Climate change is threatening the world’s fruit production with yields of grapes, bananas and soft fruit such as peaches at risk of plummeting by almost a third, a study has found.

Reduced rainfall and increased water salinity – caused by factors such as rising sea levels and storm surges – could reduce fruit yields by around 21 per cent and 28 per cent respectively if no action is taken to limit the harmful effects of climate change, researchers from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine warn.

Grapes, bananas and peanuts would be most affected by drought, while citrus fruits would be most affected by increased water salinity, the study found.

This is the first study, published in the journal Environmental Research Letters, to look at all the available data on how changes in the climate will affect fruit, seeds and nuts.

The study found that increased concentrations of carbon dioxide – which speeds up the rate of photosynthesis in plants – may lead to improved growth of berries and peanuts.