The market could find itself short of pumpkins in the next two years if retailers don’t increase prices paid to growers.
The UK’s largest specialist grower, David Bowman, issued the stark warning this week after a year-on-year price slump for the Halloween favourite.
“Our supermarket friends wanted everything there was, which is good planning on their part,” said Bowman. “But we have seen a change over the last few years and it is now all very last minute.” He said this leaves growers with a huge challenge in terms of securing labour, equipment and premises.
“Halloween is only one day so there is not much we can do about lengthening the season,” said Bowman. “But, with customers wanting such large volumes more last minute than ever, it affects profitability. The way corn prices are, people just won’t bother growing pumpkins any more.”
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