The Inspiration variety of broccoli, trademarked Tenderstem, is continuing to prove successful with supermarkets and consumers alike in the UK, and its unique asparagus-like spears are prospering due to the eat-in trend that has emerged since the economic slowdown.
Although providing a vital source of income for many and a welcome boost to the economy in northern Africa, Tenderstem has made its way through growing trials in the UK and is now proving to be an important part of several growers’ offers to the multiples. Trials began eight years ago with an asparagus grower in Ross-on-Wye and, despite less than favourable weather conditions over the last couple of seasons, growers have since taken up the crop across Kent, Lincolnshire, Jersey and Worcester.
There are now five licensed growers producing Tenderstem broccoli in the UK, under the watchful eye of master licensor Coregeo, and production has grown from 20 acres five years ago to more than 100a today. Coregeo believes that, now the crop has been established in the UK, more growers will want to include it in their range.
From Kenya to Kent
Areas like Kent, with high light levels and milder weather conditions, are conducive to Tenderstem production and, although the UK cannot produce the very high yields that the likes of Kenya can, Southfleet-based grower Matt Gedney of D&M Gedney Ltd believes that the UK can grow a product of equal quality.
“Tenderstem needs a lot of sunlight to grow, but we have found that in the cooler months of the UK summer, the plant grows slower and produces more tender spears,” says Gedney. “The Tenderstem harvested towards the end of the season in October and November is fabulous quality.”
D&M Gedney supplies organic Tenderstem broccoli exclusively to Marks & Spencer and harvests two to three tonnes a week, as well as producing and packing spring onions and vegetables on its two sites, which span a total of 900a.
A family business, D&M Gedney started in the 1900s and Gedney’s father took on specialised vegetables predominantly for M&S in the 1960s. Pre-packed vegetables became popular in the 1970s and 1980s and the firm followed, washing and packing sliced runner beans on site for M&S. Gedney’s background is in the US agricultural industry - specialising in packaging techniques in California - and he was called back to the family business at this time to take over this part of the farm’s operation.
The company has since concentrated on ready-to-eat lettuce for M&S and sandwich manufacturers, as well as preparing imported fruit such as mango and grapes through contracts with BerryWorld and Blue Skies.
The idea of growing Tenderstem broccoli first occurred to Gedney when he visited Morocco to look at spring onion production methods. “I saw how they were growing Tenderstem and thought that it would suit our mix in the UK,” says Gedney, who was the first to grow UK Tenderstem commercially and is still the only organic Tenderstem producer in the country. “With the advantage of working closely with M&S, we have been pioneers of many niche line products in the UK.
“M&S was keen on the idea five years ago and we started off with 10a of organic Tenderstem and four of conventional. In the second year of production we changed it to a completely organic production, as it is easier to process just one product from the fields.”
Green and pleasant land
D&M Gedney has now increased the acreage of Tenderstem broccoli on its farm to 24a and raises its seedlings - that are bought in from Lincolnshire - in a glasshouse. Ready for planting in the last weeks of March, some 22,000 seedlings are planted to an acre and each plant is harvested three to four times, with the first Tenderstem shoots being picked this week.
The seedlings are planted by machine, harvested and then washed by hand in the field.
The first crop of Tenderstem has been appearing at the end of July and the harvest continues until October, but last year Gedney discovered that he could extend the season until the first week of December.
“This was something we stumbled on,” explains the grower. “It was a mistake in the planting programme, which meant we were planting later and had to change growing techniques to try and make it work. It resulted in extending the season.
“Mid-season crop produces strong, straight stems, whereas the beginning and end of the season are more likely to provide good tips.”
Tenderstem broccoli’s growth pattern is manipulated in the UK in the same way as it is in Kenya, Jordan and Morocco, by nipping the bud of the plant once the floret has been formed to stimulate the growth of the spears.
“[Tenderstem] is an important part of organic rotation at our farm,” says Gedney. “And it is part of our four-year plan. We have found that it grows particularly well on a field that has been left fallow with grass and clover, as it is a nitrogen-hungry crop.”
Organic Tenderstem has been a challenge on the farm, as the process means weeds are more difficult to deal with. “Mildew is a concern, but the crop is fairly resistant,” says Gedney. “We have been working on better weeding processes. We use a scale seed system; we mark up land a long time prior to planting, in which time the weeds grow and come to the surface. They are then killed by being ploughed back into the ground to give the seedlings a chance.”
Finding a new place
The key reasons for D&M Gedney growing Tenderstem broccoli are the way it fits in with the farm’s organic rotation, and Gedney’s belief that UK produce is gaining a stronger position in the domestic marketplace. “We have a strong place in the market,” he confirms, “and not just because imports are now more expensive. M&S is doing a lot in the way of the environment and the carbon footprint with Plan A. We are part of the M&S commitment and it has been very good for the image of the farm. M&S has been very proactive at pushing the product forward.”
The firm plans to increase its yield of Tenderstem broccoli by 10 to 20 per cent year on year and is gearing up production to grow more densely. However, UK Tenderstem broccoli still needs to be supplemented by overseas product in the English season. “Kenya will always be used as a back-up to UK produce, as there has to be a continuous supply through the summer,” says Gedney.
“We now work with Flamingo, which acts as an agent for us, and have a good working relationship with the firm. M&S takes everything we produce. Demand is strong for Tenderstem in the UK season and M&S would like us to grow more.”
While Coregeo maintains that sales of Tenderstem broccoli have been slightly affected by the recession, as have most premium brands, the product has continued to perform better than most competitors.
“It is going to be an interesting season because of the recession and the hot weather,” comments Gedney. “Hopefully, consumers will use Tenderstem in salads. There have been no major growing challenges this year, but April was very cold and, although a warm May and June made up for that somewhat, this has meant that our crop will be 10 days to two weeks later than usual.
“You have to be on the crop every single day - it can flower quickly in the heat and once it has flowered, the plant’s productivity and ability to produce spears slip.”
Tenderstem broccoli is very much a high-end product and its packaging format and prepared mixes need to be constantly maintained to make sure they are delivering what the consumer - who is paying a healthy premium - wants.
“We are looking at different programmes for and with M&S, and we are doing NPD work and are hoping to produce a runner bean and Tenderstem broccoli twin-pack for 2010,” says Gedney.
Tenderstem for Christmas
Although still far from satisfying demand for Tenderstem broccoli in the UK season, British Tenderstem broccoli growers are making a name for themselves and providing UK consumers with that all-important choice.
Gedney is determined to keep UK Tenderstem on the supermarket shelves and believes that the UK is very well suited to the vegetable’s production.
“We are going to duplicate what we did last year [that extended the season] and see what happens,” he explains. “My target is to have fresh UK Tenderstem broccoli for Christmas lunch. We have managed to do that with spring onions and the same can be done with Tenderstem.
“It would be nice to see more UK growers taking up the reins and pushing UK produce forward rather than imports. It is important to support the industry.”
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