So far this year we have had a wet spring, good summer then some heavy rain at the end of September, all of this has added up to a decent year for growing carrots.
"I feel we have had a really good year, but this could just be since the last couple have been terrible," said Rodger Hobson, carrot grower and Chairman of the British Carrot Grower's Association.
"We have had a heavy frost, but not too much, we had rain but again not too much. I expect that the yield will remain average and after talking to fellow growers, they seem to think the same. We are all seeing a good quality crop."
The yields will be enough to satisfy demand and no one is talking about shortages.
"We store the carrots in the ground and harvest as necessary, I expect to have enough to see me through to June next year, when the south of the country is starting their new 2025 crop."
There is always an increased demand in the run up to Christmas, with the packers doing more than two weeks work within a week to fill the orders and keep the retails shelves stocked.
"Every year we see carrots and other root veg sold at very low prices, this is the perfect loss leader for the retailers. I don't supply retailers, but those who do say it is the supermarkets who take the hit as contracts are agreed on a year-round rate. You can't complain about cheap veg if it means people are buying more and eating better."
For more information:
Rodger Hobson
British Carrot Grower's Association
[email protected]