A shortage of pickers and drivers has resulted in 320 thousand pounds of losses at Thanet Earth, a British company. In three weeks, greenhouses have rotted vegetables worth an astronomical amount, reports AgroXXI with reference to Hortidaily.com.
In 2009, Thanet Earth began producing cucumbers, tomatoes, and peppers. As of now, the company operates six greenhouses and plans to build a seventh. The company has a turnover in excess of 107 million pounds sterling a year. Over 800 workers are needed, but Brexit and covid are causing a labor shortage in the UK.
According to Chris Butler, managing director of Thanet Earth, the products were repurposed or composted:
“These losses are due to our year-round crop having seasonal production peaks. During peak hours, additional workers are required to enable us to pick and pack tomatoes, and it is this seasonal workforce that is most needed at the moment. The current shortage of truck drivers also affects our ability to deliver packaged product to retail distribution centers on time. The tomato crop was redistributed through local charities and the FareShare network, or it was used to produce compost. ”
