Farm input inflation has reached unprecedented levels in Great Britain, with seven out of nine categories seeing double-digit cost increases in the past year, threatening the viability of many farm businesses. As Philip Clarke reports for Farmers Weekly, latest figures from the country’s largest buying group, AF, show that, in the 12 months to September 2022, the cost of farm inputs went up by an “eye-watering” 34%.
Animal feed and medicine, fuel and power, and fertilisers saw the greatest increases at 36%, 43% and 134%, respectively, while machinery (including depreciation) climbed 25%.
AF chief executive David Horton-Fawkes described the results as “alarming”. “These findings are an existential threat to many farmers and we are seeing signs that some businesses are beginning to struggle,” he said.
Overall, the gap between the increased costs to consumers and the actual costs of food production is widening, with serious shortfalls for beef and lamb (18%), granulated sugar, bread and margarine (all about 20%) and, worst of all, potatoes (29%).
Source: Farmers Weekly. Read the full story here
Photo: Credit Tim Scrivener via Farmers Weekly
