Unprecedented challenges for UK brassica growers

As the Christmas season approaches, UK vegetable growers are working hard to ensure we have our key Christmas vegetables. Growers know what to expect as we approach the Christmas season and have spent months planning to ensure there is a good supply of traditional seasonal vegetables, which are such an important part of Christmas. But despite the festive spirit, UK producers are facing increasing challenges due to Britain's unprecedented weather. The UK has faced extraordinary levels of rainfall during autumn 2023. Storms Agnes, Babet and Ciaran have implications for production and security of supply until spring 2024. Lincolnshire, a major vegetable production area, recorded the astonishing figure of 150 mm. In October alone, 312% above the long-term average. And continued rains through December are filling already flooded fields, making harvesting difficult. While Christmas supplies will be tight, especially cauliflower, where continuous heavy rains over the past two months have ...