Bread shortages expected as UK farmers launch milling wheat strike
1st April 2025
Farmers from around the UK are set to take part in a movement that aims at demonstrating the fragility of the nation’s supply chains.
From today, 1st April, a large number of farmers have agreed that they will not load milling wheat out of their stores.
This movement is set to showcase the fragility of UK supply chains and prove that dependency on imports is not in favour of customers.
Farmers who are milling wheat growers have been encouraged to join others and do not load from 1st April for at least the first two weeks of the month.
If you have an existing contract, you have until the end of the month to deliver it.
The organisers of the movement, who also stand behind the London farming rally, said that if you are not a milling wheat grower, you may wish to invest in your farm’s future with a trip to your local shops and buy a bit extra and “get those shelves empty faster”.
UK farmers have also been asked to spread the word about the initiative.
‘Milling wheat is staying on farms’
Farmer and YouTuber Olly Harrison said: “You may be wondering why bread and hot cross buns are being short at the moment. I’ll tell you why: because milling wheat is staying on farms.
“Farmers who are growing milling wheat have gone on strike. From 1st of April, they won’t be loading any trucks with milling wheat, and we’re probably going to run out of flour.
“If you don’t want your shelves empty, get on to your local MP and say, ‘You need to help these farmers out; you can’t carry on putting them out of business; it’s not good.’”
It might be April fools day but food shortages are no joke. Empty shelves will be appearing so better pop to your local supermarket and grab a loaf of bread and packet of hot cross buns for Easter before they run out.
— Andrew Ward 🇬🇧🚜 (@wheat_daddy) April 1, 2025
But don’t panic buy ……… pic.twitter.com/EQvlM50h4D
Clive Bailye added: “We are organising farming first strike – farmers will refuse to load bread making wheat from their stores from April 1st, no hot cross buns for Easter, no BBQ baps.
“It may be April fool’s day but Britian’s food security is no joke.”
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