Sell out shallots

Shallots have steadily grown in popularity over the last few years, and sales are rising at such a pace that British shallot growers are struggling to keep up with demand. Sales in the first quarter of 2008 are up over 13% in volume on the same period last year1. Shallots are a naturally grown product, subject to the unpredictability of the British weather.

Last year’s wet weather made growing conditions very difficult and as demand increases, supply is in danger of drying up until the new season’s shallots are ready in August.

Paul Cripsey, Chairman of UKShallot.com, the body representing British Shallot growers says: “This shows that all our efforts to get more people using shallots are paying off. We hope that the weather will be kinder to us this summer ensuring that we have a plentiful supply of shallots to satisfy the increased demand.”

Growers have also recently introduced echalions (banana shallots) into the UK which have long been a favourite of chefs and are now proving a huge hit with consumers.

For more information on shallots and how to use them, visit UKShallot.com.