More wet weather in store for UK growers
The wet Summer and Autumn made growing conditions difficult and harvesting a challenge. Yields are down on most vegetables and potatoes, and increased damage to the skin finish of some crops has impacted on quality. Early brassica crops suffered from a drop in yield and size because the crop just didn't mature properly in the cold, damp conditions.
In the north-west there were only 13 days in the Summer period when it did not rain, there have not been many dry days since and the forecast is for more rain. Harvests of vegetables and potatoes are running late and there is doubt as to whether crops can be harvested before the Winter sets in. The south of England saw heavy snow fall at the weekend.
Lee said growers have been working exceptionally hard to try and meet their customers’ requirements but many will fall short of their contracts or production programmes because of a situation that was out of their control. He said it was vitally important that retailers, packers and processors applied common sense when dealing with growers in this situation.