Poor Weather Affects Fruit and Vegetables Market
The poor weather of recent years (mild but wet winters and spring) have reduced output and increased prices of fresh vegetables in the UK. The number of vegetable growers is falling. In contrast, the fruit market depends heavily on imports, and many cheaper imports have helped to limit price increases in this sector. Bananas and apples are the most popular fruits with consumers – the pre-packed banana market is a strong growth area. The long-term trend shows a decline in per capita consumption of fresh vegetables, but an increase in per capita consumption of fresh fruit. This trend will continue over the next few years.
