UK: Warm winter brings bumper vegetable crops amid shortage fears

Bumper crops of vegetables are currently being harvested due to the recent mild weather amid fears Britain could soon be facing a critical shortage and higher prices in shops. Farmers in many parts of the country have reported crops of cabbages, broccoli and cauliflowers have matured two months earlier than normal. Brussels sprouts have also ripened earlier than usual. Experts say this is a result of the abnormally warm weather that Britain has enjoyed in recent times, leading to vegetables becoming "confused". But it has sparked fears that consumers will soon face vegetable shortages - and higher prices at the checkout - as growers struggle to meet demand in later the spring.

Riverford Farm near Totnes, Devon, which supplies 40,000 households with vegetables every week, have reported that savoy cabbages are already so big they have burst of out their boxes. A "fair number" of their plants are flowering, while officials say that up to 20 per cent of the crop has had to be ploughed back into the ground. They are now hoping for a cold snap to slow down vegetables' growth. "Cold weather stems the growth and without it the veg carries on growing all year round," said spokeswoman Rachel Lovell. "The mild autumn means that we have a cabbage crop two months early. Our concern now is whether or not they'll hold until we can pick them.

"This shouldn't be a problem so long as it chills down a bit to keep a lid on things. I never thought I'd say this, but bring on the snow and ice." Cornish farmers are also predicting a cauliflower shortage after a glut. Philip Pryor, who grows cauliflowers near Truro, Cornwall, said that the warm weather had caused a glut and a fall in prices. "Now the weather has gone back to a more normal pattern, volumes are not going to be there for what is required for the Christmas market. The mild weather in October and November has allowed easier picking of vegetables and less blight. This time last year crops such as parsnips were frozen into the ground. The National Farmers Union said the reports of shortages did not reflect the national picture.

Source: telegraph.co.uk