Good light levels in the UK in February and March have meant that the glasshouse crop has developed well leading to plentiful volumes in May. However, the cool wet conditions that have characterised most of the month have dampened demand. This situation is rendered more complex by low light levels and unseasonably low temperatures in Spain which have affected arrivals on the UK marketplace and led to a late season flush and clash with new season local supplies.

Although, there has been pressure on price, the situation appears to be lifting into June and, estimates the Tomato Growers' Association producers should be able to look forward to a promising season.

Restructure in the UK industry, largely as a result of major grower Humber VHB reducing its acreage, means that area under production is down significantly this year – by 15-20 per cent estimates the TGA. Although some of the area taken out of production by Humber VHB has been bought up and maintained for tomatoes by other growers and marketing groups, some of the glasshouses have been given over to other crops and other smaller UK growers have given up the business.

Product quality is reported by the TGA to be very favourable and approximately 70 per cent of the crop will be marketed loose with the remaining 30 per cent on the vine. This breakdown is broadly in line with last season.

Meanwhile, the TGA is reiterating its message to the marketplace. 'The question we are most often asked by consumers when they sample the fruit at shows, is 'why can't I buy tomatoes like these in the shops?'' said the TGA's Gerry Hayman. 'The answer is of course that they can but they need to look hard at the label. Our message to retailers is that people are prepared to pay more for something better and so good tomatoes should sell for more and not less.'

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