Cucumber crisis arrives in Europe
All countries
Wednesday 28 September 2022
VU
According to Jimmy Russo of Valley Grown Salads, 75 to 80% of salad growers will not be able to plant because of the high cost of greenhouse energy bills. (photo:bioalgarrobo.com)
Europeans anticipate "the cucumber crisis". The greenhouses of the Netherlands, Germany and the United Kingdom are at the limit due to the gas bill. They have been considered as examples of productivity and innovation due to the applied use of technology in agriculture, because they use almost no land to grow their tomatoes, lettuce, peppers, aubergines or cucumbers. Fertilizers and liquid manures provide the necessary nutrients for the plants.
In recent years, these farms were used to cover part of the demand in northern Europe. These are greenhouses that use artificial lighting and heating. However, since the Russian invasion of Ukraine and its effects on the energy distribution market, the sector anticipates a winter with a technical stoppage of production, especially in environments with lower temperatures.
South East England cucumber grower Tony Montalbano says planting of the crop is very likely to be suspended this winter. According to Jimmy Russo of Valley Grown Salads, 75 to 80% of salad growers will not be able to plant because of the high cost of greenhouse energy bills. Many greenhouses are closing in the Netherlands, growers conclude.
source: elconfidencial.com