sprouts

Sprouts have matured earlier due to warm temperatures

British sprouts are up to 20 per cent larger than a normal year with some around the size of a golf ball, Morrisons has said.

The retailer said it is expecting the crop, estimated to be the largest sprouts seen for a decade, in stores this week. Measuring approximately 40mm wide and 45mm long, the sprouts are expected to weigh around 35g, compared to the more typical 15g.

Mild weather during the last month is responsible for the larger sizing as crops matured earlier, with one Lincolnshire grower telling FPJ that warm temperatures have also led to higher levels of disease and a consequent slight reduction in yields overall.

Yorkshire sprout grower and Morrisons supplierJohn Clappison said: “Our sprout plants have loved the warmer weather. The higher temperatures have made them shoot up and produce the biggest most succulent sprouts that we’ve seen 10 years.”

Graham Cottee, sprout buyer at Morrisons, said: “Normally, the sprouts we sell are only 30mm in diameter and weigh 15g. We expect these bigger sprouts will be highly sought after by some sprout lovers.”

Morrisons said it will stock over 1,000 tonnes of sprouts - from growers in Scotland and Yorkshire - during the winter, with the season expected to run until March.

For a full analysis of the UK vegetable market see the next issue of FPJ, out 4 December.