The long spell of hot weather in the UK this summer has caught up with brassicas resulting in a shortage in supplies.

"We plant our crops sequentially, so we can provide a constant flow of brassicas. However, they began to run out of steam around the third week of August with little moisture getting through," said Grahame Ball, marketing director at Univeg.

Cauliflower plantings normally reach maturity at 70-90 days. But the hot weather brought the crop on earlier. Ball said: "The crops were reaching maturity at around 60 days and eventually something had to give. Also, we have had very little rain from the end of July which exacerbated the issue."

All brassicas are showing reduced yields although more so cauliflowers and broccoli. "We have seen reduced yields for cabbage and sprouts, but these are in less demand during the hot weather. Consumers still enjoy cauliflower and broccoli during the summer months so these crops have been hit the hardest," he said.

But the growing process for brassicas is improving. Ball said: "Plants are beginning to grow again and we are even beginning to see some rain. From around the third week of September through to the end of October we are expecting improvements and are hopeful for yield increases."

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