No sprouts for Christmas
Friday, 04 Aug 2006 10:11
Brussels sprouts could be in short supply this Christmas
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Christmas dinners may be missing the traditional brussels sprouts this winter, experts have warned.
Because of the recent hot weather, and with another heatwave expected, British growers have been struggling to adapt.
And one of the first vegetables to feel the effect of the drought is sprouts, although cabbage, cauliflowers and broccoli may also be in short supply if drought conditions return before the autumn harvest.
"Brussels sprouts are a lot shorter in length stem than they would normally be at this point in the season so there is not as many buttons setting on the crop," Alistair Ewan, chairman of the Brassica Growers Association, told BBC Radio 4.
"Hence there could be a 20 to 30 per cent shortfall in the volume of sprouts coming off throughout the autumn and early winter period."
Britain had its hottest ever July this year and weather forecasters are predicting that plus-30C temperatures are set to return later this month.
And with Europe also experiencing exceptional weather, price increases for the whole brassica family – which includes sprouts and cabbage – are likely this year.
"Remember that the heatwave is not particular to the UK - it is over the whole of Europe. In fact, [in relation to] the cauliflower situation, Belgium and Poland have been hit particularly bad," Mr Ewan added.
The highest July temperature in the UK since the turn of the 20th century was recorded near Gatwick airport last month, when the mercury soared to 36.3C (97.3F).