Major losses caused by drought could see onion yields 25% down this year due to extreme heat and lack of rain.
Despite significant investment in infrastructure, water shortages and restrictions have prevented some growers from irrigating at key stages. As a result, crops have matured exceptionally early – some finishing a month ahead of normal.
Around 90% of the British onion crop is grown in East Anglia, where the Met Office reported just 2mm of rainfall for the whole of July – approximately 96% below average. This has reduced plant populations, bulb size and marketable yields.
More support
The British Onion Producers’ Association (BOPA) said more needs to be done to support growers investing in irrigation and water storage, particularly in key food-producing areas such as East Anglia.
“This is the most challenging season ever encountered by the British onion industry,” said BOPA chairman Ben Collins. “Prolonged drought, extreme heat and limited water availability has put this year’s crop under extreme pressure. Yield and bulb size will be a challenge this season, while the extreme growing conditions are also creating significant concerns around quality.”
Heat stress has increased the risk of fusarium or base rot. This means quality is expected to be a major issue this season – on top of huge yield losses and a much smaller crop in terms of bulb size.
Similar conditions across Europe are also affecting production, with yields in key regions also forecast to be down. Supplies will be tighter, sizes smaller, quality reduced and the crop substantially earlier and shorter in supply than normal.