There’s a warning increases in food prices are “inevitable” as production costs soar due to the war in Ukraine.
It comes as farmers warn the impact on their industry has been “seismic”.
Michael Oakes, Dairy Board chairman for the National Farmers’ Union, told Sky News: “I don’t think anybody in my generation’s ever seen anything like this.
Ukraine war live updates: Russians questioning their government in internet searches
“I think there’s real concern for food security in the UK.
“The amount of food and choice and the price of food and affordability is going to be a big challenge.”
Mr Oakes, who runs his own dairy farm in Worcestershire, says the costs of fertiliser and animal feed have almost doubled since the war began.
He’s had to make the difficult decision in the last week to slaughter some of his dairy herd in order to pay rising bills.
“You’ve got to look at how you can generate cash,” he says. “So we’ve actually sent some cows away early slaughter just to bring in a bit more cash.”
Wheat and fuel costs affected by invasion
Costs had already been creeping up over recent years. First Brexit, then concern over labour shortages were followed by supply chain issues during the pandemic.
Mr Oakes said he has had to slaughter some of his dairy cows to pay for rising costs
But Mr Oakes says price rises since the war in Ukraine began now pose a real threat to the future of his business.
“In January 2021 we were paying just under £300 for a tonne of fertiliser,” he says. “Before the war that had risen to £600.”
“Now it’s £1,000. And we’ve got a 60% increase in feed costs.”
Tom Holder says supermarkets will have to increase the cost of some items
The surge in prices is due to disruption…
Source : skynews
