Waitrose has announced that harvests are arriving two weeks early due to drought, meaning autumnal fruits will be available in summer. Farmers supplying the supermarket are gathering wheat, oilseed rape, oats, and malting barley a fortnight ahead of schedule. The combination of low rainfall and hot weather has sped up crop growth, leading to earlier ripening.
Thomas Adami, farming operations manager at supplier Leckford Farm, explained that drought stress caused plants to rush through their growth stages to produce seeds before aging, resulting in the early harvest. He noted that his team’s use of regenerative farming—such as cover crops, integrating livestock, and minimizing soil disturbance—has helped improve soil quality and water retention, reducing some of the worst drought effects. Increasing soil organic matter by just 1% allows each hectare to hold an extra 168,000 litres of water for crops, he added.
Waitrose expects apples and berries to appear on shelves up to two weeks early. Jessica Street, an apple buyer for the supermarket, credited ideal spring conditions and a warm growing season for accelerating ripening.
However, vegetables that need more water, like carrots, potatoes, and brassicas, are struggling. This summer is on track to be one of the warmest since 1884, following England’s driest spring on record. Some regions may face an extremely dry summer.
Rachel Hallos, vice-president of the National Farmers’ Union, warned that extreme weather is harming food production and could have serious financial impacts on farms. Last year’s harvest suffered from heavy rain; this year, it’s drought. These swings between drought and flood are becoming more frequent and severe. She called for investment in climate adaptation, resilient crops, water infrastructure, and planning reforms to capture and store water during wetter periods.
Broccoli yields have dropped by over 50%, and shoppers should expect smaller vegetables. The British Growers Association reports that brassica supplies are limited.
According to the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, the UK is heading toward its sixth or seventh worst harvest in 40 years, following the second worst last year (due to flooding) and the worst on record in 2020. Rainfall has been below average for six consecutive months, and England is currently facing a significant water shortage, with dry conditions expected to continue.The dry spell is expected to continue until mid-autumn. According to the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, arid conditions could persist well into October, increasing pressure on water supplies as rivers, reservoirs, and aquifers are already at very low levels. Five regions in England are currently in drought: Yorkshire; Cumbria and Lancashire; Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire; the East Midlands; and the West Midlands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the early autumn harvest at Waitrose designed to be clear and helpful for all levels of interest
General Information
Q What is the main news about Waitrose and the harvest
A Waitrose has reported that due to this summers drought conditions the autumn harvest of many British fruits and vegetables has arrived about two weeks earlier than usual
Q Why did the harvest come in early
A The hot dry weather caused crops to ripen much faster than in a typical year with more rainfall and moderate temperatures
Q What does autumn harvest actually include
A It refers to seasonal produce like apples pears plums blackberries pumpkins squash parsnips and Brussels sprouts
For Shoppers
Q Will there be less food available because of this
A Not necessarily The overall quantity might be similar but it was all ready to pick in a shorter earlier window The main change is timing not necessarily amount
Q Does this mean autumn produce will run out sooner
A Its possible Because the harvesting started early the peak availability for some items might also end earlier than normal Its best to buy your favourites while theyre plentiful
Q Will prices be affected
A Its hard to say for sure An early and condensed harvest can sometimes lead to gluts which might lower prices temporarily However drought can also reduce crop size and quality which could increase prices Waitrose will work to manage costs for customers
Q What should I look for in the store right now
A Look for great deals on classic autumn produce like British apples pears and plums as they are currently in peak season and abundance
Deeper Dive
Q How does drought actually make fruit and vegetables ripen faster
A Plants are under stress from lack of water To survive they may accelerate their life cycleincluding flowering and fruitingto produce seeds for the next generation before they perish
Q Does an early harvest affect the taste or quality of the produce
A It can Drought stress can sometimes lead to smaller fruit sizes or a higher concentration of sugars which might make them taste sweeter However
