For much of British farming, the summer has meant parched land, tight water supplies, and intense pressure on growers. Berry producers, though, offer one example of how long-term water planning can change the outcome.
Here's what to know
Blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries are posting the biggest gains, and British Berry Growers says the 2026 season is 6% ahead of 2025 with about two-thirds of the crop already picked, as The Guardian reported Aug. 27.
A big reason is the way many berry farms are set up. Much of the U.K. crop is produced in polytunnels and supplied through drip irrigation, which helps meter water accurately and buffer plants from the worst heat even as warm weather speeds development.
"British growers have collectively invested millions of pounds over many years to improve resilience to these conditions," Nick Marston, chair of British Berry Growers, told the newspaper. "That includes developing secure water supplies, from winter storage reservoirs to highly efficient, computer-controlled drip irrigation systems that deliver water precisely where it's needed."
There is still concern that the heat could rear its ugly head.
"The hot weather could reduce the size of fruit as berries ripen sooner, but the industry had a good start to the season with a dull April and May and berries remained within supermarket specifications," Marston said, per The Guardian.
TCD Picks » Quince Spotlight
💡These best-sellers from Quince deliver affordable, sustainable luxury for all
More background
That success has unfolded during a season that has been punishing for much of the rest of British agriculture, with five heat waves, drought, and wildfires. The difference has highlighted how much targeted resilience spending can matter when farm sectors are absorbing great damage.
The wider crop picture remains bleak. The government-backed Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board said wheat harvests were coming in 13% below the five-year average, while spring barley was expected to end up about a quarter below that mark, its lowest level since comparable records began in 1999, per The Guardian.
"The cumulative effect of successive poor harvests will be placing immense financial pressure on many arable businesses right now," Anthony Hopkins, director of cereals and oilseeds at the AHDB, told the outlet.
Berry farms have not avoided every setback, however. Black currant volumes are expected to drop 10%, and The Guardian reported that late-season strawberries may taper off after plants produced heavily during the heat.
Even so, the season points to how specific investments in technology can make food production more resilient as the climate warms.
What's being done?
Key upgrades include winter storage reservoirs and computer-controlled drip irrigation that directs water only to the places that need it. That more exact approach can reduce waste, support yields, and maintain fruit quality during extreme weather.
Marston said those systems have helped berry farms cope with conditions that have been tough for many other producers. He also praised eased planning restrictions for on-farm reservoirs while urging changes to river abstraction rules so farms can store more water in winter for use during drier months.
The benefits could extend to households as well. More dependable harvests can mean better access to nutritious food and fewer surprises in the produce aisle.
"Growers have already invested in water security, but a lot more needs to be done," Marston said.
Where can I learn more?
Farmers elsewhere are making similar changes to protect crops from heat and water stress, while many projects add clean energy production into the equation. Even if it is vegetables, orchards, and greenhouses rather than U.K. berries, they point to the same takeaway that the right infrastructure can help steady harvests.
• On working farms, solar panels above crops are easing heat stress while preserving vegetable yields.
• In peach orchards, agrivoltaic systems promote growth while cutting energy costs for family farms.
• In greenhouses, solar windows paired with crops are producing food and energy together.
Resilience goes beyond irrigation, stretching to shade, energy, and greenhouse design. In a tough year for agriculture, those kinds of long-term investments are standing out.
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
