One of the UK’s leading pumpkin growers has about 20 per cent less crop than usual this season because of inclement weather.
David Bowman, who farms pumpkins exclusively in Lincolnshire, said: “The crop is about 20 per cent down this year and we are short in terms of volume, having smaller pumpkins and in terms of actual number of pumpkins.”
He added that growing conditions had been some of the worst he has ever seen. “We planted in May at the same time as usual but it went downhill from then and was too cold and wet. The weather has been atrocious. We are just telling our customers how it is - those who ordered last year should be OK, but those who are just coming in from nowhere now with orders will have a struggle.”
Bowman warns that his experience is not unusual. He said: “We may well see a shortage across the board as there are some smaller growers who have lost everything.”
