The British onion crop is facing its “most challenging season ever”, growers have warned.
The crop is heavily concentrated in one of the worst affected areas, East Anglia, with 90% of supply grown in the region, which had only 2mm of rainfall for the whole of July – approximately 96% lower than average.
The British Onion Producers’ Association has warned the situation is serious, with supplies expected to be tighter, sizes smaller and quality reduced.
Despite significant investment in irrigation, water shortages and restrictions had prevented growers from irrigating at key stages, the grower association added.
Crops have, as a result, matured exceptionally early with some finishing more than a month ahead of normal, which has reduced plant populations, bulb size and marketable yields.
“This is the most challenging season ever encountered by the British onion industry,” said Ben Collins, chairman of the BOPA. “The combination of prolonged drought, extreme heat and limited water availability has put this year’s crop under extreme pressure.
“It is clear that yield and bulb size will be a challenge this season, while the extreme growing conditions are also creating significant concerns around quality.”
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