The British Tomato Growers’ Association (TGA) toasted its 10th anniversary at the Chelsea Royal Hospital last Thursday, where its members celebrated the transformation in the perception of UK tomatoes.
TGA executive officer Gerry Hayman, who has been involved with the organisation since it was set up, told FPJ: “The TGA is still here 10 years on - no one thought it would be, but it is - and we have to keep getting message across or there won’t be a UK industry.”
The trade body has worked proactively to dispel scare stories related to the British tomato industry and correct reports that wrongly used the fruit to illustrate negative claims made in the last decade.
TGA campaigns have featured support from celebrity chefs Ainsley Harriet and Lloyd Grossman, as well as radio and TV host Chris Tarrant, and the awareness drive has continued with tastings at trade and consumer shows and the development of the TGA website.
“When people say British tomatoes don’t taste like they used to, we can say it’s because they taste a damn sight better,” Hayman told guests. “There has been a revolution in the tomatoes grown in the UK, from tiny cherries to buxom beef tomatoes.
“I think we are the best of British and I wish you every success for the next 10 years.”
Alan Parker, a director of the Wight Salads Group and the first TGA chairman, said the trade association was instrumental to improving the image of UK tomatoes. “The industry was getting no end of negativity from an ill-informed media, but the TGA set about making a difference. We have changed the image of British tomatoes,” he said. “British tomatoes have a presence at UK retailers at the premium end of the market.”
But the 10th anniversary celebration came as demand for UK tomatoes plummeted following rain and low temperatures at the peak of domestic supply. “The season got off to a great start in April but, since then, the weather has had a knock-on effect,” Hayman told FPJ.
A number of UK firms have had to dump fruit that could not be sold.
The sector is hoping for a turnaround in the weather to boost demand.
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