Crop Report

We continue to closely monitor the potential market implications arising from the conflict in the Middle East. Independent of the challenges linked to the conflict, global shipping remains a significant risk factor for fresh produce. Severe weather conditions are causing substantial delays and congestion at major ports, resulting in extended transit times across key international routes.

In recent weeks, the number of late running vessels has continued to increase—a particularly difficult situation during the winter period, when adverse weather can trigger sudden and widespread disruption.

Strawberry availability is steadily improving as supply transitions to Spain. With volumes increasing, we do not anticipate any further short term issues, though we will continue to monitor the situation closely.

Raspberries remain more challenging due to adverse weather in Morocco. Recent sandstorms have caused damage to greenhouses, and lower temperatures are affecting fruit quality. This has coincided with regional transitions within Morocco, creating additional pressure on supply. As a result, short term, market wide constraints on raspberries are likely. We are monitoring the situation closely and working with our suppliers to minimise the impact on customers.

While our availability remains satisfactory, market supply of avocados is coming under increasing pressure, which may affect availability in the coming weeks.

Industrial action at Israeli ports—currently the main source of European avocados at this time of year—is slowing outbound shipments, with the situation further complicated by the ongoing conflict in the region. In addition, adverse weather conditions in Spain and Morocco are affecting both crop development and transport, reducing volumes at a key point in the season.

Together, these factors are creating a particularly challenging period for the category. We are monitoring the situation closely for any further developments. In the short term, we do not anticipate issues, as we have expanded sourcing to additional origins to minimise risk and maintain supply.

Tenderstem® supply has been significantly impacted across all major growing regions due to adverse weather and ongoing logistical challenges. Spain, Portugal, Egypt, and Kenya are all experiencing crop or freight disruptions, resulting in reduced availability across the market.

The next six weeks are expected to remain challenging. However, we are working closely with suppliers and do not anticipate major issues with our own supply, although the overall availability picture remains difficult, with limited stock in the wider market.

We are nearing the end of the Spanish season and are beginning to see the expected challenges with smaller sized lemons. To protect supply, we will switch to southern hemisphere fruit in the first week of April—around a month earlier than usual.

Availability of smaller sizes is likely to remain tight until the main southern hemisphere season is fully underway.

As delayed vessels continue to arrive, lime availability has improved significantly.

Although some shortages remain in the market, the situation is now much better, with fewer delays impacting supply.

We will continue to monitor quality closely as the remaining vessels dock, given the extended time the fruit has spent at sea.

We are seeing reduced volumes from Spain following last week’s adverse weather conditions, which prevented growers from harvesting. Conditions have now improved, so we expect this to be a temporary issue.

Tomatoes continue to be affected by cooler temperatures and recent sandstorms in Morocco, creating difficult growing conditions. Supply from mainland Spain and the Canary Islands is ongoing, but some quality issues have emerged, requiring concessions on certain tomato lines from different origins.

Peppers remain under significant pressure. Low temperatures are limiting production, and yellow peppers are extremely restricted. These challenges are expected to continue until the Dutch season begins in April.