Frozen vegetable supplier Icefresh warns that reduced crops in many parts of Europe will make supplies of vegetables for both the fresh and frozen markets tight.

Shortages are due to heavy rain in northern Europe and difficult weather conditions in eastern Europe, particularly Poland, according to Icefresh's Mark Cobb.

Cauliflower, spinach, onions and carrots are all affected.

Icefresh estimates that Belgium and the Netherlands may lose 20 per cent of their spinach crops, with the autumn harvest 30 per cent short and losses in Germany of up to 15 per cent. Supplies of carrots are likely to fall 15 per cent short of the target for the processing market with lifting this autumn expected to show yields reduced by a quarter. Onion crops across Europe are down by an estimated 30 per cent and delays to planting in cauliflower have had a knock-on effect resulting in shortages in the autumn.

Prices are therefore on the increase and are forecast by Icefresh to continue to rise into the new year. The processing market will therefore be an attractive alternative for many growers.