- ASDA predicts over two million British pumpkins to be sold this yea
- A good summer has helped Asda pumpkin growers produce a bumper crop already being harvested, almost a month earlier than normal
- Sales of British pumpkins expected to be 61% higher than in 2015
LEEDS, UK, 2017-Sep-19 — /EPR Retail News/ — Trick or treaters can get creative with unlimited ghoulish carvings this year, as Asda has already started harvesting over two million pumpkins – more than ever before – following a sizzling summer.
This year, Asda’s pumpkins will be bigger than ever due to the recent bouts of warm weather and plentiful rain, which has helped the Halloween staple to flourish. The extra-large pumpkins, from varieties named ’Big Doris’ and ‘Gladiator’, weigh up to 30 kilos- almost six times the common varieties of pumpkins, which weigh on average five kilos.
Planted back in May, the weather conditions have helped the crop develop and harvest being brought forward, with each individual vegetable going from seed to fully-fledged pumpkin in 110 days, making for a fang-tastic Halloween for Brits.
Kevin Curson, Asda Pumpkin Grower, comments: “The British weather can be your best friend or worst enemy when it comes to harvest time. We planted the pumpkin seeds several months back and have since been blessed with the weather, which has boosted the size and number of pumpkins we’re harvesting.
We’d been checking on the pumpkins regularly and were surprised to see that the weather conditions meant we had to bring forward the start of harvest to September 1st. Whilst earlier than expected, we always ensure we’re picking pumpkins when they’re at their best, so it was important to get the operation moving quickly.”
Jon Wynn, Asda Vegetable Technical Manager, said: “In recent years, we’ve seen a huge increase in the demand for pumpkins as more households adopt Halloween as an annual tradition.
Thanks to a bumper crop, Asda will have over two million pumpkins available of all shapes and sizes and in perfect condition for creepy carving and trick or treating.”
In two years, Asda has seen almost double the amount of pumpkin sales around Halloween. In 2015, 1.35 million pumpkins were sold, with 2.2 million predicted for this year.
Available in store from October 5th, Asda’s pumpkins come in three sizes; Medium, Large and Extra Large.
Kevin Curson’s top pumpkin tips: To look after pumpkins at home prior to carving, Brits should keep them stored in a dry and cool environment. Let them get plenty of air around them.
Source: ASDA
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