Arla Foods warns skills shortage threatens UK food security

Arla Foods has warned that a shortage of skilled workers is threatening the long-term resilience of British food production. A survey of 440 farmers conducted by the dairy co-operative revealed that 82.4 per cent of those with vacancies reported receiving very few or no applications from candidates with the necessary skills.

The challenge has evolved from a general labour shortage into a specific skills gap. Recruitment for specialized roles is particularly difficult; for instance, hiring engineers at Arla takes an average of 105 days, nearly twice as long as other positions. The industry is also facing an ageing workforce, with nearly 20 per cent of surveyed farmers aged over 65 and approximately 47.7 per cent over 55.

Arla officials noted that the pressure extends beyond farms to include processing and transport within the supply chain. To address these issues, the company emphasized the need for increased investment in education and training pathways to build a future-ready workforce.