Spring Crop Report 2026

Market Report

Vegetables

Availability of the Spanish crop has been tight following colder weather conditions; however, supply has been stable.

The crop is currently under straw, so no issues are expected. Recent rainfall has left the land very wet, which is posing some challenges.

Spring UK crop looks to be on time for an April/May harvest. There could be some quality issues to the outer leaves due to the recent rainfall, but it is too early to tell. A warmer spring would help to avoid this.

Currently using Dutch crop for both Yellow & Red. Red onions are expected to run for a few extra weeks before switching to new season Egyptian crop. No availability issues expected.

Recent rainfall has left the land very wet, causing some bruising when it comes to harvesting the crop. However, availability is good.

The crop is now in stores, with some reported issues of chitting and breakdown due to last year’s extremely dry growing conditions. Many growers have used more applications of mint oil than usual to maintain the crop dormancy in stores. Better quality crops with Baker content are becoming harder to find, especially the raw material to pack Baker 40’s. Slow movement in the marketplace pre-Christmas has resulted in an excess of crop available now. However, it is suspected that this will not be the case as we move through the latter end of the season. Looking ahead to the 2026/27 season, there are initial reports of a large drop in land planned for potato planting, with some growers moving more towards growing to contracted volumes, rather than speculatively growing crop. Following the recent wet weather, land is saturated which may cause a delay to the planting season, but it is still too early to tell.

The UK crop looks good and will continue until the end Feb/mid-March before switching to Portuguese supply.

Crop from Spain has been limited but volumes are slowly improving. Quality is good considering the weather conditions. UK crop is currently expected for a May harvest.

Good quality and no availability issues expected. Wet weather is making harvest conditions a challenge.

UK supply has been steady and good quality despite the weather conditions.

Leaf

Spring supply is primarily from imported leaf varieties, with UK glasshouse production contributing to availability later in the season. With weather conditions in Spain and Italy being quite variable, cooler nights and period of intense rainfall, have contributed to slower growing times. This has led to short term fluctuations in availability. However, towards mid spring we should see the situation improve.

Wet and windy conditions have caused gaps in planting outdoor crops, with the weather also impacting both quality and availability.

UK planting should start mid-February, but the land remains quite wet. Drier conditions are needed to ensure there is not a delay to the start of the season.

Berries & Grapes

Crop from Mexico and Guatemala is arriving in good condition with no availability issues.

There have been some delays experienced on crop arriving via sea freight from Chile due to the weather conditions. However, this is not impacting availability. We will be transitioning to Moroccan and Spanish supply from mid-February.

Egyptian and Moroccan crops have faced challenges due to varying weather conditions, which has led to an increase in fruit breakdown. However, this is mostly being managed at grower level.

Supply from Egypt and Morocco have experienced challenging growing conditions this season, impacting both quality and availability, but this is being closely monitored at grower level. There has also been a late start to the Spanish season due to wet and cooler weather during the planting period. Availability of the Spanish crop is due to improve towards the end of February.

Steady supply of fruit no quality issues showing. Rain in the Hex Valley in RSA which may have an impact on some of the fruit but looking ok for now. Supply from RSA and Peru to continue until mid-April, after which we will switch to Indian fruit.

Availability and quality are good from both RSA and Peru with no issues expected. Supply is due to move to Indian fruit from mid-April.

Exotics

Main supply remains from Mexico until the UK season begins in early May. This will run for around six weeks. Quality is currently good.

Supply is mainly from India, with Thailand as a backup. Quality is good.

South African supply is challenging; rainbow carrot is very limited due to water damage and overall quality is only OK.

Moroccan and Egyptian supply continues. Quality is very good with Rwanda in the background as a backup. Our grower is planning a trial this summer with a crop of fine beans, a variety suited to warmer conditions. If successful, we will receive them in July.

Portuguese and Spanish will end in April. South American supply will be phased in as European availability finishes.

All chillies, particularly jalapeños, have been challenging this spring. New jalapeno’s varieties resistant to pest have not performed as expected this spring from Spain causing shortages. Red and green long chillies from Morocco have performed better.

Brazilian supply continues and quality is good. This will take us through to summer.

Availability of Brazilian ginger has been good. We will move into Chinese supply through May until the new season Brazilian crop starts again in mid-Summer. Quality is good. Garlic from Spain is still affected by poor weather; supply is mainly from China and is expected to take us through into summer.

Mainly Brazilian supply, quality is good. Supply has been very challenging due to shipping delays caused by storms but overall supply is good.

Brazilian Palmer supply moved to Tommy Atkins in May. Quality is good.

French supply has tightened up. Late rains last year reduced supply, and ongoing weather problems may affect new season planting.

Main Egyptian supply continues through winter, with very good quality.

As planned, Egypt is now underway. Quality and supply are good, with Guatemalan product running alongside and expected to take over from April. Crop reports are good.

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