Crop Report

With the British season arriving, baby watercress is at its best—peppery, vibrant and incredibly versatile. It’s ideal for salads, garnishes and light cooking. Our chefs particularly enjoy pairing it with citrus, avocado or soft, creamy cheeses to create simple but elegant dishes. A great moment to bring this seasonal favourite back onto menus.

Progress towards full UK supply has been slower than hoped, with cold nights in Kent slowing crop development. We expect to reach around 80% British by the end of this week, moving to 100% the following week as the warmer weather accelerates growth.

Severe storms and flooding across multiple South African growing regions are disrupting access to orchards, with the Government declaring a state of natural disaster. Damaged infrastructure and impassable roads are compounding the issue. High winds at Cape Town port are also causing shipping delays.

The greatest pressure is expected on easy peelers and lemons in around three weeks. However, with product already in store and additional fruit sourced from less affected regions, we are not forecasting a significant impact on our availability. Smaller fruit sizes are likely to remain limited for longer, as the wet weather means that the crop will trend larger this season.

Supply is currently split between stored UK crop and imports, both of which are showing quality challenges. Heads are needing to be stripped back more heavily, reducing final weight; a concession remains in place to manage this. Availability is expected to stay tight until the new UK season begins at the end of the month.

Cool overnight temperatures are also affecting blackberry production. British supply currently sits at roughly 90%, with the balance made up of imports. We anticipate a fully British position from next week.

Volumes are healthy, which means that we’re not anticipating shortages. However, quality continues to be inconsistent, and this is creating a delicate situation. The wider market is challenging, so we’re working closely with growers to secure the most reliable fruit and maintain continuity.

We expect the first new season British sweetheart cabbage to arrive shortly, bringing improved consistency and easing pressure on supply.

Italian kiwis are expected to finish during May, ahead of the new Chilean season starting in early June. Controlled storage stocks and contingency plans are in place to ensure a smooth handover.

As the season winds down, we’re seeing isolated quality issues such as yellowing. We’re working with growers to minimise any effect on customers.