UK farmers warn of veg shortages after weather extremes

VEGETABLE shortages are likely in January because of this year’s unusual weather, farmers have warned.

A cold spring followed by the heatwave slowed the growth and delayed the harvest of many crops, and farmers say customers should expect smaller and fewer vegetables.

The shortages are likely to be most keenly felt as people begin New Year healthy-eating resolutions, including many who change their diet to take part in the “Veganuary” initiative.

Jack Ward, of the British Growers Association, said this year’s weather was “the antithesis of what a plant needs to grow properly”. The industry was looking at an overall drop in yields of about 20per cent, he added.

Tim Casey, the chairman of the Leek Growers Association, said some growers were reducing deliveries to customers in an attempt to give crops longer in the fields. He added: “Leek growing and harvesting has never been easy, but we have never seen a year like this one. Our crops have really struggled.”