The call comes in response to findings from the company’s inaugural UK Farmdex report, which paints a sobering picture of life on British farms.
According to the report, 51% of farmers have considered leaving the industry in the past year due to financial pressure.
Just 4% believe current government support is adequate, while 95% expect family-run farms to decline over the next decade if current trends continue.
“Farming is the foundation of Britain’s food system,” said James Young, VP of Agriculture at McCain GB&I, “Its importance to our economy and national food security cannot be overstated. Farmers across the UK are facing a number of complex challenges, and yet they continue to showcase unwavering resilience.”
A sector under strain – and full of potential
The Farmdex report highlights the emotional and economic toll of farming, with 74% of farmers pessimistic about the future of British agriculture; 61% reporting negative impacts on mental health; and 36% working over 70 hours per week during peak seasons.
Despite these challenges, farmers are showing remarkable resilience and adaptability. Some 71% have adopted sustainable practices such as crop rotation, reduced tillage, and precision farming, and 68% see investment in technology as essential to the sector’s future.
Many are diversifying into agritourism and renewable energy, though high upfront costs and regulatory hurdles remain major barriers.
McCain’s five-point call to action
In light of the findings, McCain is urging cross-sector collaboration and calling on policymakers, industry leaders, and businesses to:
- Support regenerative agriculture to boost food security and farmer profitability.
- Prioritise long-term food security over short-term fixes.
- Provide clarity on policy direction and funding to reduce uncertainty.
- Ensure the viability of family farms, which are the backbone of UK agriculture.
- Guarantee fair trade deals that protect domestic producers.
‘We can’t do it alone’
McCain Foods is the UK’s largest manufacturer of frozen potato products and the largest purchaser of the British potato crop, buying around 20% of the total market from 250 farmers. McCain is committed to implementing regenerative agriculture practices across 100% of its global potato acreage by 2030.
We support our growers in a number of ways, which includes investing an additional £100m into our grower base since 2020. Young added. “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.”
For further insights on the Farmdex, find the full report here: https://www.mccain.co.uk/media/s0wjuwhn/mccain_farmdexreport.pdf