Scotland has seen some very warm, dry weather this summer, which has brought crops on faster than in 'normal' years. This has also been the case at ESG Drysdale, which grows vegetables along the east coast of Scotland.
"Crops have come on quicker than expected at certain points due to the warm, dry summer we've experienced, which has meant careful management of harvesting schedules," explains Nat Cowx, Brand and Marketing Manager at ESG Drysdale. "Despite the warm weather, quality has generally been good and our growers have adapted well to the conditions."
© ESG Drysdale
"The warm spells have certainly accelerated growth, which has affected yields. However, with careful planning and the scale and size of our grower/member base, we've been able to ensure a consistent supply.
At the moment, ESG Drysdale is harvesting broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage across their sites. They are also into the early stages of the leek, pea, and sprouts programme, which will run through into the autumn and winter months.
© ESG Drysdale
Water restrictions
So far, there have been no major water restrictions in the area, but Nat said they are always very conscious of responsible water use and work closely with SEPA and monitor abstraction carefully to ensure compliance. "Water security remains a critical issue for the industry, so we take a proactive approach to managing it, such as monitoring usage, efficient irrigation, and sharing resources and best practices across our cooperative. Our growers have also invested in building and expanding existing on-site reservoirs. It's about building resilience rather than just reacting to scarcity.
"Irrigation is a significant investment in both time and money. Fuel, equipment, and labour all add to costs. However, ensuring crop quality and meeting customer specifications is non-negotiable. Without irrigation in dry periods, yields and quality would suffer far more. In that sense, irrigation is a cost of doing business, but one that protects both our growers and customers in the long run."
© ESG Drysdale
Demand for brassicas
"Challenges elsewhere in the UK have put us under a little more pressure on demand. We've seen steady interest from our core retail partners, and brassicas remain a staple product in many UK households. We're seeing more people using them in the summer, too, like eating sprouts raw in salads or putting broccoli and cauliflower steaks on the barbecue. It shows how versatile they are and how much they suit a health-conscious diet all year round.
Nat expects demand to pick up as we move into autumn and families return to normal routines. The cooler weather, school meal programmes, and a shift back towards hearty, home-cooked meals all support an uplift in sales from September onwards.
Broccoli remains ESG Drysdale's largest brassica crop, both in terms of volume and consistency of supply. It's a key line for the company's retail customers and continues to be a strong focus for the business.
For more information:
Nat Cowx
ESG Drysdale
Tel: +44 1368 830 448
[email protected]
www.esgdrysdale.co.uk
