The hot weather has brought with it a whole host of issues for root crop growers this year. However, the industry is ready for whatever the conditions throw at them.
William Burgess is managing director for Produce World Group, the third largest conventional and organic root vegetable and potato supplier in the UK. The group consists of four companies who trade under the names; Solanum, Rustler, Isleham Fresh Produce and RB Organics. He feels there are many tough tasks ahead but the company is more than able to cope with the hot weather.
However, the situation is even more acute in Europe where countries are actually seeking to import from the UK. Dry weather has been an issue in the UK and we are seeing reduced yields as a result, but European yields are even lower.”
Rod Bartlett is a partner at R & R W Bartlett. He believes that the hot weather has brought a range of problems, but the company has been prepared by irrigating the land all summer. “We have provided full irrigation for our crops. If we hadn't done this then I'm not sure what would have been the outcome,” says Bartlett. “One thing is for sure I don't think we will see an over-abundance of crops this year.”
Jack Buck Growers, however, appears in relaxed mood and believes that it is too early to predict what is happening. Director Julian Perowne is responsible for celeriac production. “There is everything to play for still, we're just hoping to have some rain soon.”
Bruce MacMillan, the sales specialist at Seminis, is pleased with how the onions have performed considering the hot, dry weather conditions. He says: “Yields are good in some areas, though probably the overall yields will be down due to the lack of available irrigation. Carrots have also been under stress due to the long, hot dry summer though the quality is very good.”
Bartletts grow approximately 400 acres of parsnips and around 125 acres of turnips. Bartlett says: “Tonnage won't be as high as last year but I don't foresee any issues with quality.”
Jason Burgess, managing director of Rustler and William's brother, says the weather has meant crop has been able to enter long-term storage in prime condition. He says: “This should allow good quality material to be marketed throughout the season. The weather has meant that crop yield has been down between 10-20 per cent. The onion crop has produced less large size fraction, which means loose onions could well fetch premium prices at farm level. On the flip side the price for smaller fractions could be under pressure at times during the season.” He also believes that demand has been lower than expected due to the heat wave and people switching to salad has affected the success of root crops. “The demand is now rising due to schools returning and hopefully the weather will soon take an autumnal turn.”
Perowne agrees with Burgess. “In the hot weather sales are hit hard,” he says.
Bartlett feels the climate plays a big role in affecting customer choices as well as the produce itself. “We are just over half way through one of the mildest Septembers we have seen for years and demand has not been as high as usual. When temperatures dropped two weeks ago we saw an increase in our business, but with warmer weather back last week our sales suffered accordingly,” he says.
Perowne says the weather has had an effect on the celeriac crop. “We had a superb growing period in June giving us our earliest ever polythened new season celeriac,” he says. “But in the last six weeks we have had no rain and high temperatures which has left our main celeriac crop at a standstill. I cannot see it being an early harvest now.”
Bartlett is also pleased with the company's close links with the wholesale market. He says: “Demand remains good within wholesale due to the consistent quality that we supply and demand for parsnips is rising.”
William Burgess has also stated that the Produce World Group is keen to source UK produce wherever possible. “We know UK consumers prefer to buy UK produce and we always endeavour to meet consumer demands. However, owing to our growing supply base in southern Europe we can supply from Europe if required.”
Jason Burgess adds: “We are very dependent on and totally supportive of increasing availability of UK produce. We are always looking at new storage, growing techniques and new varieties to extend the UK season.”
Seminis has several new varieties breaking through. MacMillan explains: “Our yellow carrot (Honey Snack) has attractive sweet yellow coloured roots. They reach a length of approximately 10-15 centimetres and a shoulder width between 30-35 millimetres. Meanwhile our red carrot (Nutri-Red) is the perfect answer to the demand for interesting and healthy food, adding colour and gourmet appeal to many vegetable dishes. The tapered roots grow to a length of approximately 22-25cm with a shoulder width of 20-30mm. It is becoming popular on the continent with its added health benefits, as it has an extremely high lycopene level.”
Seminis has also lined up for next season a new onion called Baldito, which has an improved resistance to mildew. MacMillian says: “This will aid the reduction of inputs.” He is also pleased with the success of the new Nantes-type carrot Torro F1. “This variety has been tried and welcomed by several of our largest customers. It is a flexible variety suitable for maturity second early to main crop.”
Jack Buck Growers is working hard on promotions with supermarkets this coming autumn and winter to generate volume growth for celeriac. Marketing controller Simon Howard says: “We have been developing recipes with celebrity chef Rachel Green who has endorsed the tangy celeriac chip and celeriac satay salad recipes, which we plan to put on a “peel and reveal” recipes labels from October.”
The group has also been working closely with Tesco to develop an endorsed recipe label and recipe leaflet and its “Ugly One” wholesale market brand will be supported with posters and recipe leaflets throughout autumn. Howard says: “The brand is important to us as a brand ambassador as its supports UK growers and adds an element of fun to the way fresh produce is marketed.”
Another exciting entrant into the UK market this year is the purple carrot, which will be entering Sainsbury's stores due to a joint venture between Isleham Fresh Produce and J&D Produce in Texas. The variety was in store for a very short space of time due to limited seed availability. The carrots have a deep purple outer layer and a bright orange core and are sweeter than traditional ones.
This year IFP is working exclusively with Tompsett Burgess Growers Ltd on purple carrots and the crop is expected to last for around four to five months to meet consumer demand. Tompsett managing director Clem Tompsett has been in the carrot industry for over 40 years and is chairman of the British Carrot Growers Association. He said: “I believe the purple carrot has great potential in the UK market.”
As the group has not produced purple carrots in large volumes before this year it has provided a great challenge. Tompsett general manager Ian Hall said: “The purple carrot has been grown in Texas where temperatures are much different. This year has been a learning curve for us as the carrot has not been grown in a temperate climate before.”
This year they are growing around 13 acres of purple carrots which amounts to around 120,000 bunches and Isleham are hoping that this year the produce will be as successful as the trials last year. The unusual carrots were trailed in Sainsbury's stores and reappeared on shelves on September 17. Russell Crowe, Sainsbury's carrot buyer, says: “We are delighted to be able to offer our customers the chance to try this unique purple carrot again. We are hoping the unusual colour will encourage children to tuck into more vegetables.”
The purple carrots will be available in over 150 stores and in-store tastings will take place to try and entice customers as well as a series of recipes card to increase interest.
Sainsbury's quality manager Stephen Hedderly believes the purple carrot has a great opportunity in the UK market. “At Sainsbury's we like to be viewed as innovators and we're excited about the purple carrot entering UK stores.”
Sainsbury's and Isleham are both hoping that this will be the beginning of an exciting new arrangement. There is an exclusive licence on the carrot and IFP has a three-year rolling agreement with Sainsbury's as it hopes to develop a new customer base and excitement with the purple produce.
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