Five of Vitacress’ UK farms are in line to be taken out of production.
The watercress farms, in Hampshire and Dorset, are being “rested” by the company due to Vitacress producing more of the crop than it can sell.
A consultation is currently under way, and four roles within the business’ watercress team could be axed at the end of this.
Vitacress CEO, Toby Brinsmead, said: “There has been an improved perfomance on all of our farms over the last few years, so we are looking to reduce capacity. We would retain all the farms, but only produce at the ones we need, while resting and maintaining the others in case they’re needed in future.
“Economically, it makes sense to rest these farms, and while it’s positive that we are getting more efficient on the production side, it’s regrettable that we could have four roles going, although those involved could end up involved in the company elsewhere.”
Vitacress will continue to farm its UK watercress on two of its main farms, which account for 41 of the company’s 58 acres of watercress land in the UK.
The farms that could be taken out of use after the summer season are Pinglestone, Fobdown, Warnford all of which are in Hampshire, and Ilsington and Hollybush, in Dorset.
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