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Growing Conditions UK planting is underway, and conditions are generally good. Statistically, 2025 has been drier and warmer than average, although sunshine has been below what we typically expect. The Met Office’s 3 month outlook is expecting a warm spring, with an average level of precipitation with a slightly higher level of wind than previous years. As is typical in spring, the risk of rain and wind reduces as we move further into the period, and wetter conditions are more likely to be seen across the northwest. Spain This winter brought substantial rainfall and devastating flooding that affected many of our dedicated suppliers, thanks in-part to a slow-moving low-pressure system known as DANA. We extend our gratitude to all our suppliers for their resilience and commitment to maintaining supply during such extreme weather conditions. In early March, Spain faced chilly and wet conditions. These weather issues are impacting fruit colouring, particularly affecting peppers. A combination of adverse weather and decreased pesticide usage is leading to challenges with a pest known as thrips. Trials of new resistant varieties are currently underway, with plans for their introduction next year. Morocco Having a similar geographical location to the Canary Islands, Moroccan yields are low due to less-than-ideal growing conditions and a new virus-resistant variety that isn’t performing as expected. However, long-term forecasts indicate improvements, so we can anticipate better yields by early April onwards. Harvesting of the first Dutch new season crop is set for late March, though volumes are low and prices remain high; this will help supplement the low production from Morocco. The Canaries The Canaries have been affected by heavy rain and flooding, experiencing their first frost in a long time. Temperatures remain cold with daytime highs only reaching 10°C and night time lows dropping to 1°C. This situation is similar to the weather in Morocco, though conditions are expected to improve in the coming weeks. Challenges & Looking Ahead Challenges • Potatoes - The wet harvest conditions for the 2024/25 crop have impacted storage, leading to rots and breakdowns. This has meant that the crop has had to be heavily selected in order to meet customer specifications. Late planting has resulted in potentially lower availability of baking potatoes, causing supply challenges as the season ends. Although initial predictions indicated a need for imports, this has not occurred. Careful crop selection will help manage availability until the new season, despite ongoing challenges. • Shipping has been the main challenge through the start of 2025. Atlantic storms have resulted in vessels arriving at UK ports out of sequence, some ships are missing the UK altogether and diverting to offload in The Netherlands. This creates further delays to arrivals. • Spain has experienced poor weather recently , with rainfall in the first nine days of March exceeding the average for the entire month. The significant rainfall is anticipated to bring an end to the four-year drought in the country. • Peppers from Spain have suffered the most, with poor weather and thrip damage this season. Dutch supply may have to start earlier than planned to maintain supply and quality. In Season • Yorkshire forced rhubarb is underway. • Lancashire spring greens and kales have just restarted after frosts. • For this year’s crop of UK potatoes, some growers in Suffolk and Cornwall are beginning to plant early salad varieties under fleece due to favourable dry conditions. Ground temperatures are not yet ideal for the main crop to be put in the group. A positive weather forecast may improve soil conditions, but seed availability remains a concern due to delivery delays, which might lead to a wider range of varieties being used this season, potentially impacting yields, but it is too early to tell. • UK root crops including carrots, parsnip and swede. Looking Forward • English Heirloom tomato - late May. • Jersey new potatoes are a little pricey but available to pre-order now. • UK asparagus starts early May for approx 6 weeks. FIND OUT MORE. abougtytohue pthaessfiroensahteestg,rUowK-egrrsoawnndpprroodduucceerosnwohuor brin interactive map
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What’s in season At Oliver Kay, we work with trusted growers sourcing the very best seasonal produce from our range of local and international suppliers. The below guide will advise on product availability over the spring months, but due to the nature of fresh produce there are many external factors that impact supply. Please check availability with our team or by using the online ordering before listing a product on your menu. Key - UK Seasonal Best Vegetables Broccoli (Spain & UK) - Spanish supply has been good, with cooler and wetter conditions favouring this crop, with supply taking us through until summer. UK crop is currently being planted and expected late-June. Cabbage (UK) - The quality of Red and White UK cabbage this year is excellent, with a plentiful supply of white cabbage. Red cabbage availability is lower and has a shorter shelf life due to its higher sugar content. To maintain consistent availability and quality, a contingency crop from Spain is anticipated in May and June. Carrot (UK) - Supply of UK crop is currently good and is expected to see us through to the new season with imports only being used for larger sizes. Planting for the new crop has been well underway since early March due to the favourable weather. Cauliflower (UK) - UK quality looks good, head sizes will be to the bottom end of specification initially and will increase as the weather improves into spring. Growers are taking advantage of dry conditions and planting for summer is underway. Onion (Netherlands, UK & Egypt) - Yellow and red onions supply is good from the Netherlands. Late rains in the UK last autumn caused some water damage but crops put into store are expected to be ok into summer. Red onion supply will move to Egyptian mid-April for around 6 weeks as planned. Parsnip (UK) - Quality and supply are good with the expectation that we will move into imported crop from the second week in June. Planting started early due to the good weather conditions experienced in March. Potato (UK) - Crop has had to be heavily selected. Supply of baking potatoes could become difficult as we enter the final stages of the season. Looking ahead to the 2025/26 crop, some growers in Suffolk and Cornwall have taken advantage of the dry conditions and started planting early salad varieties under fleece. It is likely there will be a wider range of varieties used this season. Rhubarb (UK) - Looking forward to UK harvest - no reported issues. Savoy Cabbage (Portugal & UK) - Portuguese will take us through until June when UK crop starts, UK planting is going well. Spring Cabbage & Kale (Spain & UK) - Imports have been required through February and March due to UK frosts. UK started again in third week of March which was helped by an improvement in light levels and recent temperatures. Swede (UK) - Quality overall is good, reduced availability is holding pricing high, more lucrative crops such as cereals and sugar beet are competing for land. Tenderstem® (Spain, Portugal & UK) - Mainly Portuguese and Spanish, quality is good, UK expected late June/July, planting already underway. Did you know? . click here. For seasonal recipe ideas from our development chefs, along with customer dish ideas and provide inspiration on how to use the latest seasonal produce, www.oliverkayproduce.co.uk 01204 385463 @ oliverkayproduce @oliver-kay
