Hedon Salads has succeeded in growing cucumbers year-round in 18 acres of glasshouses it has under lights in Yorkshire.The company is supplying Tesco with the product which became available in trial volumes in late January this year and is now in sufficient quantities for commercial production. "We have the biggest production area under lights in Europe," joint managing director Tony Magistro told freshinfo. He and partner Tom Salmon were inspired after visiting production in Finland and Norway a few years ago and have since set about establishing similar viable production at Hedon by installing a combined heat and power pant on site.

Viability of the project in the UK has been boosted by the waning fortunes of Spanish growers. "Winter cucumbers from Spain are not so cheap any more," said Magistro. "The situation has changed over the past couple of years as labour is not so cheap and the systems they operate and the weather they have had mean that it is more expensive for them to grow cucumbers than it used to be. It can also be difficult for them to produce to UK specifications and we have found that we can produce as cheaply as them."

But according to Tesco's fresh produce category director Steve Murrells, the increase in UK sourcing will not have a negative impact on Tesco's overseas suppliers. "We are in a nice situation, whereby the Tesco growth model is very strong," said Murrells. "As such, if we can extend the UK season, there will be less of an impact on what we buy from elsewhere. Our overall growth rate is enough to cover that. However, if we were not expanding at the same rate, this would still be our policy as it makes economic sense."

He added that Tesco overseas suppliers would not be fazed by this

development and that they were all in a position and of a mindset to

raise their game and remain competitive.

The store is already talking to producers to try and secure UK-grown winter capsicum and tomatoes.

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