Field vegetable production will continue to come under pressure in 2009, according to consultant Andersons.
The firm's head of business research, Francis Mordaunt, said: "There is continued pressure on this fresh produce sector. The table below shows the decline in area over the last 10 years, with all categories losing acres.
| 000ha |
1997 |
2007 |
% change |
| Roots & Onions |
31.75 |
28.70 |
-9.6 |
| Brassicas |
35.93 |
26.40 |
-26.5 |
| Legumes |
65.93 |
44.69 |
-32.2 |
| Others |
17.65 |
15.86 |
-23.5 |
"Roots include carrots, parsnips, turnips and beetroot, and “Others” includes crops like asparagus, leeks and lettuce. The statistics also show a decline in volumes and in value in all sectors except for roots and onions. In this category there was a 4% increase in tonnage from a 10% decline in area and a 13% increase in value."
"The vining pea sector has seen a bumper crop, after a disastrous year in 2007. The collapse of combinable crop commodity prices came soon enough to affect contract negotiations, handing processors a lever to reduce prices and the competition for processing space will put pressure on margins in the short term.
"Only the strong will continue in onions, a market which is leaving little margin unless outstanding results are achieved. Further rationalisation of this sector is anticipated. The whole fresh produce industry is looking more fragile and a continued cause for concern."