Representative Barrie Smith said: "Tumbler is the standard patio tomato but has no disease resistance and a terrible flavour." ProVeg's alternatives include the similar-looking Terenzo, the cherry tomato Lizzano and the plum-shaped Romello.
It also has Losetto and a larger plum tomato in the pipeline. All but Losetto are All-American Selections winners and the varieties were also successfully promoted at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show in July, Smith added.
ProVeg is also trialling varieties for the "semi-pro market", suggesting compact tomatoes grown on a table-top format would make an appealing pick-your-own option. "The yield is already there, but is it a high-enough-value product?"
Mini-cucumbers and peppers are also being trialled for the amateur market. Basil variety Dark Opal "has a strong flavour and coped better with the weather than regular basil", said Smith.
