Vegetables.

[Sunshineyday]

I grow veg for my local town & market.Smaller scale,diverse crops.With the current explosion in all inputs,fert,diesel, packaging,bags,sundries,labour, how can I justify and pass on the incredible increases and still make a profit... I fear folk will just not bother to purchase,unless 'well heeled'.I try to explain to gen public the impending cost spiral situation but think most are oblivious, blinkered & unaware...
Veg has been too cheap for too long,I feel.
Trying to remain positive and was looking forward the season when fert was £650p/t ++ but everything has all gone cockahoop.
Is it all worth the effort...?
Go all in or cut right back...?
or maybe have a sabbatical...?
Disillusioned.
Thoughts please.

 

[Muddyroads]

We do organic veg on a similar scale to you by the sound of things and have been having similar thoughts as to what to do. Even if things in Ukraine resolve fairly quickly (which seems unlikely) it’s going to be a while before things settle down. What impact this will have is difficult to predict but at the very least, people may well have to get used to more seasonal produce at higher prices. We’re going to do the season as planned and hope for the best!

 

[Kidds]

If your fertiliser price has about doubled from £650 to £1200 per ton it amounts to an increased cost of £100 per acre assuming you use about 3 cwt an acre.
Doesn't amount to a great deal where veg are concerned in the grand scale of things, what would it be, about 20 boxes of cabbage at most. I would think labour costs would be more of a worry.
I'd say as above, crack on and hope for the best, I see a food shortage coming and you may well be quids in. Been saying that since the late 70's though, but that just means it is closer.
I would be getting my packaging secured as well as chems if you use them while you can.