The 58th annual South of England Show began its three-day run on Friday, June 5, 2026, at the South of England Showground in Ardingly, West Sussex.
The event brings together families and agricultural leaders to celebrate the region's 813 million pound farming industry amid pressing environmental challenges.
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Organized by the South of England Agricultural Society, the countryside event features livestock competitions, equestrian displays, and rural craft demonstrations.
It serves as a critical platform for farmers from Sussex and Surrey to discuss major sector difficulties like severe water shortages and rising production costs.
According to figures from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA), the agricultural sector provides more than 45,500 jobs across London and the South East.
However, the National Farmers' Union (NFU) noted that the region recently experienced one of its driest springs on record, threatening food production and drawing urgent attention to agricultural water access.
Community and Industry Voices
"The South of England Show is a wonderful opportunity for visitors to meet, learn from and support the farmers, landowners and craftspeople that make up our rural communities," said Corrie Ince, show director for the South of England Agricultural Society.
Ince noted the deep connection between the seasonal event and the local community, emphasizing its traditional place in the regional calendar.
"Celebrating all aspects of the countryside from farming to floristry, it isn't summer without a visit to the South of England Show," Ince added.
Industry leadership also used the gathering to highlight public appreciation for agricultural workers and the collaborative spirit of the event.
"The South of England Show is a fantastic celebration of our region's farmers and growers and the food we produce," said Surrey farmer Hugh Broom, NFU Regional Livestock Board Chair for the East of England.
Broom invited attendees to engage directly with agricultural representatives to foster better understanding of local food supply chains.
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"I encourage anyone to come over and see us for a chat about the work we are doing and to learn more about British food and farming," Broom said.
He thanked the public for their support, noting that surveys show farmers are rated as the second most valued profession in the country after nurses.
Local representatives emphasized that the current economic climate makes solidarity and strategic networking within the farming community essential.
"Things have been very tough out there and shows like this are a great opportunity to bring people together to discuss some of these issues," said NFU West Sussex Vice Chair Phil Veltom, an arable farmer.
Veltom added that the exhibition serves as a vital tool for recruiting the next generation into an evolving, tech-driven industry.
"We need more young people to come into farming and to take the industry forward," he said, highlighting opportunities in science and new technologies.
Government officials responded to economic pressures magnified by international conflicts, which have driven up fuel and fertilizer prices, by pointing to recent policy interventions.
A DEFRA spokesperson said the government is working with farmers to manage the impacts of the Middle East conflict on the sector and keep costs down across the supply chain.
"We've cut red diesel to its lowest rate in over 20 years, and we are suspending food tariffs on a wide range of products to help ease pressure on food prices," the spokesperson added.
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The event remains open daily from 9am to 6:30pm through Sunday, June 7, 2026, with tickets priced at 28 pounds for adults and free admission for children under 16.
