NFU president Peter Kendall has warned that the UK will become a net importer of wheat for 2013/14, as the result of challenging conditions and Britain's coldest March since 1962.

Mr Kendal said that wintry conditions, which lasted up until the weekend throughout much of the UK, have had an impact on this year's crop, are causing farmers serious concern after a dull, wet and cool growing season in 2012 saw average yields drop from 7.8 tonnes/ hectare to 6.7 t/ha, a drop of 14 percent on the five year average.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, The NFU president said, "Crops look pretty thin. We would normally say you should [be able to] hide a hare in a crop of wheat in March, but you'd struggle to cover a mouse in some of mine at this time."

The union leader said that, if only three quarters of the planned wheat area is planted, there could be further reductions in the UK's crop size.

Mr Kendall, who farms in Bedfordshire, warned that "If we got three quarters of the area planted, and the same yield as last year, we could be looking at a crop of only 11 million tonnes" of wheat, which compares unfavourably with a domestic demand of 14.5 million tonnes.

Defra posited in November last year that the UK would become a net importer of wheat for the 2012/13 season, for the first time in over a decade. Defra officials estimated that imports would be up 66 percent compared to the previous year. UK wheat quality in 2012 was at its lowest since 1977 and yields too hit their lowest point since the early 1990s.

Prolonged cold weather has also hampered crop development in France and Germany, the EU's two largest wheat growers. In mainland Europe, wheat growth remains 2-4 weeks behind schedule.

Meanwhile in the UK, potato growers have been hit extremely hard by the poor conditions. Delayed planting in January means some varieties of potato are likely to be around a month late and yields are estimated to be down. According to the Potato Council, stocks are down 20 percent on last year. Peas, carrots and a number of other vegetables have also reportedly been affected by low light and adverse weather.