There are going to be far fewer British peas to go around in 2012/13.
The drought conditions earlier this year followed by the record
rainfall in April and June have severely dented the prospects of
this year's British crop.
British shoppers enjoy 150 million kilos of frozen peas every
year worth over £200m at retail prices. Over 90% of these are grown
in the UK.
James Hallett, Chief Executive of the British Growers'
Association comments, "Because the pea harvest is so short,
Britain's experienced growers are able to predict the final crop
size with a high degree of accuracy. Many British growers are
forecasting at least a 40% drop in their harvest after a really
tough summer, a potential reduction in retail sales of up to £80m.
We are already seeing low grade, poor quality Spanish peas coming
into the UK as a result."
British growers from East Anglia to Scotland have been battling
against the weather since January and the unseasonably high
rainfall, dull skies and cool temperatures in late spring and early
summer have done a lot of damage.
As we near the mid-point of the short 10 week pea harvest it is
clear that the decrease in crop yield may affect prices shoppers
pay for their frozen peas.
Growers are working closely with their retail customers and
processors to ensure that great British peas stay on shoppers'
dinner plates. UK growers have invested significantly to maximise
crop yields in these very difficult conditions and now need to
secure fair return for their crop after such a tough season.
The British produced crop is renowned for producing high
quality, tasty, healthy, responsibly farmed peas. At this
late stage crop shortfalls will not be made up in the remainder of
the British season or with imported peas, since growers across
Europe have experienced similar difficult conditions.
For more information please contact james.hallett@britishgrowers.org
07775 644475