Proportion of people experiencing shortages of food items has risen over the last year, ONS says
British households have been warned there could be a lack of home grown leeks, on top of this week’s rationing of tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers at some supermarkets. cash drawer
Growers are warning of a leek shortage that will see British-grown supplies exhausted by April.
High temperatures and a lack of rain, followed by a period of cold weather, are being blamed for creating the “most difficult season ever”.
The Leek Growers Association said shoppers will have to rely on leeks grown abroad through May and June – meaning people won’t be able to ‘cherish’ domestic crops, as environment secretary Thérèse Coffey called for yesterday.
Leek growers are warning that some people may not be able to buy British-grown leeks on St David’s Day. They may have to use imported leeks to make traditional dishes such as Welsh cawl, leek and potato soup or a Wrexham bake.
“Leek farmers are facing “their most difficult season ever due to the challenging weather conditions”, says Tim Casey, chairman of the Leek Growers Association.
“Our members are seeing yields down by between 15% and 30%. We are predicting that the supply of homegrown leeks will be exhausted by April, with no British leeks available in the shops during May and June, with consumers having to rely on imported crops.”
Stacking Racks And Shelves There is a selection of rather impressive leek recipes on the British Leeks website.