Crop Update

Produce Availability

Cauliflower and Broccoli

The UK’s recent burst of sizzling sunshine and parched skies has given broccoli and cauliflower a real workout. These cool-loving crops – broccoli is happiest at 15–23 °C and cauliflower, shy of too much direct sun, have been feeling the heat. Broccoli heads can get misshapen, discoloured and a bit too loose when the mercury rises, while cauliflower under blazing rays may stay small, loosen up into “ricey” heads, or take on some sun-kissed colour. Despite these challenges rest assured that our buying team and trusted suppliers are all over this and will ensure that we get the very best product that is available. Aside from the Brassica woes there is plenty of other veg to go at including Leeks, Savoy & Spring green cabbage, Courgettes, Butternut, Sweet Potatoes, Swede and a full range of Squashes and that’s before the more discerning Fine green beans, Mangetout, Sugarsnap Peas and Babycorn!

Aubergines

Availability is good, though not overly abundant. Prices have stabilised and are expected to remain steady. Quality from both the Netherlands and Belgium is excellent. UK-grown aubergines are limited in volume but also of outstanding quality.

Courgettes

Overall supply is healthy, with steady volumes coming from UK growers as well as Spain and the Netherlands. Prices are holding at competitive levels and are not expected to change next week. Quality is consistently good.

Cucumbers

Production from both the UK and Netherlands is improving, but only gradually. Once again, there is not enough to meet demand. Replanted crops are coming through, but too slowly to fill the gap caused by older crops finishing early after a production spike earlier in the season, followed by later-than-planned replanting. The shortfall is lasting longer than anticipated. Prices remain high due to both limited supply and strong European demand. Spanish summer production is limited.

Peppers

Overall supply remains good across all colours, though volumes are now slightly down on recent weeks. Prices for red and yellow peppers have increased slightly, matching the higher green pepper prices. Prices are expected to hold or rise further next week, depending on demand.

Sweet Pointed / Ramiro Peppers

Steady supplies continue from the UK and Netherlands growers, with some additional volume from Spain’s summer crops. Prices are stable and quality remains good.

Padron / Habanero / Jalapeño / Chilli Peppers

Padron volumes are slowly decreasing as Spanish and Moroccan crops finish, with new crops due early next month. Prices are rising gradually. Red chilli supply is steady, but green chillies remain in shorter supply and at higher prices. Jalapeño volumes are also easing back, with prices expected to rise. Quality is good overall.

Sweet Bite Peppers

Good volumes in all colours from the Netherlands, with excellent quality. Prices remain steady.

Standard Loose Round Tomatoes

Following a period of low availability from the Netherlands and Belgium, supplies improved and prices halved. However, this week the extra volume has quickly disappeared, largely due to stronger European demand, particularly from Mediterranean countries importing heavily. Prices are now back to where they were a couple of weeks ago and are expected to hold there next week. Some Polish tomatoes are available at slightly lower prices. Quality remains good, although some crops are not performing to previous standards.

Intense Plum Tomatoes

No change — volumes remain limited, with most production tied up in fixed programmes, leaving little for the open market. Quality is good, with increasing production of medium 47–57mm fruit, ideal for sandwich use due to better yield and uniform slices.

Beef Tomatoes

Availability remains tight, with the larger 82–102mm sizes particularly scarce compared to the 72–82mm size. Prices have risen slightly, with no major changes expected next week. The best quality continues to command a premium, while some lower-quality product is available at reduced prices.

Plum Tomatoes

Supply has tightened further. Loose plum tomatoes have doubled in price and remain in very short supply. Plum-on-the-vine prices have also risen, benefiting from the shortage of loose plums. The Netherlands and Belgium are expected to maintain low volumes next week, with prices staying high. Quality is generally good.

Vine Tomatoes

Availability is good, but with shortages in loose round and plum tomatoes, demand for vine tomatoes has increased sharply this week, pushing prices up. The trend is similar in both the Netherlands and Belgium. Quality is consistently good.

Cherry on the Vine & Cocktail Tomatoes

Supply remains stable from the Netherlands and Belgium, with some limited UK-grown volume. Prices are unchanged and expected to remain so next week. Quality is good, with premium varieties showing strong sugar content.

Heritage / Inca Tomatoes

Volumes are expected to drop next week as certain varieties in the mix become less available, pushing prices up. Quality remains high and will not be compromised.

Cherry Tomatoes & Baby Plum Tomatoes

No changes from last week — good supplies continue, supported by new summer crops from Granada, Spain, and steady Moroccan production. Quality is strong across the board.

Celery

UK crops are producing slightly less than in recent weeks, leading to steady price increases. Quality remains good, with excellent product also coming from the Netherlands.

Leeks

Good supplies from the Netherlands and Belgium continue, with remaining imports from Spain and France expected to end later this month. UK production has started and will increase steadily. Quality is excellent from all sources.

Iceberg, Little Gem & Cos Lettuce

Supply remains strong across all lines, with the UK and Netherlands providing excellent iceberg quality. No major changes expected next week, although iceberg prices have risen slightly due to stronger demand and may increase further if the fine weather continues.

Lemons

No change in the tight supply situation. South African Eureka and Argentine lemons remain limited, with some Argentine fruit being diverted to Asia. Class 1 quality remains high but expensive; Class 2 is slightly cheaper but still costly. No changes expected next week.

Stone Fruit

Volumes are slightly lower for some varieties, while others remain stable, holding prices firm. Apricot prices remain high for sweet red varieties, with smaller sizes commanding premiums. White-flesh nectarines are scarcer and have increased in price, particularly the preferred sizes. Peach volumes remain good with stable prices. White-flesh paraguayos are still popular and holding value. Red plums are in short supply and keeping their price. Overall quality is good.

Melons

Good supplies of Galia and cantaloupe from Spain at competitive prices, with France also providing good volumes of cantaloupe. Watermelon supply is set to fall as Spanish production winds down in some areas, while demand remains strong. Greece and Morocco continue to supply steady bin volumes at stable prices. Honeydew supply from Spain is steady but falling, with firm prices expected to continue.

Cherries

Volumes from northern Spain are declining, driving prices up, especially for the best varieties. Quality remains good, though some varieties have a shorter shelf life.

Strawberries

Demand remains strong. UK-grown strawberries of the best quality continue to fetch a premium, although production is easing in some areas. Imports from the Netherlands and Belgium remain slightly cheaper but still good quality. Smaller fruit is starting to show reduced shelf life.