grower

Ms Twigg added that some Dutch growers had reduced production because of the rising cost of energy across Europe - and some, she said, had folded altogether.

The high price of fuel and power cuts meant water pumps were out of reach, and many growers were already burdened with debt.

After dominating the U.S. for decades, California avocado farmers have been lapped by Mexican growers offering cheaper fruit.

Broccoli growers are particularly struggling with a lack of water and bone-dry soils, with yields cut by more than 50%, quality affected and shoppers warned to expect smaller vegetables on the shelves.

Imagine a network linking growers, regulators and emergency crews to the same pulse of information — turning a slow, reactive system that documents tragedies into one that can act quickly and prevent many of them.