Hot dry conditions over the last two months are playing havoc with the yields of many vegetable crops across the UK, sector leaders have revealed.
Brassicas are among the worst crops affected by the recent heatwave, which could see supply on some lines disrupted over the coming weeks.
Alastair Ewan, chairman of the Brassica Growers Association, said: “At the moment supply is balanced with demand because we are seeing relatively low demand for vegetables because of the hot weather. There is an overall shortage, but no one is really seeing it yet as demand is low.”
“But as people begin to swing back, there could be a shortage. The overall yield will be well down.
“Crops have suffered extremely badly in the fields - even crops that have been heavily irrigated.
“We are going to see overall produce volumes down. It could be up to a 25-30 per-cent shortfall.”
During this crucial period for sprouts, Ewan said any setbacks could have an impact on availability later on, although he dismissed media reports that the Christmas sprout-supply would be affected as ‘scaremongering’.
However, he said “considerable rainfall” was needed to turn the situation around.
“Not just the odd shower - that is not enough,” he said. “Rain is 50 per cent below usual levels in Scotland and most of the rest of England is running way down on rainfall.”
The leafy salad sector is also suffering from limp product and short growing cycles on baby leaves and Cos - lasting only half their scheduled term due to the warm temperatures. David Piccaver, of the British Leafy Salads Association, said: “If the weather cools off - like it seems to be doing - and it goes back to growing normally, we’re going to get a [supply] gap. That’s our biggest concern.”
