Pumpkin Picking Craze: A Halloween money-spinner for farmers in Wales
Vale of Glamorgan, a frenzy of pumpkin picking has emerged as a lucrative Halloween tradition, all thanks to the power of social media. With an astonishing 100,000 pumpkins cultivated in the region, at least five farms are now offering an exciting «pick-your-own» experience. The pumpkin-picking phenomenon isn't just about carving jack-o'-lanterns; it's also a booming business, with some farmers claiming to earn up to £30,000 per acre by embracing this seasonal trend.
One of the farmers, Phil Handley, who runs the Mostyn Kitchen Garden, expressed his enthusiasm for this profitable venture: «It's a great earner and always very lucrative.
You can plant 5,000 pumpkins an acre. A pumpkin in a supermarket might be a couple of quid, but people will pay more for the outdoor experience and have some fun and pick pumpkins. So our pumpkins are between £2 to £10.
If you take an average price of £5, that's £25,000 an acre.» Including refreshments, the figure could easily top £30,000.
«Pick-your-own is back in fashion, from flowers to fruit and veg,» Mr. Handley said. «It used to be big in the '80s, and now it's back and more popular than ever because of social media.»
Forage Farm, located on the Penllyn Estate in the Vale of Glamorgan, is in its third year of offering pumpkin picking, and business is thriving.
Managing partner Matt Homfray reported a 40% increase in ticket sales, with expectations of welcoming around 4,000 visitors over the weekend.
Mr. Homfray attributes this growing popularity to the influence of social media, but he also highlights the loyalty of returning customers. Forage Farm boasts more than 10,000 pumpkins with a stunning variety of 20 different types.
He further added, «It can be a lucrative crop for
