At the start of the Second World War in 1939, the United Kingdom was importing 20,000,000 long tons of food per year, including about 70% of its cheese and sugar, nearly 80% of fruits and about 70% of cereals and fats.
Pada permulaan Perang Dunia II pada tahun 1939, Britania Raya mengimpor 20.000.000 ton makanan setiap tahunnya, termasuk sekitar 70% keju dan gula, hampir 80 persen buah-buahan dan sekitar 70 persen serealia dan lemak.