Broccoli Shortage Due to Climate Change

Climate change is increasingly affecting agriculture. In the United Kingdom, a broccoli and cauliflower shortage may develop this spring, as mild weather has caused cabbage varieties to bloom early. This means that during the period between April and June, the well-known "hunger period" in vegetable production, there will be fewer fresh domestic crops. British producers say that due to last year's rainy summer and extremely mild autumn, plants developed faster than usual. This disrupted the natural cold requirement that would be necessary to delay flowering. Guy Barter, chief gardener of the Royal Horticultural Society, said that in his own garden, cauliflowers ripened months before the usual time. The wet climate not only accelerates flowering but also favors the proliferation of slugs. These pests are particularly dangerous for cabbage cultivation. According to the Met Office, winters are becoming increasingly rainy and mild, which poses serious long-term challenges for food ...