The UK has seen very good weather this spring and planting has gone very well from a timing perspective for Peloton Produce at the Lincolnshire site. However, the lack of water is now a cause for concern and Nigel Clare explains that they are getting desperate now for rain so that all the winter cabbage get off to the best start in their growing cycle.
"Our crops under polythene are looking exceptionally good. We are just removing the polythene covers, and it's fair to say that with dry conditions, weed will be our main and only concern with the polythene crops. The non-poly crops are also looking good, however, we are having to use more netting this year, as we are getting a lot of pigeons doing damage to the young vibrant plants and with the lack of moisture we are not seeing the crops growing at a rate that is a faster growth than the pigeons can eat the plants," explains Nigel Clare from the company.
"It has been very dry, but we are expecting rain at the weekend and next week, which is very welcome. If we don't get the rain, then I suspect there will be a gap in production post polythene crop and netted crop."
Peloton are harvesting over wintered cauliflower at present as well as spring cauliflower, broccoli and have started harvesting kale too. Savoy cabbage will start next week followed by sweetheart cabbage.
"There has been a lack of demand since last October on cauliflower and broccoli, 20% and 12% respectively. I'm not entirely sure of the reason, but there have been a lot of other products on the shelves, such as Tenderstem and Purple Sprouting Broccoli. Maybe there is just too much choice for the consumer, compared to other years. There has also been some imported cauliflower from Spain, but we have also managed to export some cauliflower to even out the lack of UK demand, however, I do find it still crazy that we are exporting when imported product is in UK greengrocers and retailers."
Nigel said yesterday's agreement on the trade deal with the EU could make exports easier next year, but it's too early to say at present, however he explained that Peloton are fully trained in Pheats and Customs and this has allowed exporting for Peloton relatively easy since Brexit.
For more information:
Nigel Clare
Peloton Produce
Tel: +44 1945 780222
[email protected]
www.pelotonproduce.co.uk
