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UK growers face disaster
United Kingdom
Tuesday 10 July 2007
Continuing rainfall in the UK is proving disastrous for fresh produce crops, both on trees and in the ground, as well as threatening plantings for supplies in the weeks and months to come.
"Over the last three weeks there can scarcely be a single grower who has planted in good conditions," said David Piccaver, chairman of the British Leafy Salads Association. "Some might have been lucky, but the rain has affected Lincolnshire, Yorkshire, Kent, Bedfordshire, Norfolk and Worcestershire."
Growers of a full range of lettuce and leafy salads are taking the opportunities to plant when they can, he said. "They can't wait until conditions are perfect. So we are talking about the impact being felt through August. A lot of people will want to plant on the land they have just harvested but won't be able to because it is waterlogged. This is affecting the whole leafy salad range across the board."
The frozen pea sector is suffering its third poor year in four. "A quick survey of our members reveals that the most optimistic are forecasting a 10-15 per cent shortfall, while the worst hit areas are forecasting 60-70 per cent crop loss," said Martin Riggall, chief executive of the Processed Vegetable Growers Association (PVGA).
The biggest concern is that growers will turn their backs on the crop because the price does not cover the cost of growing and harvesting in anything less than a bumper year. "Following a short crop last year, supermarkets increased retail prices by around 30 per cent, but none of this was passed along the supply chain to help mitigate the losses of the freezing companies and growers," added Riggall. "We hope retailers will take a longer-term view this time."
"Over the last three weeks there can scarcely be a single grower who has planted in good conditions," said David Piccaver, chairman of the British Leafy Salads Association. "Some might have been lucky, but the rain has affected Lincolnshire, Yorkshire, Kent, Bedfordshire, Norfolk and Worcestershire."
Growers of a full range of lettuce and leafy salads are taking the opportunities to plant when they can, he said. "They can't wait until conditions are perfect. So we are talking about the impact being felt through August. A lot of people will want to plant on the land they have just harvested but won't be able to because it is waterlogged. This is affecting the whole leafy salad range across the board."
The frozen pea sector is suffering its third poor year in four. "A quick survey of our members reveals that the most optimistic are forecasting a 10-15 per cent shortfall, while the worst hit areas are forecasting 60-70 per cent crop loss," said Martin Riggall, chief executive of the Processed Vegetable Growers Association (PVGA).
The biggest concern is that growers will turn their backs on the crop because the price does not cover the cost of growing and harvesting in anything less than a bumper year. "Following a short crop last year, supermarkets increased retail prices by around 30 per cent, but none of this was passed along the supply chain to help mitigate the losses of the freezing companies and growers," added Riggall. "We hope retailers will take a longer-term view this time."
