A shortage of rhubarb crops has been caused by unseasonably warm temperatures wreaking havoc on the English farming industry, reports telegraph.co.uk. Asparagus has also been affected with the weather causing the season to run two months ahead of schedule.
Yorkshire forced rhubarb relies on cold temperatures for early growth but, due to the warm and wet weather, they will now not hit the market until the second week of February.
Small quantities of the rhubarb are being sold now, but most retailers are still opting for Dutch varieties. However, thanks to the shortage, growers are seeing quite high prices.
Henry Chinn, from Cobrey Farms, said temperatures in December were eight degrees higher than average, creating the early season for asparagus.
"We would normally expect big volumes from the tunnel crop by Valentine’s Day, with the main volume coming through by the end of March. We are hoping for another pick this week but it is weather dependent.
"We’re always trying to be early, but our retail customers need big volumes."
Source: telegraph.co.uk
