Broccoli lovers are finding it harder than usual to buy Tenderstem as heavy rain in Kenya and weather problems in the UK cause a shortfall in supply of up to 40%.

At this time of year, Kenya is the main supplier of Tenderstem - a branded long-stem broccoli marketed as more tender than standard broccoli. However, in recent weeks, the crop has been affected by heavy rain and hail.

“This terrible weather has meant that many hectares of Tenderstem in Kenya could not be harvested because they were too badly damaged,” said Andy Macdonald, MD of Coregeo, which holds the licence for marketing Tenderstem in the UK. As a result, supply was between 30% and 40% below current demand, he added.

Kenyan supply is being supplemented by Tenderstem from Spain, but this is currently available only in limited quantities. The UK crop is typically ready at the end of May, but is running about 10 days late this year because of the recent cold weather.

Some of the mults have been affected by the lack of supply, but Morrisons said it was hopeful the situation would improve soon.

“These issues are beginning to subside now and will be eased further by the start of the Jordanian growing season and the UK growing season in June,” a spokesman said.

The lack of supply has been exacerbated by rocketing demand for the veg. Volume sales in the UK were up 40% in the first quarter of this year compared with the same period last year. This follows a 25% increase year-on-year in 2012.

All retailers had received some Tenderstem, but not enough to meet the additional demand this year, added Macdonald. “Where there were shortages, I would think that asparagus and/or purple sprouting broccoli would have seen an increase.”

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