Three supermarkets have told MPs that although convenience is more important to consumers than source they will endeavour to sell more locally-grown produce.

Government chiefs encouraged the mid-market multiples to stock product grown nearby in a report from the future of food and farming commission released last month.

Representatives from Tesco, Sainsbury's and Asda said that localisation was an important part of their business, but added that it was low on the consumer's list of priorities.

Sainsbury's admitted that an average store would stock just 300 locally-grown lines amid an range of some 20,000.

Convenience was the biggest growth area for the trio of big retailers.

Sainsbury's director of food Ian Merton said: 'As we move forward, the convenience aspect is a trend that consumers seem to require, as well as choice.'

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