The carrot market has crashed this spring, as good growing conditions and a larger planted area has put supply ahead of demand.

The Scottish Farmer understands that unwashed carrots are being traded for as low as £70 per tonne, which is less than half the price growers need to break even. The poor prices in the veg sector are in sharp contrast to rising returns for dairy, meat and cereals. As a result the sector is likely to reduce the area of plantings this year, which could see increased imports in coming months.

Martin Strickson of Elson seeds said: “I would think at this stage it is almost certain there will be reduction in area across all of the UK.”

The Covid pandemic and increased numbers of people working from home drove carrot sales as more soups and stews were cooked, which in turn prompted plantings to rise by 20% to 25% last year. This was followed by excellent growing conditions through 2021 leaving bumper crops across the UK and Europe. There was also reduced reporting of aphids and disease, which further increased the amount of carrots coming onto the market.

The growing costs of carrots are similar to potatoes at £5500/acre, with a typical field aiming to yield around 90t/acre. As a result most farmers need at least £140/t for cleaned carrots to break even.

Read more: Scottish carrot growers spring to the rescue?

The UK is almost entirely self sufficient in carrot production, with significant volumes of exports only happening when there is a shortage in the EU or oversupply in the UK. Retailers are selling carrots for 40p/kg which represents such a low price that if the price was to fall further on the shelves it would not necessarily drive sales.

Some in the industry believe the sector is a victim of its own success, as production of high volumes of vegetables for such a low price can be undervalued by customers. At current prices, shoppers can make ten portions of carrot soup with 40p of carrots which is 4p per bowl, a sharp contrast to more expensive foods on the shelves.