Experts Warn Wales Food Supply Faces Vulnerability Amid Climate Change and Floods

A co-founder of Our Food Trust, Duncan Fisher, has warned that summer droughts and potential winter flooding could leave Wales' food supply vulnerable. The country currently imports the vast majority of its fruit and vegetables, relying heavily on produce from regions in southern Europe and north Africa that are prone to droughts, fires, and overheating. Furthermore, experts point to a centralised food system dependent on supermarkets and just-in-time logistics as a major security hazard vulnerable to supply chain disruptions. To address this vulnerability, organisations and local growers are advocating for an increase in local horticulture and produce markets. Despite 90% of the country being used for agriculture, only a fraction of a percent is currently dedicated to growing fruit and vegetables. Growers highlight that barriers such as strict planning regulations for farm housing make it difficult for new farmers to establish local operations, though some temporary housing solutions are being tested in collaboration with local authorities.