“We have probably had one of the best seasons we have ever had in terms of quality and quantity,” said Mervyn Casey, chairman of the Leek Growers’ Association. “Mild winters can bring problems with over-maturity, but we have not had difficulties this year. We had only one frost of -6°C in Lincolnshire which did not cause any damage and prices have also held up well.”
“Going forward, if we get a warm early spring we may lose some crops to bolting, but there is no sign of it yet and I think it would have been an issue by now if it was going to happen,” said Casey.
Growers are now starting to drill for the new season set to start in July. The sector has benefited from the first ever PR campaign for the product at a cost of some £23,000.
The association now forecasts that availability will continue through to May in line with a normal season and the good growing conditions mean that there will be plenty of product to fulfil orders.
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