Bound4Tassie Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38851097 Due to the bad weather in Spain this winter the crops have failed. Pushes up prices. Made me think about post Brexit. Will veg in winter double in price? Can't imagine the EU doing us any favours pricewise once we're out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newjez Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38851097 Due to the bad weather in Spain this winter the crops have failed. Pushes up prices. Made me think about post Brexit. Will veg in winter double in price? Can't imagine the EU doing us any favours pricewise once we're out. Problems are more likely to involve quality and regulation and country of origin if we are trading externally. Plus the French will want to protect their farmers to stop them driving round Paris in their tractors. Been caught in that more than once - not much fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 I doubt it, it is Spain that is suffering in this not the UK (the only thing that was rationed in my Tesco was iceberg lettuce) & post-Brexit Spain will still want to sell to us. IF there are import taxes then those increases could be passsed on to consumers but then that has to be taken in the context of the UK economy and exchange rates. BTW I voted remain and I have huge concerns but the price of food isn't one of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newjez Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 I doubt it, it is Spain that is suffering in this not the UK (the only thing that was rationed in my Tesco was iceberg lettuce) & post-Brexit Spain will still want to sell to us. IF there are import taxes then those increases could be passsed on to consumers but then that has to be taken in the context of the UK economy and exchange rates. BTW I voted remain and I have huge concerns but the price of food isn't one of them. Although the cost of local produce may go up I guess without immigrant labour to work the land. But I guess we can just buy it from Europe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perthbum Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 The UK can produce its own veg easily, anyone can grow it themselves as it is so easy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 The UK can produce its own veg easily, anyone can grow it themselves as it is so easy As newjez says the problem will be a lack of labour, also the cost of growing in the UK is much greater due to energy costs and for the same reason is much worse for the environment. I used to think 'buying local' was best but in terms of carbon footprint buying tomatoes from the canaries for example is the better option. I honest don't think much will change though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newjez Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 As newjez says the problem will be a lack of labour, also the cost of growing in the UK is much greater due to energy costs and for the same reason is much worse for the environment. I used to think 'buying local' was best but in terms of carbon footprint buying tomatoes from the canaries for example is the better option. I honest don't think much will change though. We did think of getting an allotment once. But it had no water supply, and carting water just seemed too much like hard work. Water is very heavy, on us and on the car. We've grown a few bits in the garden, which are nice, but never in the quantities we would need to feed our family. Although we have friends who are very successful at it. But it is very high cost. It's more for a sense of achievement than practicality. Herbs are a much better thing to grow as they are expensive, and fresh herbs are so much better than dried. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VERYSTORMY Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 As newjez says the problem will be a lack of labour, also the cost of growing in the UK is much greater due to energy costs and for the same reason is much worse for the environment. I used to think 'buying local' was best but in terms of carbon footprint buying tomatoes from the canaries for example is the better option. I honest don't think much will change though. As the person who used to supply a lot of this labour - I supplied about 70 of the labour to the food sector in Norfolk and a few other areas such as Derbyshire, I don't think so. You see, we used to supply the labour, but we were forced out by illegal gang masters. I left the industry when the MD started having to keep a shotgun under his desk and we started getting visits from some pretty nasty characters. Since then, the labour is supplied by gangmasters from Eastern Europe. We used to charge enough that we could make a profit but pay people pretty well to very well. For example, the season work in Turkey farming would be about £25 an hour at today's rates. The gangmasters charge the farms the same as we did, but only pay minimum wage, or often a LOT less. I know for a fact there are people working for £1 an hour and I suspect a number are earning nothing and effectively slaves. The gangmasters are making huge sums of money. It is impossible today for locals to get jobs in this sector even though they want them as the gangs only take from their own nationality groups. There is also a lot of violence between the gangs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bound4Tassie Posted February 3, 2017 Author Share Posted February 3, 2017 I don't understand how this is allowed to go on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bound4Tassie Posted February 3, 2017 Author Share Posted February 3, 2017 The UK can produce its own veg easily, anyone can grow it themselves as it is so easy Not courgettes in winter though? I guess we would have to shop seasonally which isn't a bad thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bound4Tassie Posted February 3, 2017 Author Share Posted February 3, 2017 I doubt it, it is Spain that is suffering in this not the UK (the only thing that was rationed in my Tesco was iceberg lettuce) & post-Brexit Spain will still want to sell to us. IF there are import taxes then those increases could be passsed on to consumers but then that has to be taken in the context of the UK economy and exchange rates. BTW I voted remain and I have huge concerns but the price of food isn't one of them. Well I'm suffering too if I can't get/ afford courgette or iceberg lettuce! It's a middle class disaster! (actually more of a problem for those on lower incomes than the relatively affluent) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beaty Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 Roll out the wonky veg B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VERYSTORMY Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 I don't understand how this is allowed to go on. Neither do I. It is also well reported, both channel 4 and BBC have done investigations on this. I was involved in the BBC one. But not a single thing has changed after them. Though the companies hiring have a lot to answer for. They claim they no nothing, but that is crap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 The UK can produce its own veg easily, anyone can grow it themselves as it is so easy Growing out of season veg isn't always so easy. And as we want fruit and veg of all kinds all year round now someone else grows it. And due to certain recent events, many of those crops have failed, hence the shortage. If you mean people can grow whatever they want in their back gardens or something, yes they can, depending on the time of year, weather and if they want to invest the time, energy and cost, give the garden space over to a beg patch and/or green house and so forth. And many don't want to do this or have no interest or time to. Hence they go shopping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rammygirl Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 People have just got used to buying out of season stuff. In the UK the prices are flatter year round, here they reflect the seasons. When Aus oranges are plentiful they are cheap as chips and delicious, now they are not the imported ones are more expensive and frankly not worth buying as plenty of other local fruits are in season. I find I do buy more seasonally here because of this now as it reminds me what is good. I look forward to oranges coming back in season though and will enjoy them all the more for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perthbum Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 Growing out of season veg isn't always so easy. And as we want fruit and veg of all kinds all year round now someone else grows it. And due to certain recent events, many of those crops have failed, hence the shortage. If you mean people can grow whatever they want in their back gardens or something, yes they can, depending on the time of year, weather and if they want to invest the time, energy and cost, give the garden space over to a beg patch and/or green house and so forth. And many don't want to do this or have no interest or time to. Hence they go shopping. spain has growing seasons as well as the rest of europe...it aint all sun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perthbum Posted February 3, 2017 Share Posted February 3, 2017 only lettuce apparently...think we will survive:biglaugh: bit of an overreaction me thinks..:cute: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 4, 2017 Share Posted February 4, 2017 spain has growing seasons as well as the rest of europe...it aint all sun. Did I say it was? I'd like to discuss the subject but you don't seem to really be doing that so I'll leave it be now, thanks PB. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newjez Posted February 4, 2017 Share Posted February 4, 2017 As the person who used to supply a lot of this labour - I supplied about 70 of the labour to the food sector in Norfolk and a few other areas such as Derbyshire, I don't think so. You see, we used to supply the labour, but we were forced out by illegal gang masters. I left the industry when the MD started having to keep a shotgun under his desk and we started getting visits from some pretty nasty characters. Since then, the labour is supplied by gangmasters from Eastern Europe. We used to charge enough that we could make a profit but pay people pretty well to very well. For example, the season work in Turkey farming would be about £25 an hour at today's rates. The gangmasters charge the farms the same as we did, but only pay minimum wage, or often a LOT less. I know for a fact there are people working for £1 an hour and I suspect a number are earning nothing and effectively slaves. The gangmasters are making huge sums of money. It is impossible today for locals to get jobs in this sector even though they want them as the gangs only take from their own nationality groups. There is also a lot of violence between the gangs. when the gangs take over the cabbages... Remember, he's on your side...Mad verystormy. Apparently lettuces are changing hands for £50 each, surprised the mafia aren't involved! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newjez Posted February 4, 2017 Share Posted February 4, 2017 (edited) Just been to lidl and they have heaps of lettuce. About a pound each. Complete tosh about them being in short supply and going for £50. The papers these days. Love it! http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/02/03/lettuce-black-market-emerges-amid-national-salad-shortage/ Edited February 4, 2017 by newjez Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bound4Tassie Posted February 4, 2017 Author Share Posted February 4, 2017 (edited) I think Lidl and Aldi said their stocks/supply of icebergs lettuce hasn't been affected yet. And I think it was £50 for 12 not each! Lol! Edited February 4, 2017 by Bound4Tassie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newjez Posted February 4, 2017 Share Posted February 4, 2017 I think Lidl and Aldi said their stocks/supply of icebergs lettuce hasn't been affected yet.sugar, I better go and buy ten. Can you freeze them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bound4Tassie Posted February 4, 2017 Author Share Posted February 4, 2017 sugar, I better go and buy ten. Can you freeze them? I don't think lettuce freezes too well but I've never actually tried! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amibovered Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 £1.19 for an iceberg luttuce, that's crazy, you know you're in trouble, when the cost of food item hits half of what it is in Australia. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perthbum Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 £1.19 for an iceberg luttuce, that's crazy, you know you're in trouble, when the cost of food item hits half of what it is in Australia. :cute: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.