Somewhat akin to the prepared salad sector, a variety of mixed messages came out of the British Leafy Salads Association’s (BLSA) annual conference last week, where presentations and discussions on the category’s outlook took up a substantial part of the agenda.

That in itself is perhaps not surprising, as baby leaf was one of the major breakthroughs in fresh produce retailing, as consumers began to realise the advantages of convenience. Similarly, growers and their supermarket customers saw an opportunity to widen the world of salads beyond their wildest dreams.

No one would deny that the result has led to millions of pounds worth of investment in bringing new tastes to the table, creating an entirely new dimension and helping elevate the category to becoming a year-round purchase.

The question now being asked, however, is whether the level of sales has actually reached saturation point, brought on by both fears of recession and the enormity of the range - which, I would have to agree with Professor David Hughes (p20), is as confusing as it is imaginative.

In one sense, retailers are faced with a dilemma. At a time when, more than ever, all produce on the shelf must earn its keep, will this translate into less choice as the public moves towards cheaper commodity salad lines headed up by iceberg lettuce?

Or is the alternative increased momentum within the baby leaf sector? In this scenario will the industry be told to come up with even more combinations? And will these remain on the shelves for an even shorter time before they are discontinued in the search for something better - and most probably cheaper?

Underlying whatever future strategies may come forth is that, like many UK sectors, the salad industry is no stranger to feeling the pain.

It was probably an understatement from BLSA chairman David Piccaver when he described the last two seasons as “torrid”, not just in terms of abysmal weather conditions but the impact that they have had on profitability.

The one bright spark has been the benefit derived from the generic promotional salad campaign, supported by many of the major suppliers, which has successfully protected UK product and its sale against food-scare stories in the media - unlike the experience of the US industry.

There are similar examples throughout horticulture where the industry has, to its credit, over the past 10 years or more built up a solid platform, not just to display its wares but to counteract unfavourable publicity.

I have always believed that a great deal of success attributed to public relations cannot be validated, but in this particular instance, it is something truly useful for the continued protection of the industry.

Even though growers’ pennies are getting sparser, this is still a very specific and particular subject area that will continue to need defending and is, in its way, as important as the crop science that supports it.