Sumer responds to the Farm Profitability Review

In December 2025, the government published Baroness Minette Batters’ independent Farm Profitability Review for the UK Government’s Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), setting out 57 recommendations to strengthen the resilience and viability of farm businesses.

In response, we’ve spoken to our key agriculture partners from across the UK to understand more about what this review means for farmers and rural businesses.

“As a Scottish agricultural professional, I welcome the Farming Profitability Review and its recognition that long-term viability must be central to future policy.

While our focus remains on supporting farmers north of the border, the risks and challenges are consistent across the UK. I completely agree that many farmers rely heavily on agricultural support, and for them to become more self-sufficient, policy needs to be clearer.

There remains a disconnect between farmers and consumers, and supply chains must work to ensure a fairer deal for everyone.”

“Minette Batters’ review warns that rising costs, volatile markets and policy drift threaten farm viability.  And for East Anglian cereal farmers, that’s a call to build resilience into their businesses to withstand external threats and the challenge of global commodity markets.

But it’s very difficult to grow wheat and make a profit at £160/t, yet the outlook for March 2027 is only £178/t.

Driving efficiency into production is key but that’s far more challenging for smaller scale farms.  Better collaboration between farmers can unlock cost efficiency and add value in the supply chain, but that’s not easy as a price taker in a global market for your core product.

What I do hope is that the report proves to be a catalyst for engagement between the farming industry, government, stakeholders and the general public. And in doing so it improves the sustainability of farming – something that can only be a good thing for the UK.”

“This is a very detailed report that draws many useful conclusions, although it will ultimately be judged by the actions that follow.

Two quotes particularly resonated with me and are themes that come up regularly in my discussions with clients in both the Livestock and Arable sectors:

We have already seen many of our clients shift their business models to improve profitability and reduce the reliance on subsidy in recent years.

However, when you are dealing with such long-term business, change takes time for it to be sustainable.

This coupled with the multi-generational nature of most farming businesses highlights the importance of consistent policy to allow the rural sector to thrive.”