UK-produced rapeseed oil has soared in popularity with British customers, with the value of rapeseed oil sales for food in the year to the end of February 2013 showing an increase of 17% to £8.5million, with volume rising by 11.5% to 2.9 million litres, according to retail analysts Kantar Worldpanel. By contrast, the volume of olive oil fell by 0.9% to 16 million litres. At Tesco, the UK's largest retailer, sales of the oil are so strong – growing by 60 per cent in the last year - that the retailer now sells 21 different varieties including versions infused with chilli, ginger, garlic, lemon, and garlic.
Tesco local sourcing manager Gemma McIvor said that the retailer started selling cold pressed rapeseed oil five years ago, commenting, "since then it has really taken off and we now stock varieties from all over Britain."
Due to the growing demand for the product and consumer interest in supporting local companies,Tesco stocks rapeseed oils produced in Somerset, Suffolk, Hertfordshire, Yorkshire, Northumbria, Staffordshire, Shropshire, Sussex, Hampshire and Aberdeenshire. These local varieties are then sold in stores in the counties where they are produced.
