Scottish daffodil producers prepare for picking

PICKING: Timings of English output may see Scottish producers get own market slot

Scotland’s daffodil crop is on target for picking to begin within the next three to four weeks.

It’s an earlier start than average but later than last year’s February 19 beginning, which was considered to be an all-time record.

Mark Clark, managing director of Montrose-based Grampian Growers, said an early season is usually good for members, depending on when Easter falls.

“If we get a very mild spell from now on we’ll be picking in about three weeks, while a cold spell could see us waiting four or even five weeks before starting,” he said.

“Our long-term average start to picking is between March 5 and 12, so we’re definitely in an early season this year, having had no winter to speak of. In general, an early start is good, although the biggest benefit is felt on the bulb side of our business because the bulbs from which we don’t pick any flowers start to grow on earlier and we get better bulb yields as a result.”

Seasonal timing also has an impact on marketplace competition in the UK, particularly against production coming from growers in Cornwall and Lincolnshire.

If Cornwall runs late, for example, and Scotland is early, the output from the two areas hits the market close together, and there can also be a clash between the two areas in demand for pickers.

The good news for Scottish growers, however, is that although Cornwall suffered a very cold spell 10 days ago, almost halting production, a return to milder weather means the crop there is already in full production.

The crop in Lincolnshire, meanwhile, is very early this year, placing output there only about seven days behind Cornwall, all of which leaves Scotland with its own market slot to fill in March and April.

Picking may start in Scotland in three weeks.