Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
WE’RE RUNNING SPROUT OF VEG
Shortage fear for Christmas after heatwave
A SHORTAGE of sprouts caused by the summer heatwave could stuff our Christmas dinners.
Farmers are also warning that spuds, carrots, leeks and parsnips will be in short supply – and what is available could be smaller and more expensive than usual.
Peter Thorold, who supplies sprouts to Morrisons, Aldi and Lidl, said the driest summer in his 50-year career has created a “crisis”.
He said: “There’s going to be huge shortages. There will be a quarter less sprouts than last year. They’ve not been growing.
“Other vegetables are also in trouble. There’s half as many potatoes as last year. Carrots and parsnips are the same, leeks are down.”
Mr Thorold said his Lincolnshire business was £500,000 down on last year, adding: “There was one period when we had 56 days without rain. I knew then the Christmas supply would be dented.”
Rob Clayton from AHDB Potatoes said spuds had also been nobbled by the earlier cold snap. He said: “Potatoes were late planting because of the Beast from the East and that caused an impact. That has been the same for other vegetables.”
But there is one silver lining to the veg we get to serve up being smaller.
Mr Thorold said: “When it comes to sprouts, they are actually tasting better because they are sweeter.”