The UK iceberg season is going through a late flush, but it is not enough to offset a disastrous campaign overall for most growers. Prices have strengthened considerably over the last four weeks and 10s were consistently making 450p at wholesale markets across the UK this week.
“We have had some decent times with the warm weather in September,” said Jonathan Tremayne of major supplier Gs, who is also a director of the British Leafy Salads Association. “Demand is being created that, in some cases, is exceeding the amount that has been planted and leading to firmer markets. “The position is mirrored in Germany where the product is also selling faster than it is growing.
But demand is expected to settle down with the arrival of more traditional autumnal temperatures. “Over the next few weeks there should be sufficient supplies to take us through to a comfortable changeover with Spain in the third to fourth week of October,” said Tremayne.
Overall the season has not been a good one. “Growers have been fairly cautious on what they have planted,” said Tremayne. “It has been a really difficult year and a lot of product has been ploughed back in. Because the summer was so disappointing early on, maybe growers cut back on later plantings and production is certainly not up this year.”
Price has deflated 30 per cent on last season.
