Pumpkins for Hallowe’en are rotting, say farmers

PUMPKINS are rotting in the fields and could be in short supply for Hallowe’en, amid a “very serious” situation for British vegetables, the National Farmers’ Union has warned.

Tom Bradshaw, the NFU vice-president, said the labour shortage meant harvests of the seasonal squash are not being completed on time.

He said that the roughly 25 per cent vacancy rate in the agricultural sector had coincided with inflationary pressures, such as a doubling of the price of fertiliser, to create a “perfect storm” for arable farmers.

The situation could also mean a shortage of tomatoes in the run-up to Christmas. Consumers have already been warned about potential difficulties sourcing turkeys.

UK households typically buy around 17 million pumpkins for Hallowe’en each year, spending about £30million in total. Most sales take place in the 10 days before the holiday, which takes place a fortnight today.

Farmers calculate the labour shortage has worsened since August, when it was 23 per cent. This, combined with increased costs of operating farms, has meant that fewer crops have been put down in the first place this year.

Mr Bradshaw said there is enough food on British farms to keep the nation fed in the run-up to Christmas, but that lack of staff to harvest it could create shortages. He added: “The situation for vegetables is really, really serious. It’s leading to food not being picked.”

Mr Bradshaw warned the current labour shortage could permanently damage British farming. “My real worry is that we will lose productive capacity in British farming and that it will move elsewhere.”