UK: Brassica production trends in Lincolnshire

Experts predict an oversupply of brassicas this season

For many years, Lincolnshire has played a key role in the brassica supply chain, due to the extensive area of alkaline silts in a cool easterly airflow. According to Phillip Effingham, chairman of the Brassicas Growers Association (BGA), the expectations for this season are that oversupply will continue, and coupled with falling consumption, the outlook “is not particularly sustainable”.

The brassica market place is extremely weather sensitive and there have certainly been some extremes over the last 12 months. Therefore, supply has been more volatile than normal, with major oversupply at key marketing stages. Consequently, grower and supplier profitability has been severely challenged.

In the Lincolnshire brassica market, broccoli is the favourite, despite being a relative newcomer into the market from about 20 years ago. Nowadays, it is more popular with children: a key factor in consumer purchasing decisions.

Lincolnshire brassicas
Lincolnshire remains very important for the brassica market. As brassicas were originally a maritime species, the situation of the county is ideal, supported by a critical mass of labour and transport from other fresh produce industries based in the area.
 
However, there are other areas better suited to winter and early production, such as Cornwall, Lancashire and Kent, again generally sited in maritime locations. The cooler climate of Eastern Scotland is also beneficial to summer production of broccoli and Brussels sprouts.

S&G Brassicas Today - May 2010