Nationwide Produce reports accelerated onion harvest due to heat

Nationwide Produce reports that the onion harvest in the East of England is running two to three weeks ahead of schedule due to sustained heat. The company grows red and brown onions across Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, and Suffolk, with harvesting having begun on July 6.

To meet growing demand for British onions, the company recently completed a £7 million expansion of its Long Sutton packhouse. The facility, which works closely with Richmond Farms, has increased its size from approximately 40,000 to 75,000 square feet. This investment expanded production lines from three to five and introduced new robotics and machinery. The site currently processes about 1,200 tonnes of onions weekly, producing roughly 650,000 retail packs.

Farm Manager Jason Thurlow noted that while the heat has accelerated development, performance varies by field, with some areas facing pressure due to limited water availability.