Tesco is stocking four lines of Welsh-grown tomatoes in its 41 stores across the principality.
Produced and supplied by Stubbins Marketing, at its Rhymney Valley site in south Wales, the range signals the latest move by the retailer to increase its commitment to locally-grown produce in the UK.
The four lines are: 250g Baby Plum; 300g Cherry-on-the-vine; 8-pack Finest Sweet Plum; and 8-pack Finest on-the-vine.
Tesco tomato buyer Paul Bidwell, who is already reporting extremely good customer uptake of the Welsh offer, said: “Working with Stubbins is ultimately great news for lovers of British tomatoes because it will mean us taking less imports from abroad.
“Stubbins will supply our depot in Chepstow from where we will distribute these Welsh grown tomatoes across the whole of Wales and south-west England.”
The toms are being packed in distinctive packaging, featuring the red dragon of Wales and will undoubtedly tap into the nationalistic passion that has been created in Wales by the recent grand slam triumph by its rugby team. The products will also be distributed to Tesco’s stores in south-west England.
Stubbins purchased Rhymney Valley in late 2003 and the site has quickly developed its speciality offer. Keith Sadler, Stubbins business development director, said: “We are fully aware that there is a growing demand for locally grown produce and there has been a lot of work carried out by the Welsh Development Agency to invoke passion about homegrown food and drink in the country and as the biggest tomato nursery in Wales, we are in a position to fulfil the demand for Welsh tomatoes.
“There is an increased volume of speciality tomatoes being grown at Rhymney which will be available in stores until the autumn. We are delighted to be working with Tesco and to assist them in meeting their objectives.”
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