Traditional vegetables continue to perform well, with volumes up year on year, pointing to some more normality returning to Christmas trading. Fresh Direct say the growth in prepared products is ‘more spectacular’, up by around 20%, as the festive period comes closer and pressures on kitchens increase.

The company is seeing specialist ingredients such as quince, bergamot orange, and Douglas Forest Fir growing in popularity as venues seek different flavour profiles and unique menus. Caterers are also making coloured variety vegetables as well as baby versions.

Ian Nottage, head of food development at Fresh Direct, said: “Christmas isn’t just about carrots and sprouts, there are around 250 different prepared fruit and veg lines available as customers look for opportunities to create menu standout.

“Christmas favourites will always dominate, but we’re also seeing a huge increase in prepared ranges with whole prepared Butternut Squash, Prepared Swede, quartered parsnip and diced potato seeing some of the greatest growth.”

Fresh Direct’s M&J Fresh Seafood is seeing more twists on the traditional, for example smoked salmon are ‘getting a festive makeover’ with flavours such as orange and fennel pollen elevating the more traditional variety. Loch Reared Trout is proving popular with flavours, including Beetroot and Dill and Kedgeree Spiced Trout, giving a new flavour combination to this popular fish.