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2 clusters · 2 sources · 30 days · First seen · Last updated

UK pumpkin crop devastation from drought

Overview

Pumpkin farmers across England and Wales are experiencing catastrophic harvest losses due to extreme weather, including heatwaves and prolonged drought.

In late September, growers reported severe declines in production. In Suffolk, one farmer noted a drop from 10,000 pumpkins to just 25, while others in Kent and elsewhere announced they would not open for the season at all.

By late October, reports indicated that harvest losses reached between 50 and 60 percent. The lack of water has resulted in smaller pumpkins, impacting seasonal availability for Halloween. Producers noted that without irrigation, it is difficult to grow crops to an acceptable size. This water scarcity, linked to rising temperatures and the hottest summer recorded since 1884, has also affected potato and grain crops in the region.

Entities

Sarah Foster · Andrew King · Leeds · United Kingdom · Brookleigh Farm

Timeline

  1. [INTERNATIONAL] 2 sources
    UK pumpkin harvests decline due to drought

    Drought conditions in the UK have caused pumpkin harvests to drop by up to 60 percent, leading to smaller crops and shortages ahead of Halloween.

  2. [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    UK pumpkin farmers face crop devastation from drought

    Extreme heatwaves and drought in the UK have devastated pumpkin crops, forcing many farmers to cancel seasonal pick-your-own events due to massive yield losses.

Sources

augsburger-allgemeine.de · whoradio.com