The Environment Agency (EA) warned last week that the UK was only a fortnight away from a water crisis if there is not significant rainfall soon. But the effects of the continued dry spell on horticulture are minimal, so far. "The dry summer means that water stocks are very low, but we are at the end of the growing season in the UK," said Graham Ward chairman of the Horticulture Board at the National Farmers' Union. "Water is not being used much for irrigation except for some glasshouse crops and by potato growers in recent weeks as they try to lift their crops without bruising. The problems will come if it doesn't rain enough in the next three to four months to fill reserves. In our business, water shortage usually hits the year after a drought."
But the dry conditions are not limited to the UK and supplies of winter salads and vegetables could be hit if water shortages take their toll on production in Spain.
Ward also warned that the effects of a dry winter in the UK could be felt from May onwards next year on vegetable, salad and soft fruit lines in the first place and possible tree fruit if the lack of rainfall continues.
Many parts of England have had the lowest rainfall since records began in 1873 and the EA warned last week that two inches were needed by early November to avert emergency measures.
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