MWW reports bumper green bean harvest despite drought

UK fresh produce business Minor, Weir & Willis (MWW) has reported a bumper green bean crop this season, despite one of the driest UK summers in recent years.

July, a critical growth period for green beans, saw just 1mm of rainfall across the country, putting significant pressure on crops.

Despite the challenging conditions, MWW said its agronomy strategy has helped maintain yields, with the business recording its biggest single week of harvesting to date and more than 100 tonnes of green beans heading to retail shelves across the UK.

As the season began in April, the company used precision drilling technology alongside the application of fertiliser directly into the seed row.

MWW said the approach gave plants the best possible start while reducing fertiliser use, supporting the company’s wider focus on more sustainable growing practices.

Frosts in May presented a further challenge, with the potential to delay crop development and reduce the length of the harvest window. However, MWW said years of research and trial work into varietal selection for the UK climate helped keep production on track.

Growers used trial data to identify varieties best suited to dry conditions, while investment in newly built on-farm reservoirs provided an additional layer of resilience during the drought.

The reservoirs store water collected during the winter and spring months, allowing growers to irrigate crops through periods of prolonged dry weather.

MWW said the season demonstrated the growing importance of climate resilience across the fresh produce sector. The company is also planning to expand its reservoir capacity this autumn, adding to its water-storage network ahead of the 2027 growing season.

As September approaches, the green bean harvest is expected to continue for a further six weeks. MWW said beans are cut during the early hours of the morning and transferred rapidly to the processing line to help maintain peak quality and freshness for customers.