Game market boom

Game trade is expected to rise by 8% to £69million in 2008, according to a new survey by Mintel Oxygen.

British wild game has nearly doubled in market value over the past five years, with venison representing three fifths of sales, followed by pheasant and partridge.

Between 2003 and 2007, sales through farm shops, farmer's markets and online increased by 60%.

Bird flu and rising feed costs have affected poultry figures, although the value is expected to increase by 6.5% to £2.7 billion in 2008. The game trade, however, will rise by 8% according to the new survey by Mintel Oxygen.

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