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Disease threat to root crop yield Root vegetables could soon be more expensive and in short supply as wet weather spread disease through crops. Cavity spot disease has hit carrots and parsnips while onions suffered slow growth. The crops go to food processors in Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. Wholesalers are preparing for shortages in the late autumn at harvest time. Producer Simon Pearce from Setchey in Norfolk, said yields were down as costs had risen, so everyone in the industry would lose money. "About 15% of the crop is affected by disease as far as we can see and this will mean shortages," he said. "Also, everybody has to make a living and this includes producers and retailers who have all experienced rises in wage and energy costs as well. "Anyone involved in producing, transporting or distributing these crops will have higher costs and someone will have to pay the extra if the sector is to survive. "It has to be said that this is a tough industry at present and it is made worse when climatic conditions go against us. "We all need a rise in prices whether that be retailers, manufacturers or whatever. "There has to be some kind of inflation of prices and many people are talking about a 20% price increase this year," he said. 11.10.07 |