Morrisons to sell ‘wonky’ pomegranates to meet rising demand

Fruit will come in different sizes and have blemishes but will cost 30p, compared to average 74p in UK supermarkets

A UK supermarket is to be the first to sell misshapen or “wonky”pomegranates, in order to keep prices down in the face of surging demand from consumers.

Packs of four will be sold in Morrisons for £1.20 – equivalent to 30p per fruit – when the average price of a pomegranate in UK supermarkets is 74p.

Demand for the exotic fruit has increased as a result of discussion of its health benefits, the UK’s fourth largest supermarket said. Pomegranates contain antioxidants and vitamins and are a rich source of dietary fibre.

Celebrity chefs such as Yotam Ottolenghi and Jamie Oliver have fuelled a craze for adding pomegranate seeds to salads, meat dishes and desserts. Pomegranates also now feature on the high street in everything from salads to fresh fruit pots.

The “wonky” fruit comes in varying sizes and with superficial skin blemishes – caused by falling to the ground. However, its taste, texture and flesh colour will be exactly the same as a normal pomegranate.

“Apart from looking odd, our wonky pomegranates have the same taste and nutritional benefits as normal pomegranates,” said James Turner, pomegranate buyer at Morrisons. “They really are beautiful on the inside.”…

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