The UK could face a shortage of pumpkins this Halloween after a summer of heatwaves and droughts have resulted in reduced harvests around the country.
With pumpkin carving being one of the most popular activities at this time of year the shortage is going to have a huge impact.
The shortage is also expected to lead to a rise in the price of pumpkins as demand rises.
Guy and Emily French, who own one of the UK’s leading pumpkin wholesale growers – Foxes Farm Produce in Basildon, Essex – said its harvest of pumpkins was down by a third this year and that they are selling at a higher price due to increased costs.
Speaking to The Mirror Mr French said “The quality of the pumpkin is good – the skin finish is good, they’re a really good orange, but the drought had a knock-on impact on yield. You just haven’t got the volume there.”
He added: “We are selling at a higher price, but the main factor for that is our input costs. We always say to customers – if you think the price of filling up your car with diesel has doubled, think of what it does for a tractor.”
