British Growers fighting to keep peas on the plate
British shoppers enjoy 150 million kilos of frozen peas every year worth over £200m at retail prices. Over 90% of these are grown in the UK.
James Hallett, Chief Executive of the British Growers’ Association comments, "Because the pea harvest is so short, Britain’s experienced growers are able to predict the final crop size with a high degree of accuracy. Many British growers are forecasting at least a 40% drop in their harvest after a really tough summer, a potential reduction in retail sales of up to £80m. We are already seeing low grade, poor quality Spanish peas coming into the UK as a result."
British growers from East Anglia to Scotland have been battling against the weather since January and the unseasonably high rainfall, dull skies and cool temperatures in late spring and early summer have done a lot of damage.
As we near the mid-point of the short 10 week pea harvest it is clear that the decrease in crop yield may affect prices shoppers pay for their frozen peas.
Growers are working closely with their retail customers and processors to ensure that great British peas stay on shoppers’ dinner plates. UK growers have invested significantly to maximise crop yields in these very difficult conditions and now need to secure fair return for their crop after such a tough season.
At this late stage crop shortfalls will not be made up in the remainder of the British season or with imported peas, since growers across Europe have experienced similar difficult conditions.
For more information:
James Hallett
British Growers
Tel: +44 (0)1507 602 427
Mob: +44 (0)7775 644475
james.hallett@britishgrowers.org
www.britishgrowers.org