UK farmers warn soaring gas costs could cut food production

The NFU says producers of crops such as aubergines, cucumbers and peppers are looking at a drop of up to 50% in the amount they can afford to grow. Photograph: Nigel Cattlin/Alamy

The National Farmers’ Union has warned of a huge drop in UK-grown crops, including peppers, cucumbers and aubergines, as it becomes too expensive to produce them.

The NFU said producers of crops who use glasshouses are looking at a drop of up to 50% in the amount they can afford to grow because of the crippling increase in the cost of the gas they use for heating.