Supermarket giants switch to British

Asda aims to be the first UK supermarket to ditch foreign carrots - while Tesco is seeking more Welsh beef suppliers.

Asda intends to double the volume of carrots it sourses from Scotland.

For the past three years the supermarket giant has been working with growers in Angus, Perthshire and Aberdeenshire to extend the British carrot growing season from 46 weeks to 50 weeks. And, according to the company, it is on course to be 100% self sufficient in carrots by 2004.

The venture will mean an annual order for 10,000t of Scottish carrots, instead of the 5000t/year, which means that Asda is on the lookout for new growers.

Tesco is looking to recruit 1500 more Welsh cattle farmers to help meet customer demand for it's Finest Welsh beef range.

Since launching the range in all 43 stores last month, sales have exceeded all expectations.

Meinir Phillips, Tesco Welsh marketing manager, said: "We knew this would be a popular range but are staggered at it's immediate success and the response we have had from our customers".