Fresh produce crops

Key words fresh produce, field-grown, vegetables, soft fruit. 

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There have been major technological advances and changes in the fresh produce sector that have affected how Suit and vegetables are grown in the UK. Many large farms now specialise in a small range of fresh produce crops, growing produce both in the UK and abroad to supply multiple retailers for 12 months of... 

The UK is not self-sufficient in fresh produce. The proportion of crops marketed in the UK has generally decUned in recent years due to increased imports and in 2011 UK-produced crops accormted for 58% of vegetables and only 12% of fruit marketed in the UK (Table 17.1). Fresh produce crops are high value and UK fresh produce production is similar in value to the UK wheat crop. Defra produces a sirmmary of basic horticultural statistics each year where the area, volume and value of the main crops are summarised. 

A major challenge for growers of some fresh produce crops such as leafy salads or soft fruit is that they may be consumed fresh without being cooked. Arty microbial contamination on the crop at harvest may be eaten by a consumer and there have been cases of food-borne illness linked to contaminated fresh produce crops arotmd the world. The only way to prevent this happening is to preverrt the corrtamination of the crop. The main risks to the crop come from the use of manttres as soil conditioners, contamination by livestock or wild animal manure, contaminated water sources, and eqnipment and worker hygiene. Growers are required by many customers to follow strict standards of prodnction to reduce the risks of corrtamination. The most widely followed scheme in the UK is the Red Tractor Fresh Produce Scheme which has general standards for all crops and specific crop protocols. 

Many fresh produce crops are classified as minor or specialist crops. The recent harmonisation of EU pesticide registration has led to the revoking of approval for... 

Dr Jim Monaghan, Principal Lecturer, Harper Adams University, UK (author of Chapter 17 Fresh produce crops). 

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