Low temperatures, high prices

Over the past year, we have experienced climate volatility across the UK and globally, which has dramatically impacted crop yields. During the winter, most vegetables are imported from countries such as Spain, Portugal and Italy. Usually, these areas experience temperatures around 15-18℃, but current temperatures have been falling into single figures with occasional frosts overnight. The shallow temperatures have inhibited the growth of peppers, aubergines, courgettes, cucumbers, iceberg lettuce and cos lettuce. This situation was made worse by poor conditions during the planting season. Due to the reduced availability of imported vegetables, the UK has seen sharp price increases in the products that have made it to the shelves.

In the UK, there are often regional differences in the growth of crops caused by varying local conditions. Due to the cold winter this country also experienced, there is currently a reduced Brassica production, leading to price rises for homegrown crops. Areas such as Kent often have an advantage in cold weather due to its private farmland and proximity to the coast. However, moving towards the midlands in areas such as Lincolnshire, there is little protection from the elements.

Even though we are currently seeing strained vegetable production, this could mean we have an influx of products ready simultaneously when the global temperatures rise. Get ready to enjoy all of those delicious veggies!