Supply of British leeks is set to be strong in the months leading up to Christmas, despite the late start to the growing season.
Planting was delayed by up to six weeks by some growers, due to the cold spring, but the long hot summer has enabled many crops to catch up as we enter the main British leek season.
The late start to planting meant leek imports this year between February and July were much higher than usual. Nick Allpress, managing director of Allpress Farms in Cambridgeshire estimated imports were around twice the normal volume.
However, while some crops are still a little behind due to the late planting, the quality and volumes are good. “Whenever you’ve got immature crops you’ve always got good quality,” says Tim Casey, of J&V Casey & Son in Lincolnshire.“The quality is good with no disease or pest problems,” agrees Allpress. “Availability up until Christmas will be good.”
The weather in October will largely determine the quality and yield of leeks still in the fields, destined for tables in January, February and March.
Consumer demand for leeks over the summer has been around 15 per cent lower than last year, according to Allpress, but this was due to the poor summer of 2012 driving more consumers into their kitchens. Demand for British leeks is expected to pick up as the winter draws in.
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