British consumers are buying more mint than ever before, according to the UK’s leading producer of fresh herbs, which believes it has popular summer cocktail Pimm's to thank.
Vitacress, the largest producer and supplier of fresh herbs to the UK retail market, reported record sales of fresh mint for the first five months of 2016.
There has been a 15.9 per cent increase in sales on last year according to the supplier, with customers buying nearly 3.7 million pots and packs of fresh mint between 1 January and 22 May 2016.
Sales rose by just under 20 per cent over the twelve month period to the same date in May.
Tony Reid from Vitacress credits its bumper sales to the popularity of summer cocktail Pimm’s – which includes fresh mint – as well as its increased use in other cocktails and cooking.
The company’s head of marketing said: “We typically see mint sales increase in the summer months largely due to the classic Pimm’s cocktail, but this year has been a record.
“It seems the poor summer weather isn’t putting people off enjoying summer drinks and food.
“The growing trend for ‘clean eating’ could also be a factor as mint works well in salads and smoothies.”
Mint is currently the UK’s fourth favourite herb, behind coriander, basil and flat leaf parsley, all of which have grown in popularity over the past year.
Vitacress reported sales increases of 19 per cent for coriander, 17.3 per cent for basil and a whopping 38.1 per cent for flat leaf parsley.
The company, based in West Sussex, offers nine potted and 16 cut herb varieties, supplying over 16 million living potted herbs and 23 million packs of fresh herbs to retailers every year.
Vitacress was established in the 1960s and began growing fresh herbs in 1989.
