As the UK harvest season winds down, many farmers are facing the financial strain of another challenging year. Lower yields, unpredictably dry weather, and rising costs have all combined to put further pressure on already struggling farm incomes. But what impact does this have on their waste produce, and how might we be able to create more commercially viable outcomes?
Smaller harvests, less waste?
Farmers across the UK anticipated, and are now reporting, some of the lowest yields on record. This follows the warmest spring ever and the driest spring for 50 years. With low yields, logic would suggest that waste produce should also be at a low, with excess produce simply not being a problem in such challenging conditions.
However, this may not be true when we consider the onward distribution, the demands of retailers and consumers and the economic impact of supply and demand. Where supply is low, prices inevitably rise – and if consumers or retailers are unwilling to pay the extra then this may generate unexpected surplus.
Quality, not just quantity.
For too many, the unseasonal weather has meant not only smaller harvests but also wasted produce—crops that can’t be sold, don’t meet spec, or simply don’t make it to market in time.
And while wasted produce is disappointing enough, the costs of handling it can add additional financial pressures. Traditionally, the only option has been to load it up and send it to commercial waste processors, incurring haulage and disposal costs that add insult to injury.
A better way?
But there’s good news: wasted produce doesn’t have to mean wasted money. With the right approach, what was once a costly problem can become a source of revenue.
If waste can be depackaged and separated on-site, the waste can become a revenue stream as opposed to a financial burden. That’s why we’re working not just with big commercial waste handlers, but also creating machinery that is sufficiently compact and affordable to operate at source.
There’s opportunity in waste produce
Instead of waste being a drain on cash flow, depackaging systems allow farms to transform it into a usable resource—right there on-site. Depackaging and separating on site means farmers, or other food producers, can:
- Sell pure organics for Anaerobic Digestion (AD)
Depackaged food waste is highly sought after by AD plants, where it’s converted into renewable energy. What would have cost you to dispose of can now be sold as a valuable resource. - Create and/or supply animal feed
In many cases, depackaged produce can be repurposed for animal nutrition, creating a secondary market for crops that couldn’t be sold fresh – or feed the farm’s own livestock, where farmed. - Reduce their vulnerability to risk
Farms are vulnerable, risk-based businesses. Some are turning to growing less risky crops, but risk can also be reduced by turning by commercialising waste when it happens.
Small steps to a more resilient future
This year’s harvest has reminded us all how unpredictable farming can be and there is lots to be done politically environmentally and economically to support our farmers.
Of course, tackling waste produce will not solve the problem, but it’s a part of the puzzle we’re keen to support with. Wasted produce doesn’t have to mean wasted money, and by depackaging on-site, perhaps we can find new value in what would otherwise be a loss.
We hope to play a small part in making farms more resilient to such challenging and uncertain times.
Interested in learning how on-site depackaging could work for your farm? Please get in touch.