McCain to invest £30m in British farmers facing 'myriad of unprecedented challenges'

Half (50 per cent) of UK farmers have reconsidered their future in the sector due to a rise in financial pressures in the last year, states a recent report.

According to a survey of arable farming decision makers commissioned by McCain, rising energy (35 per cent) and fertiliser costs (32 per cent), as well as environmental threats (36 per cent), are having the biggest pressure on farmers’ finances.

Financial pressures are not only affecting farm operations but are also the primary factor (55 per cent) straining farmers’ mental health.

In an effort to support its 250-strong network of farmers, McCain, the UK’s largest manufacturer of frozen potato products, has launched a new ongoing package of support for its growers, equating to an additional £30 million investment over the next three years.

As the largest purchaser of the UK potato crop, McCain is committed to supporting its growers to help ensure the long-term sustainability and resilience of British agriculture, which is vital to the country’s food security.

This package sits alongside existing measures, which includes working together with growers as they transition to regenerative agriculture practices and ensuring fair prices for their potatoes.

The initiatives undertaken by McCain includes:

• Adjusting the price per tonne paid for potatoes to reflect the increasing risk of yield variation
• Access to strategic capital support, providing farmers with a direct cash injection covering up to 33% of their total investment into assets such irrigation infrastructure and storage
• Setting out a 20% advanced payment of contract value to help with cashflow and support the increased negative working capital farmers are facing.

James Young, vice president, agriculture at McCain Foods GB, said, “British potato farmers are facing a myriad of unprecedented challenges from rising input costs to extreme weather events.

"At McCain, we pride ourselves on the strong partnerships we have built with our 250 growers and are committed to supporting them.

"We believe this package bolsters our ongoing collaboration with growers to help ensure the long-term sustainability of British agriculture.”

McCain is also working with growers to navigate the extreme weather patterns, such as heavy rainfall, flooding and unseasonably mild temperatures, that are placing additional strain on farmers’ finances.

Together with its growers, McCain is committed to implementing regenerative agricultural practices across 100 per cent of its global potato acreage by the end of 2030.

Over two thirds (68 per cent) of farmers claim the impacts of climate change have made arable farming less viable, with 57 per cent stating it has significantly impacted yields as well as increased costs due to additional irrigation and drainage (38 per cent).

As climate change impacts present day practices, 87 per cent of farmers agree there is a need to transition to more planet-friendly practices to ensure the viability of farming for years to come1.

Over half (53 per cent) have invested in sustainable practices on their farm in the last five years.

Sam Daw, a grower for McCain Food GB, said, “Our partnership with McCain is a core part of our business. It has had a clear and positive impact on direction, investment and positivity across our farming enterprises. The new package has rejuvenated confidence in the sector, reshaped our cashflow and allowed for investment and growth planning.

“The commitment to regenerative agriculture complements our other farming enterprises. Incorporating manures from our livestock, keeping green cover over fields for longer with cover crops and utilising reduced soil movement cultivation equipment across a wider range of crops.

“The farm’s relationship with McCain is so much more than a potato crop. It’s confidence, resilience and growth.”

To support its farmers on this transition, McCain is testing regenerative agriculture practices and trialing new technology at its Farms of the Future projects, located in McCain’s hometown of Florenceville, New Brunswick, and in South Africa.

This is supported in the UK by three demonstration farms across the country, where growers are invited to see the results firsthand.