More than seven in 10 farmers are “pessimistic” about the future of British farming, according to McCain Food’s inaugural Farmdex report.
The report, carried out by Republic which surveyed 200 farmers, revealed 51% have considered leaving the industry due to financial strain, and only 4% believed current government support was adequate.
It also found 95% expected family-run farms to decline over the next decade, unless changes are made – the same number feared they could disappear altogether without stronger backing.
More than 80% of farmers said they worked alongside relatives, and 60% said they relied on family support to keep their businesses running.
“Farming is the foundation of Britain’s food system, and its importance to our economy and national food security cannot be overstated,” said James Young, VP of agriculture at McCain GB&I. “Farmers across the UK are facing a number of complex challenges, and yet they continue to showcase unwavering resilience.”
The report also raised concerns about mental health, with 61% of farmers saying their work harms their own, and more than a third reported working over 70 hours per week during peak seasons.
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Despite the worrying statistics, McCain found farmers have attempted to increase the resilience of their businesses, with more than two-thirds viewing investment in technology as “essential for the sector’s future”.
Around 70% have already adopted sustainable practices, such as crop rotations, reduced tillage, and precision farming.
Many have also diversified into agritourism and renewable energy – although high upfront costs and regulatory barriers remain significant obstacles.
In light of the findings, McCain has called for cross-sector collaboration and has urged the government and industry leaders to act.
It asked them to: support regenerative agriculture to boost food security and farmer profitability; prioritise long-term food security; provide clarity on government policy direction and funding; ensure the long-term viability of family farms; and guarantee fair trade deals that support domestic agriculture.
“As a company founded by farmers, we’re proud to stand alongside our 250 growers across the UK, and we are committed to playing our part to help ensure the long-term sustainability of British agriculture,” said Young. “We support our growers in a number of ways, which includes investing an additional £100m into our grower base since 2020. However, we can’t do it alone.
“It is crucial that industry bodies, the government and businesses work together to heed the warning signs in the Farmdex and take action to support farmers.”
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