'Strongest ever' El Niño could see five vital foods rise in price later this year, Government warns

There are severe warnings over vital foods which could be hit by the arrival of the 'strongest ever' El Niño weather event.

The weather phenomenon, which is expected to be the most intense in decades could bring periods of extreme cold and heat, as well as dangerous droughts and torrential rainfall in different parts of the world.

While the UK might avoid some of the more extreme aspects of the Super El Niño, other parts of the world could experience serious 'disruption and devastation'.

El Nino will have global consequences (Getty Images)

It’s been said that the climate phenomenon is being ‘supersized before our eyes’, causing dramatic changes in weather patterns around the world.

Confirmed to be happening back in June, El Niño occurs when ocean temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific become unusually warm, disrupting the wider climate.

A 'significant El Niño' is likely to occur towards the end of 2026, with some forecasts predicting the strongest event on record, the UK Government said.

Temperatures in the Pacific Ocean have risen enough for this to be considered an El Nino (NOAA Satellite)

For the tropics, southern Africa and north-east Australia can be at heightened risk of drought. While north-western Europe (including the UK) is likely to experience wetter and stormier conditions this coming autumn and early winter, according to the Met Office.

There have even been warnings about Brits ensuring they have a stock of key items in case things really do go badly, according to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Angela Eagle.

She told The Guardian: “We’re about to experience probably the largest El Niño that has ever been seen, and that will lead to drier summers, wetter winters, with more extreme storms in this country.”

There could be more extreme weather (Getty)

Government speaks out on El Niño impact

Now, the Government has spoken out on the impacts of the weather event over the next year.

The UK could face higher prices for certain foods and that changing weather patterns could also increase global demand for liquified natural gas putting pressure on the uncertain global market.

And Europe, as well as the UK could be vulnerable to rising energy prices due to competition for supplies worsened by the climate event.

"The direct effects of El Niño will be felt across the globe and may heighten instances of extreme weather in regions such as India, East Asia, South America, parts of Africa and the West Pacific," the alert read.

"UK weather systems tend to be less directly affected by El Niño but given the potentially unprecedented nature of this El Niño, these effects are uncertain."

Most fruit and veg is imported (Leon Neal/Getty Images)

Currently, the impacts of El Niño on UK weather are less certain and cannot be confidently predicted. Since this may be the largest El Niño to date it could result in unforeseen effects on UK weather.

There will be a chance to the UK facing stronger winds from the west and low-pressure patterns, as well as 'cold snaps', which means a sudden drop in temperatures.

There are also impacts to global food systems and UK food supply chains, the Government said.

Weather impacts associated with the upcoming El Niño are likely to worsen food security challenges, particularly in regions already under strain. Currently around 50 percent of the food in the UK is imported, including 80 percent of fruit and veg.

Rice production could be hit (Hollie Adams/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Supply of affected commodities to the UK will likely continue, but reduced global yields are expected to result in higher prices for shoppers.

Key risks include to rice from multiple key producers such as India, Thailand, Vietnam.

Wheat and grains will also be hit due to risk of droughts in Australia and the USA, leading to reduced exports.

And tropical commodities such as coffee and cocoa are particularly vulnerable.