The area of field vegetables grown in the open in the UK has fallen, but the fruit industry has seen an increase in production and value, according to new statistics on fruit and veg production released by DEFRA.
The stats, compiled in the Agriculture in the United Kingdom report for 2008, revealed that the area used to grow vegetables had fallen by 1.2 per cent but, despite poor light levels, low temperatures and poor harvesting conditions, their value rose by 2.3 per cent to £819 million.
The value of production of cabbages increased by 8.8 per cent to £70m, carrots rose by 3.5 per cent to £132m and cauliflowers rose by 12 per cent to £53m, while the vining pea crop recovered from the weather losses sustained in 2007.
Fruit production flourished, according to the stats, which revealed the area of orchard fruit increased by 2.7 per cent in 2008 and the value of production increased by 2.9 per cent to £145.
Despite an increased risk of fruit developing storage rot due to the wet conditions and harvesting delays due to short labour, the value of dessert apples increased by 23 per cent to £64m.
But plums had a very low crop following poor weather at and after flowering, and a high proportion of the crop was not picked in 2008.
The area of soft fruit increased by 1.8 per cent and the value of production increased by 20 per cent to £331m. The value of production of strawberries increased by 22 per cent to £196m and raspberries increased by 9.0 per cent to £95m.
In response to increased supermarket programmes, the area and production of strawberries and raspberries increased in 2008 but, while higher prices were achieved, costs to growers rose.
The volume of tomato production showed a slight decrease and there was a switch by some producers from standard round tomatoes to on-the-vine varieties. The value of production of tomatoes rose by 11 per cent to £96m as prices increased in 2008 on the wholesale markets.
The value of production of mushrooms fell by 1.2 per cent to £106m, due in part to a shift in demand to ‘value mushroom packs’, the report states.
The potato category enjoyed a 2.4 per cent increase in crop area in 2008, with higher yields than 2007, and the volume of production rose by 7.8 per cent to 6mt.
Prices for all potatoes have risen steadily in recent years, but 2008 saw only a 4.2 per cent rise overall against double-digit percentage rises in 2006 and 2007. The average price for early potatoes was £207 per tonne, up £54 per tonne (35 per cent) on 2007. This was due to relatively low yields, a late start in the UK and lower production in other exporting countries, including Jersey. The overall value of production was £755m, up 14 per cent on 2007.
The research, compiled as part of an annual agricultural review, looks at commercial production in open fields and glasshouses.
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