Skills shortages threaten future of UK food and farming, finds report

A new report released today (28 January) warns that labour and skills shortages are putting UK food security at risk.

It calls for the industry, education and government to act collectively, as young people remain disconnected from farming careers.

The report was commissioned by dairy co-operative Arla Foods with the School of Sustainable Food and Farming at Harper Adams University.

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The research highlights significant challenges around awareness, attractiveness and entry routes into farming, alongside growing concern from farmers about access to skilled workers.

It finds that only 4% of young people are currently employed in food and farming, despite around two-fifths (38%) saying they would be open to a career in the sector.

Barriers include limited knowledge of farming, perceptions that other careers are more appealing, and a lack of clarity about routes into the industry.

Perceptions held by parents and careers advisers are also identified as obstacles.

Crucial role

Arla Foods managing director Bas Padberg said: “The agriculture sector plays a crucial role in providing naturally produced food that is accessible… At the heart of all of this is people.”

He added: “If we don’t succeed in bringing in more people and addressing current shortages, there are obvious threats to the UK’s food security.”

The report describes an “awareness problem, an attractiveness challenge and an access barrier” facing agriculture and horticulture.

While young people associate farming with purpose and connection to nature, they also link it to hard labour, long hours and low pay.

Against a backdrop of geopolitical pressures, environmental change and societal transformation, the report stresses that a skilled workforce is central to a productive and resilient food system.

It calls for a co-ordinated response across the industry, education and government, recommending a national campaign to showcase agricultural careers, stronger early education and clearer pathways into the sector.

Clearer pathways 

School of Sustainable Food & Farming’s business development manager, Alex Hardie, said: “While the industry grapples with ongoing recruitment and retention challenges, we were encouraged to learn nearly half of young people we asked (42%) were telling us something important – they’re not turning their backs on farming, they simply want clearer pathways in to farming.”

The report also draws on a summer 2025 survey of Arla’s 1,900 UK farmer owners, which found that about five in six farmers attempting to recruit had very few or no qualified applicants – up from 79% in 2021 to about 84%.

Arla farmer David Christensen said the findings showed attracting young talent “demands urgent collective action”.

In 2025, Arla farmers delivered more than 120 school visits, with new educational materials planned to further support engagement with young people.