An NFU survey has revealed farmer confidence is at an all-time low.
The survey of English and Welsh farmers revealed short and mid-term confidence is at its lowest since records began in 2010, with many surveyed expecting to decrease production over the next year.
The impact of relentless wet weather is seen in survey results. 82% of respondents said their farm businesses have suffered fairly negative (52%) or very negative impacts (30%). Since the survey was undertaken at the end of 2023 wet weather has continued through January, February and March. The NFU believes if the survey was undertaken now the findings could be worse.
Farm business profitability has also fallen with 65% of respondents saying their profits are declining or their business may not even survive.
NFU President Tom Bradshaw said: “These figures paint a really stark picture. Confidence has collapsed after months of devastating flooding, unsustainably high production costs and low market returns, and against a backdrop of reduced farm support as we transition to a new Domestic Agriculture Policy and associated farm support.
“Any business owner knows that without confidence and a steady cash flow, businesses will struggle to re-invest and remain viable. We have already lost more than 7,000 agricultural businesses since 2019 – no one wants to see that increase, least of all our customers who value the high quality, sustainable food British farmers produce. With climate change wreaking havoc on food systems across the world and geo-political tensions high, Britain cannot afford to lose its ability to feed itself.”
Tom wants politicians to support homegrown food production as part of the fight against the cost-of-living crisis. “With food inflation still high and families struggling with food bills, supporting homegrown food production must be part of this.”
