An EU ruling has allowed exotic baobab fruit from Africa to be sold in the UK for the first time, The Telegraph has reported.

The coconut-like fruit contains six times the vitamin C content of an orange, and also has twice as much calcium as milk and a high level of antioxidants, iron and potassium.

Legislation preventing the imports of food not commonly consumed in the EU before 1997 had prevented the sale of baobab.

But the fruit won approval following campaigning from PhytoTrade Africa, which promotes fair trade. It will not be available as a whole fruit, but in cereal bars and smoothies.

PhytoTrade Africa chief executive Gus Le Breton said: “The EU decision is a crucial step to developing the global market, which could be worth up to £500 million a year.

“Baobab is an ideal ingredient for smoothies and cereal bars, and its well documented nutritional benefits provide manufacturers with a new opportunity to target the booming market in healthy foods.

“Dozens of companies have shown interest in baobab since we submitted the application, and many have already conducted initial research. Now that approval has been given, they can progress to full-scale product development,” he added.

In Africa the baobab - also known as the upside-down tree - is only collected by specially trained children, who climb the tree’s branches, said The Telegraph.

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