Shoppers are going crazy again for traditional British cooking sauces, exclusive data produced for The Grocer shows.

Sales of British sauces rose 13.2% last year to £47.4m in the year to 4 November 2007 - a dramatic reverse in fortunes on the previous year when sales fell 2.5%.

This growth rate outstripped that for the market as a whole, which was up 5.1% to £467m. British sauces also grew faster than any other kind of sauce. They were boosted by Premier Foods' launch of a Bisto wet sauce range and a strong showing by Unilever's Knorr Chicken, Beef and Sausage Tonight range.

Increasing consumer interest in provenance also allowed smaller suppliers with products focused at the premium end of the market to flourish.

"Retailers should take note of this trend and support it with more British ranges," said Alexia Robinson, organiser of British Food Fortnight.

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