UK relies on heat-stressed countries for fruit and veg it could grow itself – report

Heat-damaged tomato plants wilt in the sun in Leonding, Austria. Photograph: Lisa Leutner/Reuters

The UK is vulnerable to food price shocks because of its dependence on imports of fruit and vegetable from countries even more exposed to the climate crisis, researchers say.

Much of Britain has sweltered under a record five heatwaves this year and endured drought and wildfires, with the hot, dry conditions damaging crops and reducing yields of domestic produce.