Recent Kantar figures show a resurgence in sales of salad crops, with growth in the sales of both tomatoes and cucumbers by 5% in the year to the 18th of June. Tomatoes are the largest sales category in retail vegetable sales, with 18.6% of the market. There has also been volume growth, with 8% and 1% respectively for cucumbers and tomatoes.
The reasons behind this are rising consumer interest in healthy eating. A PERIscope report from 2015 found that ‘The Irish like to believe in the power of food and its ability to be able to impact their well being’. Tomatoes, in particular, are very healthy for you – an 80g portion of tomatoes contains 75% of your daily vitamin A requirement. Vitamin A contributes to the normal function of the immune system, and to the maintenance of normal skin and vision. It’s also a source of vitamin C which has a host of health benefits, including for skin and teeth and a reduction in tiredness and fatigue.
From a demographic point of view, tomatoes show a more traditional spread of sales, with the heaviest consumers in the older age groups. Cucumbers show a more recent trend for sales to be highest in the 35-44-year-old group, shared by products like berries.
The Irish season for tomatoes runs from May to November, and for cucumbers from May to October. To see the full season for all Irish fruit, vegetables, and salads, go to www.bestinseason.ie/whats-in-season/
