Coloured carrots could become a far more common sight on supermarket shelves and could even be regarded as a separate style of root vegetable, according to one expert.

During a field trials day in Norfolk, James Wilson of breeder Elsoms reminded growers that there was a whole alternative range available either from new varieties or by reintroducing those which were once well-known.

The catalyst for the trend is the multiples’ desire to offer
consumers something new.

Sainsbury is already stocking a purple variety, but there is a range of other colours ranging through the spectrum from yellow to white.

The subject is likely to get an airing at the joint Carrot and Onion conference in Cambridgeshire on November 26-27.