Growers in the south-western corner of the UK have more advantages than most when it comes to the production of fruit and vegetables, with reliable water resources and a temperate climate extending the UK season for many lines.
But this head start has not alleviated the pressure faced this season, and Cornish growers, like vegetable producers across the UK, are struggling to make the market work for them, or their businesses sustainable.
The Cornish winter brassica season starts in early November and stretches until early April, traditionally coming on stream just as supply from the likes of Lincolnshire and Lancashire is tailing off. Cauliflower, broccoli, pointed cabbage, sprouts, spinach and spring greens are just some of the vegetables grown across Cornwall, in various windows throughout the season.
The advantages of growing vegetables in the region come with the integrity of the long-established production industry in the county, and 12-month supply of key lines, says Nigel Clare, managing director at Marshalls, which has been growing and marketing Cornish produce for 12 years. The supplier grows 1,500 acres in the region.
The perception of Cornish produce across the rest of the UK is generally very good, Clare says. However, climatic conditions can have a major impact on quality year on year.
This season, the autumn and winter conditions have taken their toll on Cornish vegetable growers, with crops varying in yield and quality, and prices taking a hit. “The 2007-08 season is now well under way, and prices to date have been very disappointing; planting crops was difficult and yields are very variable at present, with quality issues due to poor leaf through such a mild and wet growing period,” says Clare. “Prices are generally lower than the cost of production, and fuel, and general agronomic production costs are higher than last season. Hence prices being returned to production units unfortunately do not reflect increases in cost of production.”
Cornish growers, having suffered a poor season and low returns last season, have had to tighten yet another notch on their belts.
Timothy Oliver, who manages fourth-generation family business WJ Oliver & Son Ltd, which has linked up with 19 local growers to farm on 1,800-2,000 acres, says the situation is a cause for concern. “Hundreds of pounds per acre have already been lost,” he says. “The mild weather means that there is an awful lot of produce available, but sales have slowed right down.
“Product is still available from Lincolnshire and Lancashire, and this has depressed prices further.
“Normally, in sensible weather conditions, Cornwall would be a key source and there would not be brassicas coming from Lincolnshire or Lancashire at the moment,” he explains. “This year however, because of the wet summer, there were a lot of brassica crops planted late and because of the mild temperatures, they have survived. Now there is just too much product on the market.”
Oliver estimates that, overall, there is 20 per cent more product on the market than is necessary to meet demand.
But this is just one of the problems affecting the vegetable industry, and the Cornish sector has had to draw on all its resources to pull through.
The distance from Cornwall to the rest of the UK market has always posed challenges for growers and suppliers based in the county, but this issue has been exacerbated by low returns and mounting fuel prices, and has cost implications for the sector. “Depressed prices and increased fuel bills make it difficult for us,” says Oliver. “We are three hours on the road to Bristol, which is where the closest supermarket distribution hubs are, and other depots are even further away. If product is fetching the right price, this is not catastrophic but, as it is, the returns are no good for anybody.”
Prospects for the rest of the season are unlikely to improve unless temperatures plummet, holding back the crop and equalising the demand: supply equation - but there are no guarantees about when or if this could happen.
“The only thing that is going to change the price situation is going to be colder weather,” says Oliver. “When the weather is mild and wet, the vegetables keep growing - but if it becomes colder and drier, growth will slow down.”
“To date, we have not had much of a problem with pests and diseases,” he adds. “But we could be looking at leaf disease if it continues to rain.”
But January is set to be a poor month this season and, even if conditions improve, Cornish growers are not confident that the season will shape up. If the ongoing struggles facing the vegetable sector continue, future production will be put in jeopardy.
“Cornish growers will reduce acreage of production for 2008-09 unless there is some considerable changes in financial returns,” Clare warns.
“If the next eight weeks do not see cauliflower prices, for example, increasing by about 20 to 25 per cent, I feel a lot of growers will reduce acreage for next season or stop growing this crop,” he says. “This is a sad reflection on our Cornish 2007-08 season at present, but unless we experience a colder climate for the next eight weeks, thus reducing availability and increasing demand, I am fearful that this will be a disappointing season for the majority of Cornish cauliflower growers.”
However, this has not deterred a number of businesses from investing in the sector, and hoping their dedication will pay off.
Southern England Farms (SEF) has grown rapidly since it was formed in 1996, with turnover for the 2007-08 season projected at
£20 million. The producer and marketer grows on some 7,000 hectares across Cornwall and supplies brassicas, including cauliflower, broccoli and pointed cabbage, as well as courgettes, to UK supermarkets.
The number of plus-points for the Cornish vegetable sector far outnumber the challenges it faces, according to Tim Wigram, SEF commercial director. Top-notch production conditions coupled with a high-profile reputation have positioned Cornish vegetables in an enviable position, he says.
“The cooler summers and milder winters make for good production conditions in Cornwall, as does the level of rainfall we get here, which means we do not have to irrigate,” Wigram says. “It is around 12ºC outside right now, and this makes for ideal growing conditions for winter brassicas - Cornish growers can achieve massive amounts of season extension,” he adds. “Cauliflower can be grown all year round and, for other lines, we can get in a few weeks earlier than the rest of the UK.
“Cornwall has a mixed grower base, with production spread out over a wider area and smaller growers, compared to say Lincolnshire, and this makes it difficult for Cornish growers to be as efficient,” Wigram admits. “But it does mean that growers are very proactive in supporting environmental stewardship, and protecting natural flora and fauna in order to safeguard their environment for future generations.”
The connotations that Cornish products have is a major selling point, Wigram adds, with consumers associating the county with its temperate climate and good growing conditions, as well as their own childhood holidays.
The Leedstown-based business has flourished in the last decade, and a £3m packhouse was opened last summer to improve its product offer. “Product is harvested on 28 rigs for minimum handling, and is cooled and distributed as efficiently as possible,” says Wigram. “It can take as little as 24 hours for vegetables to get from the field to the supermarket shelf.”
SEF was named Grower of the Year in March 2006, and was crowned World Grower of the Year a few months later, in November. “The judging panels covered most parts of the business, from production issues such as crop rotation, environmental protection, and energy, to customer needs and drive in terms of development, as well as the rapid growth of the business,” says Wigram.
Moves towards local sourcing have given the Cornish vegetable sector a boost, particularly in rural areas, where the consumption of local produce is valued by residents. SEF is aiming to capitalise on this, with a series of in-store appearances at major retailers across the county. The supplier held eight days of in-store promotions in the run-up to Christmas, with Cornish produce on display and cooking demonstrations aimed at customers. “We have put a lot of time and effort into increasing consumption, not just by delivering high-quality product, but by reminding consumers about the health benefits of eating veg and what the origin means, and showing them how to prepare it,” says Wigram. “We have had to go back to basics.”
But how the season will shape up remains to be seen. There is a mixed outlook going forward, Wigram admits, and his concerns are shared across the Cornish sector. “This has been the second season of variable product and this has made it very difficult but, on the other hand, there have been no significant frosts in Cornwall this season and we have seen some very good product,” he says. “I predict that the Cornish climate will continue to be an advantage for growers in the county, especially if the weather in some parts of the country becomes more erratic - but producers will have to make sure they only grow with a guaranteed market. These are really important points when you look at how the industry will develop going forward.
“Innovation is as much about highlighting what the Cornish crop offers, as it is about developing products,” he adds.
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