Premium tomato brand credits company’s “willingness to challenge convention” and “ambition to create something genuinely different” for retailer award
Isle of Wight Tomatoes has been named by Marks & Spencer as Grower of the Year.
Founded in 2007, the premium tomato brand cultivates its tomatoes in the Arreton Valley on the Isle of Wight, and grows between 40 to 65 commercial varieties, including cherry, plum and beefsteak.
The retailer’s Grower of the Year award is an annual honor to recognise exceptional agricultural suppliers, growers and producers within its UK and global supply base.
Paul Thomas, managing director at Isle of Wight, said the company’s “willingness to challenge convention” and “ambition to create something genuinely different” contributed to an overall “incredible year” for the brand, he wrote on Linkedin.
“Looking back at everything we’ve achieved in such a short space of time, there have been so many amazing milestones. It’s been a remarkable journey, and one that we’re only just beginning,” he added.
The award comes as the brand has experienced significant growth and industry recognition in recent years, experiencing a 29 per cent growth in revenue in 2024, as well as a research partnership established this year with the University of Portsmouth to improve crop forecasting accuracy and and reduce produce waste.
Thomas also thanked those at M&S for sharing ambition and backing the company, adding: “That belief and partnership ha[s] been instrumental in everything we’ve achieved together.”
The brand’s products are currently available in Ocado, Tesco, Marks & Spencer as well as the brand’s official website.
Earlier this year in July, Isle of Wight’s Viola Cocktail tomato was named the ‘best overall supermarket vine tomato’ in a Guardian newspaper taste test.
The tomatoes, which are sold under Morrison’s ‘The Best’ range, were described as a “medium-size, wonderfully deep maroon-coloured variety” by chef Tom Hunt.
“Proof that delicious tomatoes can be grown in the UK. Quite sweet (Brix score of seven) with a low acidity and incredible, rounded umami flavour,” he wrote.
The Isle of Wight receives some of the highest sunshine hours in the UK, amplified by coastal light reflection, enabling the brand’s tomatoes to have naturally high sugar levels and flavour.
The brand is also known for their range of pasta sauces, ketchups, pestos and shakshuka sauces sold in retailers such as Ocado and Selfridges, which are made from excess, over-ripe or un-graded fruit to ensure zero waste.
