Burscough, Lancashire. 10th Dec 2018. UK Weather: Mechanical harvesting leeks on sodden fields. During spells of wet weather or in damp conditions, leek rust may attack the crops. Leek producers are now struggling to make ends meet according as the cold spring and record dry summer take their toll on a category that is already losing market share. Leeks are tolerant of cold, so harvest is delayed until after the first frosts. According to the British Growers Association yields are already down 23 per cent. Credit: MediaWorldImages/AlamyLiveNews
Leek producers are now struggling to make ends meet according to Tim Casey, chairman of the Leek Growers Association, as the cold spring and record dry summer take their toll on a category that is already losing market share. The weakness of the pound, Brexit uncertainty and rising labour costs have added to their woes by further squeezing margins. According to the British Growers Association (BGA) yields are already down 23 per cent. Unlike other categories which have also suffered similar hardships, leek sales don't enjoy the same levels of other staple crops like carrots, onions and lettuce. Casey called on growers' customers to support leek growers to prevent the category being "devestated". “Leek growing and harvesting has never been easy, but we have never seen a year like this one, our leek crops have really struggled. They had delayed establishment with the cold wet spring and then the extreme hot dry conditions this summer, all this has slowed crop growth. And to cap it all we still have very dry soils so the usual autumn growth is just not happening,”
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Location: Burscough, UK
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