This year’s harvest could be big even though farmers have endured some of the toughest conditions for many years, it has been claimed.
According to the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), the average wheat yield has grown from 7.7 tonnes on average per hectare in the last five years to 8.2 tonnes per hectare in 2008.
Mark Price, managing director at Waitrose, has already argued that a good harvest will be witnessed this year if the autumn weather improves – something that could lower food prices.
The figures are based on the Arable Crops Survey from the NFU and the department for environment, food and rural affairs.
A number of factors have meant that a larger harvest will be possible, the union said, such as “exceptional growing conditions”.
“It (2008) also shows the importance of research and development and science and technology in increasing food production,” said chairman of the combinable crops board Ian Backhouse.
Tesco boss Sir Terry Leahy has also said that food prices could dip in the next few months. Chief executive at Morrisons Marc Bolland has done likewise.
