Cost of Turf Rolls to Rise in 2024

The Turfgrass Growers Association (TGA) has sounded the alarm on a concerning trend following a tumultuous year of unpredictable and extreme weather conditions across the UK in 2023. Members of the association are reporting that the volatile weather, combined with a slew of other factors, is poised to trigger an uptick in turfgrass prices in 2024.

The past year witnessed a myriad of climatic challenges, from prolonged summer droughts to heavy autumn and winter rainfall. These erratic conditions, intensified by stringent chemical legislation, have given rise to increased pest and disease problems, dealing a blow to turfgrass harvest yields.

The TGA emphasises that the Met Office has underscored the visible effects of global climate change, with risks ranging from water supply threats to localised flooding, altered seasonality, heat stress, and the expanding habitat range of pests. These concerns loom large over the turfgrass industry as predictions of warmer, wetter winters, hotter, drier summers, and more frequent intense weather events add further pressure to turfgrass cultivation.

In addition to the challenges posed by weather fluctuations, the TGA points to several other contributing factors propelling the anticipated price increase. These include the rising costs of fertilisers and fuel, disruptions in the supply chain, and the imperative shift towards more sustainable growing practices.

The turfgrass industry is grappling not only with the capriciousness of the weather but also with economic and environmental pressures. As the sector braces for the impact, stakeholders are urged to stay abreast of developments shaping the turfgrass landscape in 2024.