'Earliest start ever' for U.K. sweet corn grower - FreshFruitPortal.com

'Earliest start ever' for U.K. sweet corn grower

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'Earliest start ever' for U.K. sweet corn grower

Sweet corn sales have soared in the U.K. thanks to one of the sunniest summers in recent history. And with a penchant for al fresco barbecue dining right now, British consumers are buying cobs in abundance, leading to one grower, processor and marketer predicting its best season ever. AtĀ www.freshfruitportal.com, we spoke with Barfoots, a company supplying high-end retailer Waitrose with a tender sweet range that is driving sales this season.

Sweet corn sales are expected to climb by 30% for Waitrose as consumers continue to purchase the cobs grown on 5,000-acres of farmland in the sunniest regions of Great Britain, including Bognor Regis, West Sussex and the Isle of Wight.

Barfoots sweet corn manager Grant Lumsden

Barfoots sweet corn manager Grant Lumsden

Barfoot account executive Joe Cooper explained the U.K. had enjoyed an unusual amount of sun, light winds and very little rain since the start of July; perfect conditions for growing sweet corn.

"We just kicked off with the first sweet corn harvest on July 29 when we first went out to pick all of the corn for our early bird variety and I think thatā€™s the earliest start that weā€™ve ever had because the weather has been fantastic," he said.

"The amount of sun has been so great and the more sunshine we get then obviously the earlier the corn comes through, so this summer has given us really good growing conditions. Last week we had more than three million cobs from our farm.

"The weather was absolutely lovely all the way through July which really brought the crops through and this is probably going to be the best British season to date with excellent quality and availability."

Supplying Waitrose

Barfoots has been supplying Waitrose for many years but early estimates for 2014 show sales are likely to be up by 30% in store as Barfoots corn is re-packaged into a triple pack to complement the loose fresh corn.

"We are really driving sales in Waitrose and it has launched a new line as in a new triple pack that is selling very well and weā€™ve also been pushing sales for a tender sweet variety which is almost like a premium-tier line," Cooper said.

"The sunnier the weather, the more people are likely to barbecue and with that comes more sales of sweet corn as consumers enjoy cooking cobs as part of the barbecue experience.

"Because of the new lines that we have been working on for Waitrose, the prediction is for an increase in sales. Also the tender sweet variety has really been driving sales."

Barfoots, which also has operations in Spain, Senegal and Peru, will continue to supply sweet corn in Britain until the second week of October, and then will move the produce out to the Spanish market.

Business unit director James Meer said the biggest challenge would be to sell the entire crop because volumes are so high.

"Not only is there lots of it but weā€™ve got very high quality this year with a high sugar level in the crop and the cob size is also very good," he told www.freshfruitportal.com.

"We will probably get to a point where we have so much that weā€™ll struggle to sell it all because there is just so much of it which is always a nice challenge. Itā€™s a very nice position for our business to be in."

In a release, Waitrose buyer Matthew King confirmed the warm weather would boast sales with the corn available over the next couple of months.

"All eyes were on South America this summer, home to some of the tastiest sweet corn recipes. But with our own sweet corn tasting this good, Bognor is giving Brazil a run for its money," he said.

"With the weather this good, al fresco dining is the way to dine which is driving sales of sweet corn. Theyā€™re robust enough to cook on the barbecue and make great finger food, which is what outdoor eating is all about."

www.freshfruitportal.com

 

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