As in many parts of Europe, the UK suffered from a very hot summer and drought conditions which saw vegetable yields reduced by 25-30% in parts of the country. Early summer is also the time when crops are planted for the winter season December- March.
“Some crops will have been affected by the hot weather and drought back in the summer, but we are not getting too many horror stories concerning winter crops,” said Jack ward, CEO of the British Growers Association.
“Energy costs though remain a big concern for growers, while the price cap does offer some help costs have still risen significantly. For some growers the increase is hundreds of thousands of pounds and they just don’t have that kind of money. This for some people will mean digging into savings or approaching the bank but for some it will mean just stopping growing crops.”
There have been some price increases in what is paid to growers but it is not across the board, it very much depends on a grower’s individual deal with the retailers and if that grower is in a position to say no to lower returns and just not plant the crop, this is not so easy for those with crops already in the ground or with tree crops such as apples.
“Price inflation is very much needed because without it, people won’t be able to plant for future supply or stay in business.”
The high cost of energy is making people look further afield for produce such as tomatoes as countries in northern Europe can’t afford produce them through the winter. Morocco is receiving a lot attention for tomatoes and soft fruit, will this become the norm and will more producers move to grow crops in other countries?
“The UK fresh produce industry is full of highly innovative people looking for opportunities in other parts of the world, but there are also challenges in starting growing in another country.”
Jack added that in the UK we have been through a period of political instability which is very concerning, there have also been many changes at DEFRA at a time when they need to work closely with growers, he is hoping that we can now enter a more settled period as we approach more changes in January.
For more information:
Jack Ward
British Growers Association
[email protected]
www.britishgrowers.org
