McCain Foods’ second annual Farmdex report finds farmers facing extreme weather, rising costs and policy uncertainty, but looking to technology, sustainable practices and stronger government support to build resilience and secure the future of British agriculture.
Scarborough, Wednesday 7th October 2026 – Mounting uncertainty is making it harder for British farmers to plan for the future, according to McCain Foods GB&I’s second annual Farmdex report, published today.
More than eight in ten farmers (86%) say policy uncertainty is negatively affecting their farm, while three in four (74%) report increasingly unpredictable weather is making it harder to manage their farm effectively. Rising input costs remain another major concern, with 87% saying they have significantly affected profitability over the past year.
The McCain Farmdex gives farmers across Britain a platform to share their experiences and perspectives of life on the farm today. From growing climate and economic pressures to the future of food security and the next generation of farming, the report provides a snapshot of how farmers are navigating an increasingly complex landscape while identifying the support needed to build a more resilient future.
This year’s findings reveal a sector under significant pressure, yet one that continues to demonstrate resilience and determination to adapt.
A sector under pressure
Financial pressures remain acute. More than a quarter of farmers (27%) reported making a loss or breaking even in the past year, while 29% made only 1-5% profit. Two in five (42%) have considered leaving farming due to financial constraints, and 40% question whether they will still be farming in ten years.
Long-term food security – and the case for investment
Those pressures are shaping how farmers view Britain’s long-term food security. Just 5% are optimistic about Britain’s ability to secure its future food supply, while 87% are pessimistic, citing reliance on imports and the challenge of competitive pricing.
Against this backdrop, 91% believe more investment in British farming is needed to safeguard the UK’s long-term food security, leaving little doubt that change is needed.
Farmers also highlight the importance of long-term certainty and practical support. Many say confidence to invest depends on government support that improves long-term profitability (61%) and simpler application and compliance requirements (47%).
Trade policy has emerged as farmers’ top priority this year, with 53% of farmers (up from 44% in 2025) identifying better trade policies to protect British farmers as the single most important action policymakers could take. Many farmers are concerned that cheaper imports produced to lower standards are undermining British produce, profitability and, ultimately, food security.
Climate and sustainability: from concern to opportunity
This year’s record-breaking drought has placed climate change firmly at the centre of farmers’ concerns: 27% cite it as one of the biggest pressures on their farm’s finances, and 34% see it as one of the biggest long-term threats to British farming’s growth.
In response, a majority (64%) agree sustainable practices are essential to farming’s future, and 65% have invested at least somewhat in sustainable practices over the past five years. Notably, farmers who have made significant investment in sustainability are twice as optimistic about the future of British farming as the average (35%[1] vs 17%), reinforcing a consistent link between action and outlook.
James Young, Vice President Agriculture, McCain Foods, GB&I: “One year on from our inaugural Farmdex report, this year’s iteration should leave little doubt about the issues farmers are facing. While some indicators have improved, the overall picture shows a sector continuing to face significant challenges. The global picture is tumultuous and domestically it has been one of the hottest, driest summers on record.
“No single group can secure the future of British farming alone. Farmers, businesses, industry bodies and policymakers all have a role to play in giving farmers greater certainty, creating a level playing field, and driving long-term investment. If we get that right, we can support profitable farms today while building a resilient food system for generations to come."
McCain’s calls to action:
In response to these findings, McCain is calling on Government, industry and partners to:
- Commit to a level of investment and focus on food and farming that reflects its full value, both economically and aligning with the Government’s belief that ‘food security is national security’
- Support wider adoption of regenerative farming to strengthen food security and farm profitability
- Prioritise water resilience to protect farm productivity and long-term food security
- Drive technology adoption and the upskilling of the farming workforce to build a more productive, resilient sector
- Secure fair-trade deals that hold imports to the same standards as British produce
For further insights on the Farmdex, please find the full report here.
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Republic conducted an online survey of 200 farmers in Britain between 22-31 July 2026. This survey tracked key metrics from the inaugural Farmdex survey, conducted with 200 British farmers between 14-18 July 2025. Due to the nature of the sample, exact demographic quotas could not be applied; however, consistency with the previous wave was ensured on region, farm ownership and main type of farming. The survey was scripted and hosted by Omnisis, MRS Company Partners and members of the British Polling Council.
The Demos research referenced above, ‘Growing Strong: the sustainable farming dividend for economic and food security’, is available at: demos.co.uk/research/growing-strong-the-sustainable-farming-dividend-for-economic-and-food-security/
McCain Foods
McCain Foods is the UK’s largest manufacturer of frozen potato products, employing over 1,200 people across four processing facilities and a dedicated seed potato business. We are the largest purchaser of the British potato crop, buying around 20% of the total market from 250 farmers, some of whom have worked with us for three generations. McCain is committed to implementing regenerative agriculture practices across 100% of our global potato acreage by 2030.
McCain has long supported UK potato growers, helping them mitigate challenges they are facing and helping them transition to more sustainable practices. As part of its global pledge to implement regenerative practices across 100% of its potato acreage by 2030, McCain has introduced initiatives such as free soil health assessments, cover crops, pollinator seeds and various grants and support programmes.
[1] The 35% figure for those who made significant investment in their own farm and are optimistic about the future of farming in Britain is from a base size of 20. Given the small base size, the finding should be treated as indicative only.