Opportunities outweigh challenges for organic vegetables in the UK

As the organic sector continues to increase, Elsoms remain focussed on working with Bejo to develop varieties that aid production in the UK market. Organic produce forms an important and increasing segment of agricultural and horticultural production in the UK, highlighting the need to identify the best varieties for organic production. Access to the best varieties Elsoms are investing and focussing more on the organic market in line with the increase in organic production. Stephanie Beavis is Organic Manager at Elsoms, which markets all of Bejo’s vegetable seeds in the UK. She stresses that both Elsoms and Bejo are well aware of the challenges facing growers and are keen to develop varieties which aid production, for example through disease resistance or strong vigour which helps crops to outcompete weeds in the early stages of growth. “There are two main organic certification bodies in the UK,” explains Beavis. “There are certain derogations which means that many organic ...