The UK carrot industry experienced a positive trading year in 2006, with expenditure and volume sales up on previous years.
“2006 was a very positive year for the British carrot industry,” said Martin Evans, md of Freshgro and British Carrot Growers’ Association chairman. “A year into a two year PR and marketing campaign, the industry is in a strong position. The reversal of the declining sales experienced in previous years is secure.
According to the latest figures, expenditure for the UK carrot market, which is work £197 million, is up by more than two per cent and volume sales by one per cent.
Research has also shown that consumers are buying carrots more regularly and spending more per trip.
Last year the BCGA embarked on an extensive promotion of home-grown carrots. As well as a media relations campaign, it undertook a branding exercise for British Carrots, launched a new website, and released a press disk.
Year two of the campaign will see a greater focus on children and details will be released very soon.
And while last year’s weather extremes had an affect on production, supply of UK carrots will not be significantly disrupted, according to David Martin, md of Plantsystems and vice chairman of the BCGA said: “In spite of tough and expensive growing conditions during the summer of 2006, the market remains well supplied with high quality carrots. The winter is proving to be very warm which is typical of recent winters and this is causing concern about the late straw stored crop in terms of keeping quality. However as much of the supply for the spring period comes from Scotland beneath deep straw, the effects are minimised and the prospects are bright.”
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