Sprout shortage threatens Christmas dinners

Bad weather has hit the sprout harvest

Sprouts could be missing from traditional Christmas dinners this year, as farmers warn of a looming national shortage.

Growers say water-logged fields and high winds have left them struggling to harvest enough of the crop to satisfy the nation's appetite.

The vegetable - which is loved and loathed in equal measures - is also under threat from an in increase in disease and the number of slugs.

Roger Welberry, president of the British Sprout Growers' Association, said: "We're going to have to work from dusk to dawn to get enough harvested.

"When people see that little old sprout on their plates this Christmas we want them to think about what we did to get it there."

Blew over

Many sprout farmers have had to abandon their mechanical harvesters and hire extra hand-pickers instead.

Sprouts are not just for Christmas, they're for life

Roger Welberry

Mr Welberry said it was impossible to use machinery on fields left unusually water-logged by heavy rains.

The problem was made even worse when high winds arrived and blew over plants whose sodden roots could no longer support them.

"The sprouts instead of being straight up are flopped all over the place," Mr Welberry said.

It is likely to double the cost of production, but growers will be unable to recoup the money as prices have already been agreed with retailers.

Taste awful

As the festive season draws close the British Sprout Grower's Association also tried to win over those who failed to appreciate the qualities of their crop.

Gloucester farmer Will Haynes said he is fed up with hearing that Brussels sprouts taste awful and everyone hates them.

His tip is to cook them for four minutes and challenge any chef who plans to boil them until they turn mushy.

Mr Welberry emphasised the vegetable's health-promoting qualities, claiming: "Sprouts are not just for Christmas, they're for life."