The planting of the pea crop in the UK finished up in mid-May, which is around normal according to Stephen Francis from Fen Peas. "All of the crop was well established, but we have had no meaningful rain since.
"The early crops did well, but we are now on the later crops and they are struggling. We are getting hot days, warm nights, and wind."
© Fen Peas
Stephen said the pea harvest started on the 5th of June, the earliest start date ever by four days.
"We expect to finish the harvest by 22 July, which is 12 -14 days ahead of normal. The quality has been good, but the season has been difficult to manage and I expect yields to be down, it is too early to say by how much."
Fen Peas farms over 5000 hectares of peas throughout the country, the situation does vary a little depending on the region.
"We still have a way to go with the harvest and it has not been as dry in Scotland so the yields from there might be better."
Consistent demand
"Demand is consistently strong for peas. This week Wimbledon banned avocados and replaced them with crushed peas on toast! Peas are inexpensive, there is no prep and no waste. They don't stay in the soil for long and leave goodness in the soil for the next year."
For more information:
Stephen Francis
Fen Peas
Tel: +44 7831 615 375
[email protected]
www.fenpeas.com
