested £1 million and launched a collaboration with the Soil Association Exchange and Regenified to develop its support for regenerative farming practices. The estate has been practising regenerative agriculture methods since 2020 as part of its push towards eco-friendly farming.
