Written question asked by Nicholas Winterton (Conservative) on Tuesday, 13 January 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 22 January 2004. It was answered by Alun Michael (Labour) on Thursday, 22 January 2004 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the total supermarket share of the (a) liquid milk and (b) cheese market was in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available. - Inc figures.

Answer: Sir Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total supermarket share of the (a) liquid milk and (b) cheese market was in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available. [148691] Alun Michael: The supermarket share of the biggest four supermarkets (Asda, Safeways, Sainsburys and Tesco) of liquid milk in 2001-02 was 36 per cent. If smaller supermarkets are included (excluding town centre and local shops) the share rises to 48 per cent. The corresponding market shares for cheese are 64 per cent. for the big four and 80 per cent for all supermarkets. Figures are from the Expenditure and Food Survey and are only available for the twelve month period ending in March 2002.

Secondary information