Worcestershire bean growers have had difficulties with seed this season which has been stalling supplies onto the market. "There have been a lot of problems with vigour of seed from some seedhouses," said Dan Lloyd, a member and former chairman of the Worcester Bean Growers Association. "We hope the situation will start to correct this weekend or by Monday or Tuesday of next week."

He reported that product is selling at 50-60p a lb but on some markets is up to 80p a lb as prices reflect the lack of volume coming through.

The changeable weather so far this month has favoured bean production, however. "The beans have been growing more slowly as a result and so they have been putting a lot of flesh on," said Lloyd.

Picking started around June 16 which is about a week earlier than usual but still three days behind last year’s exceptionally early start. Lloyd expects the season to go until first frosts in mid-October as usual, with the youngest crops still only a foot high.

Overall volumes this season are expected to be in line with recent seasons averages, and if they are slightly lower the difference will only be marginal.

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