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Autumn Crop Report 2024

Summary

Page contents

1 Vegetables 2 Fruits 3 Exotics

Buyer recommendations

Good picks from buyers this season include:

Strawberry Cabbage Spring Cabbage Red Carrot Whole

Market Report

Vegetables

We’ve seen a few issues caused by the heat but overall very good quality.
UK is good quality and size, there have been no issues with stored crop and contingency supply from Spain is not expected this year. UK crop is expected mid-June, no issues expected.
Although late, cauliflower is a good size and quality.
Cos, gem, and iceberg from Shropshire now at their very best.
Produce from Leamington Spa is excellent, with washed from Shropshire. There is some quality challenges now as we move into autumn and the growing cycle lengthens. But so far good availability.
Both Evesham and Lancashire going real well, we are using whole head Oakleaf and Salanova for our red variety.
Yellow & red onions - The supply of red onions from Egypt continued through mid-August, when the European harvest begins for the new season. Brown/yellow cooking onion has just started which is welcomed.
After the early end to the UK season, we moved to imports, which posed challenges primarily related to availability due to strong demand for the Spanish crop. The new UK crop has now begun, There were some smaller-sized roots seen but we expect these to get bigger the further we go into the autumn season.
Lifting has started for some mid-season and salad varieties, and while overall quality is looking promising, there are concerns about yields being lower than expected. There remains some uncertainty about this season’s crop performance, but we should have a clearer understanding within the next four weeks. Mainland Europe, particularly Northern Belgium and Southern Holland, experienced wet weather during their planting period and there are reports that they were unable to plant 20-25% of their crops this year. Consequently, they may turn to the UK to help fill any gaps in supply.
The new UK season is now underway, albeit about four weeks behind schedule. It has been worth the wait as the quality is excellent.
Small amount of Primo was supplied to bridge the gap but the UK savoy is now perfect.
Although late, UK variety is now underway from Lancashire and thriving.
Overwintered crop has ended, new season early crop from east of Scotland is now underway. The main crop will be seen further into autumn.

Fruits

Both supply and quality has been good. Varieties include Loch Ness and Sweet Royalla.
Liberty, Duke and Blue crop, with excellent flavour.
A small amount of black maybe seen until Apirena - Itumtwelve is in supply.
Currently Sugrone from Spain, and we will be moving to Greek - Thomson in autumn.
Majority ok, UK supply is from Scotland, with Evesham supplying mainly Majestic varieties.
UK season is underway and the quality is excellent. Varieties include Morano, Favori and Malling Centenary.

Exotics

While there were delays in arrivals last month due to civil unrest, things have calmed down, quality is very good, and supply has greatly improved.
Supply from India and Thailand in equal quantities, and quality is good.
There are some UK-grown rainbow and orange carrots available. We may also have courgettes and leeks, depending on the growing conditions. South African produce will be available throughout the summer as a backup, but preference will be given to home-grown options.
Currently a mix of Rwandan and Moroccan, with Egyptian just finishing. September will be challenging as Egypt and Moroccan end, but we have Rwanda and Kenya as backup options.
South African will continue to September, where we will start to see European varieties.
Spanish supply with Portuguese taking us into autumn. Quality is very good.
Spanish supply currently, with Turkey arriving early September to take us through autumn.
Availability of Brazilian ginger is good. The new crop of garlic is Spanish, with Chinese varieties available as a backup. Both of good quality.
Mainly Brazilian. Mexican supply is not expected but always there as backup, with no quality issues to report.
Brazilian Tommy Atkins are good with option of Spanish. Peruvian supply will take us through to the end of the year, with quality good.
French banana quality from store is fine. We have a hybrid (cross between banana and round) available to bridge any gaps until new season starts, no problems expected.
Mainly Zimbabwe, with some Kenyan supply. Quality is good.
The primary supply is Honduras, with some US produce available as a contingency due to potential shipping delays. Egyptian supply is expected to arrive in September, and the quality is very good.

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