As much as 80% of total British sprout sales take place in the two weeks before Christmas and into the new year, although the much-maligned vegetables have been a surprise hit this summer as a popular addition to savoury juices and smoothies and in salads and stir-fries.
The National Farmers’ Union, which monitors supply problems throughout the UK, said there were always weather- and pest-related “challenges” for farmers and growers, and it would work closely with supermarkets and other retailers to ensure a consistent supply.
“This is an incredibly busy period for sprout producers, when the demand increases significantly for a relatively short part of the total growing season” said a spokesman. “It is not unusual for there to be weather- and pest-related challenges, which have the potential to impact on yield but growers and retailers work closely together to ensure that consumers will be able to get sprouts over the festive period.