Britain’s food security could be under serious threat unless urgent measures are taken to address crippling worker shortages in agriculture and farming, the UK’s largest dairy company has warned.
Arla, which works and supports more than 1,900 British farmers, has sounded the alarm following the release of its latest annual on-farm workforce survey – now in its fifth year. The findings paint a stark picture: recruiting and retaining skilled staff remains just as difficult as it was in 2020, with the challenge becoming even more acute in the past three years.
The survey reveals that around five in every six farmers attempting to fill vacancies have received either very few qualified applicants – or none at all. That figure has now risen to 84% in 2024, compared to 79% in 2021.
The consequences are already being felt. Six per cent of farmers surveyed have reduced production, while 13% say they may exit the sector entirely within the next 12 months if conditions do not improve.
An ageing workforce and fading new talent
The research also highlights an ageing UK farming workforce. More than 47% of farmers are aged 55 or older, while just 3% are first-generation farmers. The data shows a sector heavily reliant on family succession, with over two-thirds of farms having stayed in the same families for at least four generations.
This generational pattern, while a testament to tradition, leaves little space for fresh entrants into the profession – a problem compounded by misconceptions about farming and the limited visibility of agricultural careers in the education system.
Bas Padberg, managing director of Arla Foods UK, said the shortage of skilled workers is already affecting the nation’s farming output and, ultimately, the price and availability of dairy products.
“What we’re seeing is the real impact of these UK workforce shortages on our farming industry, whether that’s in higher costs or lower milk production. The effect of this is ultimately going to be seen in the price and availability of products on supermarket shelves, affecting the millions of people who rely on dairy as a source of nutrition in their diet,” he explained.
While Mr Padberg welcomed the government’s recognition of the issue and its commitment to talent development in the forthcoming food strategy, he stressed the need for urgent and practical measures.
“We need to act quickly, and we need practical steps that the industry, the education sector and government can take together to support more opportunities for inclusion and growth,” he added.
Calls for change in training and apprenticeships
It is urging reform of apprenticeship and training programmes across the food supply chain. Arla is already tackling the challenge by offering four apprenticeship schemes, industrial placements, and a newly developed programme at its Taw Valley site to support innovation and technology in mozzarella production.
Heather Davies, a supplier to the co-op, underlined the difficulty of attracting skilled candidates.
“Recruiting for farming roles remains a significant challenge, with over 90% of applicants coming to us on our farm without any previous experience in agriculture. There is a clear disconnect between the education system and pathways into agriculture, and perhaps an even wider gap between people and the origins of their food.
“Despite the incredible variety and fulfilment that a career in farming offers, we struggle to attract people to the industry. This is an industry that will always need skilled workers, and we must do more to communicate the value and potential of a career in agriculture,” she said.
The warning comes at a time when the pressures on Britain’s food supply chain are mounting – from rising input costs, a skilled older workforce reduction, to the volatility of global markets. Without swift and decisive action, the risks to both farming livelihoods and the nation’s ability to produce its own food could intensify.
