Where do cucumbers come from?

A trip to the Supermarket quickly becomes a lesson on the global economy. Most stores label their fresh produce with the country of origin. You'd be amazed where everyday items come from. In Australia almost every fresh item is Australian grown, not so in the UK. Many items travel a great distance to reach us. Today I saw white-flesh nectarines from Australia (only £2.99 for a tub of four), or regular nectarines from Argentina (half price).

The origin of some items is unexpected. Asparagus comes from Peru. Medium chillies come from Tanzania, while small ones come from Kenya. Cucumbers from the Canary Islands. Strawberries from Morocco. Avocados from Mexico. Seedless grapes from India (see the photo above).

Other items are a little less surprising. Mushrooms come from Germany. Capsicums and Iceberg lettuce from Spain (bags of mixed leaves come from 'various locations'). Where, I hear you ask, do Olives comes from? Greece of course! It seems that only milk and cheese are produced in the UK.

It seems incredible that a green, fertile island like the UK finds it cheaper to import so much produce from the opposite side of the globe, rather than grow and sell it locally. I can't help but wonder if an international trade backlash is behind the numerous farmer's markets you find scattered across London. These weekly markets pop up in local suburban pedestrian malls, selling everything from fresh muffins (baked with organic eggs and flour) to whole pigs roasting on a portable gas rotisserie.