Speaking at the launch of the Irish horticulture retail charter, Robert Malone, retail executive with the IFA, outlined that vegetable growers are experiencing reduced yields and increased costs due to the recent drought.

“Potatoes are going to be very badly affected, with reports of up to a 35% to 40% reduction in yield of potatoes - one of our biggest horticulture crops. It’s massively affecting everybody. People that have irrigation equipment, it’s there it’s ok, but it costs about €100 per acre for every pass of irrigation.

“Crops like broccoli have to be irrigated six or seven times, that’s a huge financial hit that they have to get back from somewhere. Thankfully, the charter sets out fundamentals for that engagement on those extra costs, that they could be recouped back from the marketplace,” says Robert.

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Working together with retailers

The charter is an "important step" in recognising the challenges that growers face and the role that retailers play in dealing with their commercial arrangements with growers.

“To rectify them in financial compensation for produce and supporting growers to sustainably operate and invest in their future which has been lacking in the last ten years or so. Retailers want supply, they don’t want empty shelves, they want supply. Consumers want Irish produce when it’s in season and growers want to be able to make a living out of it. So, it’s all about that relationship that works for everyone,” he adds.

This will help retailers and growers build better, longer-standing relationships and look for longer supply contracts according to Orla McManus, chairperson of the Horticultural Industry Forum (HIF) who was also at the launch.

“Growers can commit to investment and innovation and know that they have a stable future which in turn helps Ireland make sure we maintain our growers and keep them viable, so instead of handing off our food security to other countries, that we will actually grow it here ourselves and be even more independent food producers,” says Orla.

Watch the video from the launch here: