SuperValu aids vegetable growers hit by costly heat wave
Farmers and the government have praised SuperValu for putting financial supports in place for growers of their vegetables, to offset their increased heat wave costs.
Growers of broccoli, cabbages, cauliflower, celery, lettuce, kale, parsnips, leeks, carrots, scallions and swedes will benefit from the scheme, with all costs covered by SuperValu.
SuperValu Managing Director Martin Kelleher said, “We are very mindful of the recent heat wave and the enormous impact that it has had on the Irish farming community and potential threat to supply of Irish vegetables for consumers.
“When shoppers come to SuperValu, they are looking for the best in Irish food, so it’s vital for us to ensure that we have top quality produce available.
“Given our status as the number one supporter of the Irish agrifood industry, we recognise we have a responsibility to our suppliers.
“Following discussions with the IFA, we have agreed to step in and put financial supports in place for our growers of key crops which will help to offset the toll on the Irish farming community.”
IFA President Joe Healy welcomed the SuperValu statement confirming financial support for their existing growers of field vegetables.
He said, “We contacted retailers to highlight that, without their intervention, Irish field vegetable growers were at financial breaking point.
“We acknowledge the lead taken by SuperValu in coming out publicly and stepping up to the mark to put financial supports in place to provide vital relief to their growers.”
He said growers have gone to extraordinary lengths to maintain a supply of quality Irish produce to Irish consumers.
However, even growers with the best irrigation equipment and full access to water have been unable to deal with the severe soil moisture deficits.
Growers have run up massive extra costs and still are reporting reductions in yield from 20% up to the loss of entire crops, which either failed to germinate or perished in the harsh conditions.
The IFA President reported that some other retailers had moved to support growers, and he called on all retailers to act without delay by increasing grower returns across the board on all Irish vegetable lines.
‘Irish growers are operating on very tight margins, which leave no scope to absorb a crisis like this, and without substantial support from retailers, 2018 will push many of our growers over the edge,” Mr Healy warned.
Agriculture Minister Michael Creed and Minister of State Andrew Doyle also welcomed the announcement by SuperValu.
Minister Doyle, who has responsibility for horticulture, said: “I strongly welcome this initiative by SuperValu to support Irish growers, and would encourage other retailers to follow this example.
“Irish consumers can also play their part, by buying and eating more vegetables carrying the Bord Bia Quality Mark, as part of a balanced healthy diet.”
Minister Creed announced that Bord Bia will roll-out business mentoring and ‘lean’ business learning to businesses in the horticulture sector, to help them maximise efficiency.
