Israeli vegetable growers from the Maon region in the north-western Negev plan to export 15,000 tonnes of high-quality carrots, mostly to major multiples in the UK and other western European countries, this season.

The region is fast becoming the largest vegetable growing area in Israel and expects to harvest 50 per cent more carrots than last season with a total crop of approximately 35,000t forecast.

Nimrod Pelled, who heads up carrot producers in the region, said the most significant increase will be in organic carrots. “This is in view of the dramatic increase in demand in the UK and Germany for Israeli organic carrots,” he said.

Branded carrots slated for export are washed, brushed, polished and packed at source in one-kilo polybags, according to market preference.