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The calm after the storm

17th August 2007, 11:51am

Nigel Harris, managing director at Fresh Direct comments about the effects flooding has had on crops.

"Growers have been put under enormous levels of pressure due to the flooding earlier on in the year, which has left us with shortages in produce such as potatoes, lettuce and brassica.

As a result, many growers are having to take products from the ground early to avoid damage and to maintain supplies. However, despite growers' best efforts, the quality and shelf life of these crops will, in many cases, have been compromised.

We've seen brassica crops suffer from rot, splitting, pinking and discolouration, but growers will continue to harvest the best heads.

Due to the circumstances' severity, the alternatives are to, wherever possible, import those lines that have suffered in UK, or turn the affected lines off and try to supply an alternative UK product until supply and demand on the affected crops is able to equalise again.

We are currently substituting savoy cabbage with green or white cabbage and sourcing cauliflower from Poland. Many customers have completely switched broccoli off altogether and are replacing this with leek.

We've also heard that there are rumours that we may be facing a shortage of the traditional and much loved brussel sprout this Christmas.

However, they are a notoriously hardy crop, so unless the current situation changes, the brussel sprout looks set to make it's appearance again this Christmas."

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