According to Emily and Guy French of Foxes Farm, Aldham and Basildon, this summer’s extreme heat and drought have significantly impacted yield. Foxes Farm is one of the UK’s leading pumpkin wholesale growers. Due to extreme weather, the harvest of pumpkins is down by a third this year compared to last.
The quality of crop is good, but the yield of crop has been significantly reduced. The fruit is highly susceptible to heat and water conditions and this year’s incessant sun caused vines to abort growing any additional fruit, effecting yield of crop.
Also, the farm reported that on average, growing costs have gone up by 400 per cent. The cost of seed, fertilizer and nutrients had quadrupled with the cost of fertilizer pushing £1,000 per ton.
Source: echo-news.co.uk