Iceberg growers are under pressure, with the bad weather causing harvesting difficulties and quality issues.
Lawrence Frohn, sales director with Kent-based grower JJ Barker, said the wet conditions are making it difficult for harvesting machinery to get out into the fields for some growers.
“We’ve not been too badly affected on iceberg, but other growers are having bigger problems. The most serious issue is on quality as the lettuce is absorbing the water and as a result is prone to bruising.”
He said general growing conditions are also poor with low temperatures and light levels inhibiting the growth of the crops.
Meanwhile, he said spring onions and radishes have also been severely affected by the wet weather.
“With onions, we can’t get the harvesting machines into the field and we’re having to harvest by hand. Product is covered in mud and clogging up equipment,” said Frohn
Radishes are also creating another problem, with waterlogged produce splitting and becoming unusable. As a result, Frohn said JJ Barker is now having to supplement UK product with higher cost imports to meet customer commitments.
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