Scottish vegetable producer ESG Drysdale has said that the unseasonably warm summer has affected the growth of crops, particularly brassicas, bringing maturity forward and reducing yields.
ESG Drysdale Brand and Marketing Manager Nat told Fresh Plaza, “Crops have come on quicker than expected at certain points due to the warm, dry summer we’ve experienced, which has meant careful management of harvesting schedules. Despite the warm weather, quality has generally been good, and our growers have adapted well to the conditions. The warm spells have certainly accelerated growth, which has affected yields. However, with careful planning and the scale and size of our grower/member base, we’ve been able to ensure a consistent supply.”
Crop quality has been maintained by access to irrigation, with careful management of water supplies in line with abstraction licenses. “Water security remains a critical issue for the industry, so we take a proactive approach to managing it, such as monitoring usage, efficient irrigation, and sharing resources and best practices across our cooperative,” continued Nat. “Our growers have also invested in building and expanding existing on-site reservoirs. It’s about building resilience rather than just reacting to scarcity.
“Irrigation is a significant investment in both time and money. Fuel, equipment, and labour all add to costs. However, ensuring crop quality and meeting customer specifications is non-negotiable. Without irrigation in dry periods, yields and quality would suffer far more. In that sense, irrigation is a cost of doing business, but one that protects both our growers and customers in the long run.”
He added, “Challenges elsewhere in the UK have put us under a little more pressure on demand. We’ve seen steady interest from our core retail partners, and brassicas remain a staple product in many UK households. We’re seeing more people using them in the summer, too, like eating sprouts raw in salads or putting broccoli and cauliflower steaks on the barbecue. It shows how versatile they are and how much they suit a health-conscious diet all year round.”
