PEOPLE in England and Wales have turned to Scottish food producers following drought south of the Border.
This summer, the UK experienced its hottest summer on record, with five intense heatwaves alongside historic dry spells that triggered widespread drought declarations and hosepipe bans.
The extreme weather has meant that farmers in England and Wales have seen poor grazing conditions, stunted harvests, and heat strain on livestock.
A Scottish firm has now said it has seen a spike in demand south of the Border.
Ayrshire-based Mossgiel Organic Dairy has sent 56,000 litres of Scottish organic milk to England and Wales, and was asked to supply a further 40,000 litres, which it did not have available.
The company's founder, farmer Bryce Cunningham, said he had received three calls within the space of 10 minutes asking what milk Mossgiel could supply for the following week.
Cunningham added that the level of interest was "unprecedented" for the farm and demonstrated how quickly the market had tightened, with businesses now looking further afield to secure supplies.
While Mossgiel has experienced some heat stress among its cows and periods of poor grass growth during the recent heatwave, the farm has largely avoided the worst effects of the weather.
Cunningham said there has been a "notable" contrast with competitors further south, adding that Scottish producers are now being approached to help meet demand that businesses in England and Wales are struggling to fulfill.
Other areas of food production, including fruit, are said to be feeling similar pressures.
Cunningham said: “What’s happening further south is a real concern because these pressures ultimately affect farmers and food producers everywhere.
"We’re seeing businesses looking to Scotland because they need supply, but there needs to be support for producers who are dealing with increasingly difficult growing conditions.”
Meanwhile, Scottish cider producers are also watching the situation closely, as growers south of the Border face mounting pressure.
Angus Morrison, founder of Lost Orchards, said the changing climate is already influencing where producers source fruit, with Scotland’s growing conditions potentially offering an alternative for apples and soft fruit as conditions become more challenging elsewhere in the UK.
While English orchard growers are struggling to find reliable water supplies, Scottish producers are experiencing a more mixed picture.
Some crops are benefitting from the warmer weather, but producers remain conscious of the longer-term implications of climate change.
The increased movement of food and drink supplies across the border is said to be indicative of the wider pressure climate change is placing on UK agriculture, rather than an indication that Scottish producers are immune from its effects.
Morrison continued: “What we’re seeing is a really telling example of how climate change is beginning to affect where food can be grown and how businesses source it.
“We’re in constant dialogue with our friends south of the Border, and the challenges being reported by growers in England this year show just how difficult prolonged heat and drought can be for the industry.
"English apple growers are considered some of the best in the world, with generations of knowledge and experience behind them, but even the best growers are having to contend with conditions that are becoming increasingly difficult to manage."
He added: “Growers have very different conditions, access to water and infrastructure, and that can make a huge difference in a year like this. For us, it’s about recognising what is happening on the ground and finding ways to keep these businesses and growers viable as the climate continues to change.”
