Supermarkets are agreeing to accept smaller than usual cauliflowers, sprouts, cabbages and leeks as farmers struggle to cope with poor weather and flooding around the UK.
The move to keep fresh British produce on the shelves comes after heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding, which started in late autumn and continued through Christmas and the new year, affecting growers mainly in Lincolnshire, East Anglia, Cornwall, and Scotland.
Poor weather and higher fertilizer costs, energy, and labor have all contributed to higher prices and tight supplies of many vegetables in the UK. The price of carrots and brussels sprouts was up by more than 150% year on year and potatoes by 45% before supermarkets brought in special Christmas discounts.
Farmers have predicted there could be shortages in the spring after fields were washed out, and the cost of heating greenhouses has meant many growers have delayed planting. The British potato crop was expected to hit its lowest-ever level at 4.1m tonnes.
Read more at theguardian.com
