It is tough times in the UK produce industry at the moment. Growers are coping with the effects of the ongoing pandemic and the ever-increasing consequences of Brexit.
Alan Hunt from Freshgro said that it is very tough going just now, “Costs are increasing, there's very little labour available and getting transport is a nightmare.”
“To add to that, the price being paid for carrots at the moment is very low, we are only harvesting enough to keep our regular customers going. We are not chasing work, we want to avoid flooding the market, there are enough people doing that already.
“Volumes are low at the moment but there is still a lot be harvested come September, other producers with lower overheads might be able to sell at a lower cost but it is not an option for us. It is going to be a big challenge for everyone. We are exporting some carrots but the cost exporting is also very high at £270 per pallet.”
Alan said that he didn’t think it was going to get any better soon, as a carrot grower he can store the produce in the ground, those growing other produce don’t have that option.
For more information:
Alan Hunt
Freshgro
Tel: +44 1623 870 803
Email: adhunt@freshgro.co.uk
www.freshgro.co.uk