IN AN uncertain time for meat producers, sales of York deer are booming to the point where demand is exceeding supply.

Nigel Sampson, of York-based Holme Farmed Venison, has seen turnover rise by 30 per cent across the board this year, with sales doubling in some multiples to 60 per cent in like-for-like figures over Christmas.

Mr Sampson and his wife Miranda, company secretary, today announced the third successive year of massive increase in his £3.5 million turnover business, which, with associated farms, has a herd of 2,000 deer at a farm in Thorpe Underwood, and a modern £750,000 factory in Sherburn-in-Elmet.

He reckons his 35 staff at the 10,000sq ft factory will soon have to work double shifts in order to cope, but is worried there are too few deer farmers to meet the growing demand, as sales of his meat rocket in Asda, Sainsbury's, Waitrose and Booths.

Of the 200 deer farmers in the UK, he has only about 50 suppliers "and of them only three or four are in North Yorkshire". Mr Sampson has had to turn to imports from New Zealand, although he hopes eventually to benefit from new breeding stock in Europe.

He also has the problem faced by other meat producers - of feeding costs rising by 70 per cent - but feels he has been treated well by the supermarkets.

He said: "They are paying ten per cent more for raw material, which is helping us claw back a better return for our farmers.

"The benefits are being passed back directly to the farmer, who is seeing price increases of 30p to 40p per kg, which is equivalent to £15 to £20 a head."

Meanwhile supermarkets are confirming the rising trend for the lean meat which is packed with goodness, including omega 3 oils.

Asda buyer Jim Viggards said: "Venison is healthy, easy and quick to cook, and gaining popularity with the rise of the celebrity chef culture. Venison is increasingly becoming a mainstream taste, attracting younger buyers who are looking for a healthy alternative to beef."