Brussels sprouts are experiencing a notable change this year, with projections suggesting they will be 25% larger than usual, attributed to favourable growing conditions and the introduction of new varieties.
The expected increase in the size of Brussels sprouts has been confirmed by the supermarket supplier TH Clements. They report an average size of 30mm in diameter for this year’s crop, compared to 24mm in the previous year. This change results from a significant shift in growing conditions, as noted by John Moulding, the commercial director of the Lincolnshire-based grower. “This year we’ve pretty much had a reversal in growing conditions to 2023, with the right amounts of warmth and sunshine during the summer months after they were planted, good amounts of rain during the autumn and now colder weather in December,” Moulding explained.
Sprouts are naturally adaptable to coastal breezes which provide frost protection, another factor contributing to the robust growth this year. In anticipation of the festive demand, TH Clements has reported it will operate up to 16 harvesters, aiming to produce an impressive 192 million sprouts.
This surge in sprout production is timely, as approximately 25% of the UK’s annual sprout consumption occurs in the fortnight leading up to Christmas. Supermarkets predict sales could reach around 1.5 million kilograms in this period, demonstrating the vegetable’s popularity during the festive season.
In tandem with these developments, efforts to make traditional Christmas meals more affordable are underway. However, the focus on larger Brussels sprouts highlights an interesting intersection between agricultural success and consumer accessibility.
The larger Brussels sprouts this year underline the positive impact of climate conditions and innovation in agriculture. As the festive season approaches, these developments are set to both meet and fuel consumer demand, demonstrating the dynamic nature of food production and supply.
