Our thinking

When the chips are down

21 February, 2025

Half of UK farmers have considered whether to continue farming, reflecting pressures such as rising energy and fertiliser costs, and environmental threats.  

These were the takeaways from McCain’s survey of arable farming decision makers, which paints a troubled picture with farmers struggling with financial and mental health challenges.  As the largest purchaser of the UK potato crop, McCain (a Good Business friend and client) is committed to regenerative financing partnerships, funding solutions in regenerative practices, equipment and technology to alleviate pressures and support the future of sustainable farming. This financing is part of McCain’s global Regenerative Agriculture Framework. 

In response to the survey results, McCain has launched an ongoing package to support UK farmers, with a £30 million investment over the next three years to provide direct cash injections for irrigation and storage infrastructure, set up advance payments to help cash flow and adjust the price per tonne paid for potatoes to reflect the risk of yield variation.  

This investment reflects some much-needed systemic thinking. While McCain can’t single-handedly solve all the problems facing farmers, (for instance, concerns over the impact of agricultural property relief), investment in a resilient agricultural system improves food security and addresses food inflation.  With over two-thirds of farmers reporting that climate change has made arable farming less viable, initiatives that strengthen and safeguard agriculture as it attempts to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change are welcome.

By Bertie Bateman