Crop Report

Baby Garlic Kale Mix combines soft, delicate young leaves with a subtle garlic lift, bringing flavour and aroma without dominating the plate. It’s versatile enough to serve raw in salads, pair with brunch dishes, or use as a bright, fresh finishing touch.

Washed and ready to use, it offers a high convenience solution for busy kitchens, adding instant texture and depth to seasonal menus with virtually no prep required.

Thie week will see us move to 100% British supply for strawberries and blackberries, which should put an end to any lingering quality concerns.

Severe storms and flooding across several South African growing regions has restricted access to orchards, and the Government has declared a national disaster. Damaged roads and infrastructure are adding to the disruption, while strong winds at Cape Town port are causing shipping delays.

The most significant pressure is expected on easy peelers and lemons, Harvesting has resumed after a delay of around three weeks, and the orchards are being assessed for long-term damage. 

The longer-term outlook is that there will be market shortages, with availability of easy peelers and lemons likely to be challenging until the end of July or early August. We will also be monitoring the quality of these lines, as they are more susceptible to quality issues caused by excess water. 

Supply is currently a mix of stored UK product and imports, both of which have some quality concerns. Heads are requiring heavier trimming, which reduces finished weight; the existing concession remains in place to manage this. Availability is likely to stay tight until the new British season begins at the end of the month.

Reduced air freight from Kenya, due to the Iran conflict, has led to fewer shipments and means that we are seeing some inconsistent availability. As the product is likely to be in transit for a longer period of time, quality is variable, which is affecting shelf life.

Volumes remain strong, so we’re not expecting any supply gaps. The main challenge continues to be uneven quality and, with some pressure on the wider market, we’re working closely with growers to secure the most dependable fruit and protect availability.

The first new season British sweetheart cabbage is due shortly, which will improve consistency and help to ease current supply pressure.

Italian kiwis are expected to finish during May, ahead of the Chilean season starting in early June. Controlled storage stocks and contingency plans are in place to ensure a smooth transition.

As the season draws to a close, we’re seeing some isolated quality issues, including yellowing. We’re working with growers to minimise any impact on customers. We expect the transition to the new UK season to be completed within the first two weeks of June.