CI toms on course

The Canary Islands tomato season is on course to finish in June on the back of continued good quality, according to Foods from Spain.

The season began in October 2006 and according to the promotional body, volumes built steadily during November and early December and exporters are now sending an average of three ships every week.

Maria José Sevilla, director of Foods from Spain said: “The beginning of the Canary Islands tomatoes season has been strong, and we’ve seen excellent fruit arriving into the UK. If the weather remains favourable, and we avoid long periods of wet and cold in the early part of next year, shoppers should be able to enjoy tomatoes from the islands until early summer.”

Canary Islands tomatoes are once again being promoted as part of Foods from Spain’s integrated campaign for Spanish produce. Funding comes partly from growers’ organisations on the islands and the local export development board, as well as Foods from Spain. It features retailer posters and in-store radio, as well as trade and consumer advertising and advertorials.

“Canary Islands tomatoes are the final product we are promoting as part of the 2006 Foods from Spain campaign on fresh produce. The islands have a long and fruitful relationship supplying to and supporting UK retailers, so this is a fitting end to a very successful year of promotional activity in this market. We are looking forward to building on this throughout 2007,” Sevilla added.