Despite Delayed Planting, the 2024 Carrot Harvest Shows Promise
The new season carrot harvest has commenced in various parts of England, with early reports indicating good quality and normal yields despite a wet spring that delayed planting. “Norfolk and Suffolk have already started, here in Yorkshire we are about two weeks away,” said Rodger Hobson, a carrot grower and Chairman of the British Carrot Growers Association. “I am hearing that quality is good and yields are normal. There is always a good demand for fresh, new season carrots.”
A Year-Round Supply Interrupted by Weather
The UK typically enjoys a year-round supply of home-grown carrots. However, this year saw stocks deplete early, necessitating imports from countries like Israel, Spain, France, and even as far away as China. “The wet spring which delayed planting means we will not have a bumper crop, but if we get typical English summer, a bit of sunshine and bit of rain then we can expect a normal season. It is all still to play for, the weather is very unpredictable and anything can happen. I don’t think there will be many carrots exported this year,” Hobson explained.
Pricing and the Retail Market
A recurring issue within the agricultural sector is the low retail prices of fruits and vegetables, which do not always reflect the earnings of the growers. “Carrots are not an expensive item, even now with a kilo retailing at around 70p, it works out at £0.06 for a portion, you can eat carrots for three months for the price of a McDonald’s. Fresh, healthy produce should be affordable,” Hobson emphasized.
Promoting British Carrots
In an effort to boost the profile of British carrots, the British Carrot Growers Association is launching a new initiative. October 3rd will mark the first National Carrot Day, dedicated to celebrating and promoting the virtues of British-grown carrots. This initiative aims to raise awareness and encourage more consumers to choose locally grown carrots, supporting both health and local agriculture.
