The UK tomato season stands to get a sales boost this year from the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee as well as the Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer.
Dr Phil Morley, technical officer of the British Tomato Growers Association said: “Retailers are fully on board this year of all years - with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and Olympic Games - wanting to promote British. These events will help this celebration of all things British and further stimulate sales. Retailers want to prove their allegiance with British produce and fly the flag that will be seen on TV all around the world over the next three to five months. The red, white and blue this year will stick in people’s minds for a long time and is something that can be built on in future years.”
A combination of early sowing dates by some growers and a relatively mild and bright January and March, critical times for plant growth, flowering and fruit set, have brought forward first picks on some of the UK’s tomato nurseries. The clear, warm days in March also helped stimulate demand but grower investment in energy-saving measures such as thermal screens has also been vital as well as helping growers save on their energy bills compared to last season.
The British Tomato Growers Association is running its annual British Tomato Week from 21-27 May.
