Firms in the flour milling industry could be set to see increased demand for their produce from private consumers, it is claimed.
Wessex Mill in Wantage, Oxfordshire, is the smallest commercial flour mill left in Britain, according to the Oxford Mail.
While sales dwindled as supermarket loaves became more popular during the recession, the producer is now seeing a rising demand for its bread flour from farmers' markets throughout the county.
Owner Paul Munsey explained that supplying flour direct to customers is proving to be a very profitable area.
"It's the sales to the public that are growing by 25 per cent each year. It's only ten per cent of the business now but we hope that will eventually become the main part," he told the newspaper.
Flour milling firms have been affected by the rising cost of cereals in recent months, with staples such as wheat reaching record prices due to supply shortages across the globe.
Typical Guttridge equipment used in the flour milling industry includes:
