STRAWBERRY PRODUCTION SYSTEMS. Comparing the business case for table top and ground production systems

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1 Comparing the business case for table top and ground production systems Publication Date: July 2018 Project code: SCC

2 About WRAP WRAP is not-for-profit, working with governments, businesses and citizens to create a world in which we use resources sustainably. Our experts generate the evidence-based solutions we need to protect the environment, build stronger economies and support more sustainable societies. Our impact spans the entire life-cycle of the food we eat, the clothes we wear and the products we buy, from production to consumption and beyond. Written by: Richard Sheane (3Keel) & Will McManus (WRAP) Disclaimer: While we have taken reasonable steps to ensure this report is accurate, WRAP does not accept liability for any loss, damage, cost or expense incurred or arising from reliance on this report. Readers are responsible for assessing the accuracy and conclusions of the content of this report. Quotations and case studies have been drawn from the public domain, with permissions sought where practicable. This report does not represent endorsement of the examples used and has not been endorsed by the organisations and individuals featured within it. This material is subject to copyright. You can copy it free of charge and may use excerpts from it provided they are not used in a misleading context and you must identify the source of the material and acknowledge WRAP s copyright. You must not use this report or material from it to endorse or suggest WRAP has endorsed a commercial product or service. For more details please see WRAP s terms and conditions on our website at

3 tonnes/acre STRAWBERRY PRODUCTION SYSTEMS 01 A collaboration of five growers supplying Asda-IPL and Co-op Food have examined the environmental and business benefits of moving from ground to table-top production systems. Through field work and a series of meetings, the group identified potential benefits to crop yields, reductions in waste levels and labour costs. The group also concluded that table top systems aren t a silver bullet : the optimal mix for any grower or grower group will be determined by market, location and business considerations. This fact sheet summarises the key findings of the demonstration project and is intended to help growers weigh-up the pros and cons of changing production systems. 1.0 Impact on marketable yield Two growers used a single strawberry variety on both table top and ground production systems during 2017, offering a good comparison of the two production systems. Both growers achieved higher total yields and marketable yields on table top systems, as well as lower waste rates (see Figure 1 below). Given the small number of farms involved the results are not presented as scientific data, although they have been thoroughly reviewed by the industry group. Figure 1: A comparison of table top and ground production for Farms A and B Total waste Class II Class I Table top keeps our costs low and our pickers happy, which is a clear benefit with the current risks to labour supply. We also keep our production close to chilling and packing facilities which delivers cost savings and better quality 0.0 Sonata Sonata Elsanta A+ Elsanta A+ Table top Ground Table top Ground Farm A Farm A Farm B Farm B Tim Stockwell, Grower

4 Labour costs Labour is a significant cost for the fruit sector, and with uncertainty over the availability of labour, it remains a major concern for growers. On Farms A and B, labour costs were found to be 9% and 26% lower per kg of sold product when produced in table top polytunnels. This finding matched the experiences of businesses in the wider project group. 3.0 Infrastructure costs A switch to table top systems involves investment in new equipment and uncertainty about costs can be a barrier to change. The key additional costs of table top are summarised in Table 1 below. These costs can be used by growers to understand the capital investment required for table top. Table 1: Additional costs associated with installing and running table top systems Item /metre Notes Table top (incl. installation) Irrigation (only field equipment) Grow bags Costs varied depending on the sophistication of the table top and whether it was second-hand/ DIY. This shows that costs can be managed and the payback period reduced significantly. Whilst both soil and table top systems need irrigation, the systems are different. Ground (tape) systems need to be replaced with each new crop in the rotation. Good quality bags will last 2 years without any additional disease risk. Some ground production may use bags too, but it is also relevant to consider the avoided cost of relocating polytunnels. 4.0 Broader considerations affecting the choice of production system The grower group identified five aspects of strawberry growing that can be impacted by the choice of production system (see Table 2 below). These factors need to be considered when making investment decisions and planning future cropping systems. We re blessed with deep sandy loam soils which are ideal for growing strawberries, and we have enough acres to manage the rotation. So investing in table top just isn t for us Andrew Cranston, Grower

5 03 Table 2: Production aspects affected by choice of strawberry growing system Consideration System with advantage Irrigation Ground systems & water use Description Growers agreed that table top systems need more precise irrigation as there is less room for error.; If ground production is in the soil, they will benefit from the natural buffer that the ground provides. Fruit damage Table top In table top systems, fruit is lifted clear of the ground and is less likely to be damaged by contact with soil or extreme weather events (e.g. puddling near the outer edge of tunnels). Ease of picking Length of growing season Rotation & location Table top Ground Table top Picking fruit from table top systems is considered by many to be easier than from the ground. With concerns over labour availability and costs, working on farms with table top systems could be more attractive. Ground production benefits from the heat naturally stored in the soil. This means that cropping can start earlier or end later, and offers potential marketing benefits. As table top systems use grow bags, there is no need to move production as part of a rotation. Production can also be placed on low grade land and closer to storage/packing/distribution facilities. 5.0 Project background This project builds on previous research into strawberry crop waste in the United Kingdom. The project was instigated by the Fresh Produce Working Group of Courtauld 2025 a food industry initiative that aims to reduce food waste, greenhouse gas emissions and the impacts of water use in UK food supply chains. The project was only possible thanks to the support and input of five English and Scottish growers. In total, production data and waste data were collected for 64 acres of production and seven different strawberry varieties.

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