Tesco is temporarily accepting slightly smaller vegetables to help UK growers struggling after recent storms and flooding.
As a result of the rainfall and poor growing conditions this winter, vegetables such as sprouts, cauliflowers, cabbages and leeks may be smaller in size than usual.
Farmers will still supply Tesco with more of their crop, which avoids them having to sell at lower prices on the open market.
The move will also help the supermarket giant keep British produce on shelves for customers and reduce the risk of shortages.
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Tesco fresh produce and horticulture director Tom Mackintosh said: “By accepting slightly smaller sprouts, cauliflower, cabbages and leeks, we can support the fresh produce industry while ensuring that customers are able to continue to buy British winter vegetables.
“We’re pleased to be able to provide support to our growers, farmers and suppliers who are facing really challenging harvesting conditions.”
Tesco’s technical team worked closely with suppliers to ensure Christmas vegetables were not in short supply, however, the retailer found that sprouts were a particular problem due to their size and the fact that some had been growing underwater due to flooding.
To dry the sprouts, Tesco worked with growers to develop an innovative drying method using cool air blowers to blow the water off them in storage pallets.
