UK lettuce growers could lose around 30 million heads due to an aphid outbreak, representing losses of £10 million (US$13.5 million), the BBC reported, citing the British Leafy Salads Association (BLSA).
The BLSA estimates that up to 30 per cent of the UK lettuce crop between now and the end of October could be affected. Farms in the Midlands, East Anglia, southeast, south, and northwest England have reported problems.
Warm and dry weather has contributed to aphid pressure. BLSA spokesman Dieter Lloyd said aphid populations increase in June and again during August and September. A mild winter may also have affected population levels.
"What we're talking about here is the loss of the crop over the course of the last couple of weeks and the couple of weeks ahead."
UK growers harvest around half a billion heads of lettuce over the course of the season. Domestic supply normally dominates the market during summer and early autumn before imports increase later in the year.
The outbreak is expected to bring that transition forward, with imported lettuce likely to reach UK retail shelves a couple of weeks earlier than usual.
The National Farmers' Union said it is supporting work by grower groups, plant breeders, and researchers as growers respond to the aphid pressure.
Source - https://www.freshplaza.com
