In November 2001 the Institute of Grocery Distributors (IGD) conducted a survey into the important issues that interest the consumer with regard to fruit and vegetable production.
The most important questions raised by consumers focussed on the use of pesticides and often there was no major demand for any other additional information.
Results from the national survey supported the conclusions of the focus groups, revealing a much greater demand for information about "agricultural sprays" than any other area.
51% of respondents asked "Are they 'sprayed' and why?"
55% of respondents asked "Are there chemical residues?"
The next most important issues were freshness and quality assurance. One of the problems regarding pesticide usage is that knowledge about pesticides is generally relatively low and as such can create a fertile breeding ground for rumours and myths.
Despite the UK fruit and vegetable sector experiencing slow growth in recent years, the soft fruit market has seen the largest growth. Simultaneously the UK public have become much more health conscious and the author explores the potential opportunities that may arise from this.
This report begins by briefly outlining the UK market and issues faced, such as rising costs and the need to comply with stringent environmental controls, before considering the technical production aspects such as variety choices and production costs, with respect to problems currently being experienced and potential improvements available by considering systems used abroad. Marketing and branding are given considerable focus, recognising the price inelastic nature of soft fruit products and featuring local branding case studies such as "Michigan Select." Furthermore, retailing and global matters are included whilst also relating consumption patterns around the world to possible marketing approaches that can be applied to soft fruit retailing, such as product differentiation. Finally this report is comprehensively concluded recognising the need to re-enforce public perceptions of the benefits of buying British, the need for branding to add value and the role that market segmentation can play in increasing sales of UK soft fruit.
The author visited the USA, South Africa, Holland, and Japan to enable the compilation of this report.
World population was increasing by 1.5% per annum during the 1990's but world onion production rose by 5% per annum leading to a significant supply and demand imbalance. This has resulted in onions being traded as a commodity rather than as a quality fresh vegetable, thus resulting in lower prices and poor returns for growers.
This report outlines how onion industries are surviving in a commodity market by reviewing the situation in many countries ranging from the EU to the southern hemisphere and how EU enlargement will affect the market. An example of this is the recognition of the Tasmanian industry to only export the highest quality onion from their crop to ensure they last the long shipping journeys. The author then identifies opportunities that are emerging for the onion in terms of value added products, one of which includes the onion ring. Emphasis is placed on quality as the determinant of success and the importance of whole crop utilisation to maximise value is explained alongside other conclusions for the UK industry.
The author visited New Zealand, Tasmania, Australia, USA and Poland.
Despite UK cut flower sales booming in recent years as they have doubled over the last ten years, it is still evident that customer spending per capita is not as high as other producing nations.
This report therefore considers cut flower production in all of the different countries visited firstly assessing flower mile and whether or not the advantages of lower cost production abroad outweigh the cost of transporting them to the UK. Furthermore the climatic differences across producing nations are analysed with the variety comparisons as to their vulnerability to transport because the product has a very short life cycle after all. This is concluded with recommendations for the UK cut flower industry such as the need to invest to demonstrate future confidence to customers and also to reduce costs within the supply chain to ensure a positive future.
The author visited Kenya, Uganda and many parts of South America to assemble this report.
A reduction in the area of vegetables grown in the UK has inevitably led to less seedlings being required, which has created intense competition between propagators in the east of England and the price has therefore dropped due to a reduction in demand.
This report clearly investigates different techniques used in seedling production to outline what can be learnt by conventional propagators in view of pesticide withdrawals. Furthermore the author discusses different tray handling systems with reference to reducing labour requirements and a future outlook of the UK vegetable propagation industry is proposed. Various European countries as well as the USA and Australia are considered under these criteria leading to clear conclusions on the future of automation within the industry and recommendations for UK producers to remain customer focused to ensure a future market for their products.
The author travelled to the USA, Australia, Holland and Spain to collect the information required to assemble this report.
As beaurocracy becomes commonplace and energy prices soar to record levels, there is a need to continue efficient production within the horticultural industry as the 500 ha of "high temperature" heated glass houses in the UK must maintain competitiveness. In response many countries, such as Canada, have been experimenting with solutions such as glass with thermal screens allowing reduced heat loss but yet not sacrificing light input and therefore maintaining production.
The author used Canada and New Zealand as focus points to discuss the governmental situation in relation to legislation such as the Kyoto Protocol, therefore explaining what pressure was being used by the state to reduce energy use. In addition many growers' associations such as the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers of Canada are outlined indicating how they have represented the industry on such policy. Furthermore various technical solutions to reduce energy use in line with government legislation are incorporated alongside recommendations to consider alternative fuels such as biomass and other issues that must be addressed to protect the industry.
Tim Pratt travelled across Canada and New Zealand to compile his report.
