Further adherence to waste-reduction schemes such as WRAP by shoppers is helping to boost consumption of frozen vegetables, according to Birds Eye CEO Martin Glenn.

Speaking at this year’s EFFP Conference, Glenn stressed that frozen vegetable production results in less carbon emissions than chilled, and that the stigma of frozen vegetables being less healthier than fresh is starting to fade among “waste-conscious” British shoppers.

“Frozen food causes much less waste than chilled, and has 30 per cent more vitamins; we’ve really noticed a trend and our research shows nine out of 10 British shoppers now prefer Birds Eye frozen peas to M&S fresh peas,” said Glenn.

He added the company’s ‘Forever Food’ sustainability initiative will result in a 30 per cent reduction in carbon emissions by 2020, and that the firm will continue to sustainably source its peas and spinach.

Elsewhere at the conference, EFFP senior partner Siôn Roberts, predicted that the rate of inflation in retail food prices will double next year.

“Communication between retailers and producers is now key, and we really must start working more closely together as supply is lagging behind demand,” Roberts told delegates.

Clive Black, head of research at Shore Capital Stockbrokers, echoed Roberts’ assessment, citing this year’s poor weather and its impact on potato production as an example of British supermarkets not working closely enough on pricing with growers and producers.

Black said: “Potato prices have not gone up in shops despite the weather and its impact on production. Retailers should be telling consumers the story behind the problems rather than fighting to keep prices low; a big proportion of the 2012 crop will be written off.”

However, Matt Simister, Tesco’s director of Group Food Sourcing, called for retailer and producer transparency during his presentation, and said that the time of retailer “sledging” had passed .

Responding to NFU horticulture chair Sarah Dawson and her claims that the major retailers have had a 20-50 per cent increase in retail margins despite lowering prices to farmers, Simister said: “Tesco makes closer to six per cent margains. Our suppliers need to remain competitive as our approach will always be to get as much value as possible.”

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