Farmers' markets made farmers a total of £166million last year, according to the NFU, double the amount they made when last surveyed, 30 months earlier.

Research by the union shows that: The number of farmers' markets have doubled from 200 to 450.

There are 15 million visits to farmers each year 80 per cent of neighbourhood businesses have seen an increase of trade because of a market moving nearby.

NFU deputy president Tim Bennett said: 'Farmers' markets are becoming more and more a part of people's shopping habits in many towns and cities.' 'They are a runaway success story which is pumping much-needed cash into the rural economy and show that farmers have taken an innovative and determined approach to the farming crisis.

'We now need to focus on how farmers can capitalise even further on a phenomenon that is providing them with such a valuable source of income during difficult times.'

Topics