Veg box company is seeing increased demand for its buying services as pest damage, cosmetic defects and crop flushes caused by heatwaves leave growers without a market
Surplus veg box scheme Oddbox has rescued 6,000 heads of sunburnt cauliflower in the last week as retailers reject cosmetic defects caused by recent heatwaves.
The company, which acts as an alternative market for growers facing rejected or surplus produce, has also bought rejected Pak Choi with cosmetic issues caused by flea beetle, after a surge in pest numbers during the recent hot temperatures.
Along with pest pressure and heat stress, rapid growth cycles and lack of water are causing crop flushes and shortages, with many British vegetables in irregular supply as a result.
Extreme heat is causing crops like courgettes to flush so quickly growers are harvesting the same field twice in one day to catch them before they oversize, Oddbox said.
Meanwhile, growers are reporting severely depleted water reserves with limits on irrigation causing growth to stagnate.
Brassicas have been particularly affected, and Oddbox said it has “no offers on cabbage next week, which is unheard of for this time of year”.
Overall, Oddbox said it has rescued 10 per cent more produce between January and July this year, in part due to the heatwaves causing more rejections.
The company has also seen growth in demand of 16 per cent year on year during this time, but said heat-stressed crops are driving real crop irregularities, in shape, size and yield.
“It’s more important than ever that we have flexible routes to market that can respond when a harvest doesn’t quite follow the forecast,” said Oddbox head of sourcing, Gavin Phelps.
“Oddbox provides a reliable alternative market that not only reduces waste, but protects growers’ income and, crucially, keeps food on people’s tables.”
It comes as the UK records its fifth heatwave of the year, with the hottest day of the year recorded yesterday (13 August) with a temperature of 38.1 degrees at Kew Gardens, in London.
British growers are facing disastrously low harvests across multiple crops, including brassicas, peas and salad, while overseas producers in Spain, Morocco and the Netherlands are facing similarly unprecedented growing conditions.
The situation is reflected across other food crops, including dairy and cereals, with national media reporting that the UK is facing the “worst food security crisis in decades” as prices are expected to increase.
