Tesco takes smaller veg from farmers hit by floods

A SUPERMARKET chain is temporarily accepting some smaller-than-usual vegetables from flood-hit farmers.

One grower reported that sprouts were growing underwater due to flooding, and that it was a race against time to pull vegetables from the ground before they rotted.

A relaxation on size requirements by Tesco on sprouts, cauliflowers, cabbages and leeks is helping to keep British vegetables on the shelves rather than rely on imports, and to reduce the risk of shortages.

The supermarket said farmers will still supply them with more of their crop, and avoid having to sell at lower prices on the open market.

Heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding has affected growers around the country.

One of the biggest growers of winter vegetables, TH Clements, based near Boston in Lincolnshire, reported that they have only had a handful of dry days since October which has made harvesting difficult.

TH Clements commercial director John Moulding said:

“This is the worst flooding we have had this century and we have lost about 20% of our total winter crops including sprouts, cabbages, cauliflower and leeks.

“It’s been a very tough time for us for more than three months both physically and financially in having to pull the vegetables out of the muddy fields.

“We have literally had to race against the clock to get the vegetables pulled out of the ground to stop them from rotting.

“The flexibility that Tesco has given us has allowed us to maximise the amount of product we can get on their shelves therefore guaranteeing greater availability for shoppers.”