18 July 2007, 13:11 PM
  • A wet June is to blame for a considerable slump in summer seasonal produce, according to market analyst, AC Nielsen.

Salads and seasonal fruits are usually big sellers in June, but due to the poor weather, sales have declined significantly compared to last year and are markedly behind figures for this year.

Fresh produce has seen consistent double digit growth for much of the year but there was no year-on-year growth recorded for June. Salad declined by 13% while overall fruit sales were down by one percent.

Instead, consumers have turned to traditional winter foods such as soups, which dramatically increased by 30% in June and hot chocolate drinks soared by 26%.

Mike Watkins, senior manager for retail services at Nielsen, said, “We have been seeing buoyant sales in fresh produce for some time now and it will come as a blow to growers who are already having to deal with the implications of crop damage caused by the rain, that June has seen very poor sales.”