After having talks with our Local Vegetable Suppliers and our Suppliers in London about the effect the weather is having on the produce and what the outcome will be in 3 months time, we were assured there is no immediate panic as there is an option of foreign produce as well as the English at this time of year.

This week there has not been much improvement on last week. The quality and availability that we demand is still proving very hard to find and prices are high. The weather has also affected Runner Beans more so on quality. New English Sweet-corn has started and we are back on with Jumbo Carrots. Asparagus is still high in price. Marrows and English Courgettes are more plentiful. Cyprus Cara Potatoes are very good this time of year.

The main problem we will encounter will be produce which has been planted recently during the current weather problems. The rain has affected Cauliflower, Cabbage and Broccoli and has also caused a problem with the Carrots that are currently being harvested. The Broad Bean and Pea Crop has been almost destroyed and this will also have a knock on effect on English Sweet Corn and English Runner Beans.

We were informed that there does not seem to be a problem with any of the potato crop at the moment but if we find out more we will keep you updated.

Salad

There is nothing new to report on the Salad, however Red Chicory is short and high in price.

Fruit

English Plums and White Italian Grapes have both now started, French Plums are due in any time now. We are currently using U.S.A Cherries which are high in price but very good in quality.

Green Gooseberries are nearly finished now, but we can get Red Gooseberries to order if they are needed. Red Apples are short and we have had to drop a size in fruit to keep up the quality. Apricots have become short for the time being, and Peaches are not standing up very well this year, they are ripening very fast.

The weather has also ruined some of the soft fruit crop (i.e. English Raspberries, Redcurrants, and Cherries etc).

Exotics

We have nothing to report on the Exotics this week.