This year's planting conditions in Lincolnshire are immensely better than they were last year. The pea planting is going well and is on course to finish mid-May.
"It has been a much better start than last year, and assuming the weather holds, we will be done by mid-May," said Stephen Francis from Fen Peas. "We shouldn't have to irrigate, as once established, pea roots seek out moisture in the soil."
The company has 82 growers who grow peas on 5000 acres of land in Lincolnshire.
"The UK pea production is consistent, and we are around 95% self-sufficient. To reach 100% would require investment in producers and processing, and that is very unlikely to happen, peas are a risky crop to grow and the government has withdrawn the SFI (Sustainable Farm Initiative) they have also dropped matched funding for Producer Organisations, this is a massive blow for horticulturee."
Stephen hopes to start the pea harvest in mid-June, and all of the production goes for freezing.
"There are very few fresh peas sold in the UK. "With peas frozen are fresh, the peas are frozen within 150 minutes of being harvested."
For more information:
Stephen Francis
Fen Peas
Tel: +44 7831 615 375
[email protected]
www.fenpeas.com