Food Shortage: Farmers 'can't bear' extra costs Depleted by drought, last summer's heat waves are still biting, this time into food supplies. Having much less water in the bank at this time of year means that we have had to reduce our irrigated cropping area by 25 per cent for this next growing season. Andrews scaled back his vegetable crops, with other farmers doing the same amid warnings of more shortages to come. The cost of production has increased almost exponentially, which is a massive challenge. Many businesses just can't bear that extra cost and they just can't take that risk. So we're really calling on the retailers to pay at least what it costs to produce, plus some form of margin to make it more sustainable and to encourage us to continue to produce food in the UK. Severe weather overseas is already disrupting supplies. Supermarkets are ration...