Fresh produce sales increase 4%

BORD BIA estimates that the retail sales of fresh produce was worth €875 million for the 12 month period that ended in May 2004 - a 4% increase on the previous year.

Vegetable sales account for €352m of that total, potato sales are €147m and fruit sales €376m.

Multiple supermarkets account for 76% of fresh produce retail sales, symbol outlets for 6%, greengrocers 7% and other outlets 5.2%. Discounters’ share of the market is 5.8% and growing.

Bord Bia disclosed the figures yesterday when it announced that SuperValu in Newpark, Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo is the national fresh produce awards winner for 2004/2005. The Village Grocer in Castlemartyr, Co Cork, took the award for the Best Greengrocer nationwide.

The awards reward excellence in retail standards for fresh produce, promoting increased sales.

Recognition is given to stores where the product range, availability and merchandising of Irish produce, food safety, quality and point of sale material are of the highest possible standards.

Bord Bia chief executive Aidan Cotter said the €875 million spent by consumers on fresh produce, primarily for consumption at home, represents significant potential for retailers to capitalise on.

He said Bord Bia, through initiatives such as the fresh produce awards, is working closely with producers and retailers in ensuring that fresh produce of the highest quality reaches consumers. This year’s regional fresh produce award winners include Superquinn, Blackrock Shopping Centre, Blackrock, Co Dublin; Superquinn, Market Cross Centre, James Street, Kilkenny; Superquinn, Kilbarry Centre, Kilmore Road, Waterford and O’Gorman’s SuperValu, Market Square, Carrickmacross, Monaghan.