The first-ever bags of solo baby leaf iceberg lettuce have been launched in Asda this week from Shropshire-grower PDM Produce.
The product is currently retailing in bags of 100g for £1.
Also known as Crispita and owned by Syngenta, the leaf is already sold in some baby leaf mixed bags.
It is not exclusively grown by PDM but the company was the first to bring it to market in the UK, and the first to sell it without a mix in bags of baby iceberg.
PDM’s commercial manager, Matt Boyns, said the company hopes it will go on to be listed in other retailers.“There are huge opportunities for baby iceberg, not just for bags, but in sandwich fillers and pubs,” he said.
Crispita is resistant to downy mildew strain number Bl 1-31, but still requires some spraying to protect this resistance.
It has the flavour and aesthetic appearance of iceberg lettuce, but resists breaking down or ‘pinking’ due to its baby leaf structure. It is harvested using a three-bed six-metre harvester, which the company invested in two years ago and claims is the first of its kind in the UK.
PDM Produce grows on 3,000 acres in Shropshire, and has supply partners in Spain and Italy. Spinach was the company’s first baby leaf product, and they now grow rocket, chard and mizuna, mainly sold in bulk to processors, as well as baby leaf iceberg.
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