Glut of early fruit and veg hits UK as climate change closes ‘hungry gap’

theguardian.comPublished: 5/2/2025

Summary

A dry and warm spring has allowed Britain's farmers to bypass the "hungry gap," traditionally when winter crops end and summer ones aren't ready. This year, vegetables like strawberries are growing weeks earlier than usual, thanks to favorable conditions that have eliminated food shortages typically associated with this period. However, climate change's unpredictability remains a challenge, with farmers adapting their techniques to manage erratic weather extremes. Despite these challenges, many are reaping benefits from an otherwise successful growing season.