Food prices could rise further because exceptionally wet weather has led to delays in the harvest, industry experts have told the BBC.
Food prices could rise further because exceptionally wet weather has led to delays in the harvest, industry experts have told the BBC.
Farmers say they are behind on gathering in crops and are using valuable fuel to dry them for storage.
Farmers say they are behind on gathering in crops and are using valuable fuel to dry them for storage.
In a bid to help, the government has temporarily relaxed rules banning farmers from using equipment on waterlogged soil to get to crops.
In a bid to help, the government has temporarily relaxed rules banning farmers from using equipment on waterlogged soil to get to crops.
Other experts say plentiful worldwide supplies should keep prices stable.
Other experts say plentiful worldwide supplies should keep prices stable.
Farmers say this growing season started well but torrential rain means harvesting has been delayed and in some areas only a tiny percentage of crops have been gathered.
Farmers say this growing season started well but torrential rain means harvesting has been delayed and in some areas only a tiny percentage of crops have been gathered.
In a statement, the National Farmers' Union said: "Farming is suffering because of record rainfalls that have been recorded in the last few months.
In a statement, the National Farmers' Union said: "Farming is suffering because of record rainfalls that have been recorded in the last few months.
"Fields have been flooded and it has been impossible, in some parts of the country, to access crops. We need to do all we can to help the harvest and I hope this decision will go some way to assist farmers who have been most affected Environment Secretary Hilary Benn
"Fields have been flooded and it has been impossible, in some parts of the country, to access crops. We need to do all we can to help the harvest and I hope this decision will go some way to assist farmers who have been most affected Environment Secretary Hilary Benn
"A poor harvest will impact on all sectors, not just grain, with a lack of fodder for animal feed, as well as having a knock-on effect in terms of planting for next year's crop.
"A poor harvest will impact on all sectors, not just grain, with a lack of fodder for animal feed, as well as having a knock-on effect in terms of planting for next year's crop.
"For wheat and barley, in particular, the harvest is both difficult and expensive in terms of gathering and drying wet, sodden crops."
"For wheat and barley, in particular, the harvest is both difficult and expensive in terms of gathering and drying wet, sodden crops."
Farmers are usually barred from using machinery on waterlogged soil by rules aimed at protecting fertile land.
Farmers are usually barred from using machinery on waterlogged soil by rules aimed at protecting fertile land.
But Environment Secretary Hilary Benn yesterday relaxed the restrictions until 4 October.
But Environment Secretary Hilary Benn yesterday relaxed the restrictions until 4 October.
He said: "We need to do all we can to help the harvest and I hope this decision will go some way to assist farmers who have been most affected."
He said: "We need to do all we can to help the harvest and I hope this decision will go some way to assist farmers who have been most affected."
BBC environment correspondent Sarah Mukherjee said farmers across Britain are reporting damage to combine harvesters as they try to cut crops in waterlogged fields.
BBC environment correspondent Sarah Mukherjee said farmers across Britain are reporting damage to combine harvesters as they try to cut crops in waterlogged fields.
Water can be wrung out of grain by hand as it is so wet, and thousands of pounds is being spent on fuel to dry sodden crops.
Water can be wrung out of grain by hand as it is so wet, and thousands of pounds is being spent on fuel to dry sodden crops.
Higher prices
Higher prices
The NFU also expects yield to be down by up to 10% because some grain has started to sprout.
The NFU also expects yield to be down by up to 10% because some grain has started to sprout.
Food prices in UK shops have risen by 8.3% since January, an index compiled for the BBC said last week.
Food prices in UK shops have risen by 8.3% since January, an index compiled for the BBC said last week.
Some in the industry fear the wet harvest will inevitably mean to higher prices still.
Some in the industry fear the wet harvest will inevitably mean to higher prices still.
But others say that, if the weather turns, the quantity and quality of the harvest could still be good.
But others say that, if the weather turns, the quantity and quality of the harvest could still be good.
The food price index produced for the BBC last week showed meat and fish up 22.9% with fresh fruit and vegetables up 14.7%.
The food price index produced for the BBC last week showed meat and fish up 22.9% with fresh fruit and vegetables up 14.7%.
Retail analysts Verdict Research also found price rises of nearly 50% for some individual food items.
Retail analysts Verdict Research also found price rises of nearly 50% for some individual food items.
Have you been affected by the issues covered in this story? Are you a farmer or work in the food industry? Send us your comments using the form below.
Have you been affected by the issues covered in this story? Are you a farmer or work in the food industry? Send us your comments using the form below.
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