UK onion crop nearly halved by weather

Growers have seen their yields down by 40 per cent following a year of extreme weather fluctuations

The British onion crop has taken a 40 per cent hit after harvesting this autumn has revealed the full

effect of this year’s nightmare weather conditions.

The cold spring which saw the "Beast from the East" give way to one of Britain’s driest and hottest summers, has

drastically reduced yield for farmers across the UK.

According to the British Onion Producers Association (BOPA), the onions will also be smaller, with several retailers

reducing their size specifications to help growers offload their crop.

With the rest of Europe suffering similar conditions and shortages, UK supermarkets may be forced to look to the

southern hemisphere to keep their shelves stocked.

Speaking after a BOPA meeting, chairman Tim Elcombe said: “UK onion production has been severely affected by the

adverse weather conditions in 2018. The ‘Beast from the East’ caused havoc with plantings and drillings in the spring

resulting in many crops being planted up to six weeks late. “The prolonged hot and dry period over the summer then

put onion crops under extreme stress and adversely impacted the growing potential. Despite British growers’ best 

efforts to minimise the impact through round the clock irrigation, the onion crop has been severely affected.”