Kentish cobnut growers are desperately seeking new outlets for this year’s crop, to secure a long-term future for the UK’s leading traditional fresh nut.
The cobnut’s historical importance has eroded to the point where there are now only around 50 growers operating in the UK.
Samantha Webb of organic cobnut specialist Allens Farm - a member of the Kentish Cobnuts Association - said that the volume now grown has reduced the commercial possibilities. “Between us, we do not have enough volume to supply all of the UK supermarkets, so potential for promotions is limited.”
Cobnuts retain their niche popularity and feature in Rick Stein’s Food Heroes recipe book. The mail-order route has proved profitable for the industry, but it wants a mainstream channel to get to a wider audience than devoted foodies.
“We have built up a customer base of around 350, which we have supplied direct using a courier service,” said the company’s Peter Webb. “But to widen the outreach, we would like to deliver direct to organic or non-organic independent greengrocers. As the nut season is short - from mid-August to October - and the product a speciality it is also difficult to enthuse the wholesale markets.”
“We are not trying to get rich,” added Samantha Webb, “but simply attempting to guarantee a future for the UK cobnut.”
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