The recent news that AMS-WellPict European has gone into administration has had major implications for one UK-based blueberry farm.
Sharcott Farm, which is this week picking its maiden blueberry harvest,has been informed that AMS – the crop's major buyer – will now not betaking on the fruit as a result of its financial situation.
'The buyer had originally committed to most of the crop, so their notbeing able to follow through with the order and bring the berries tomarket is a real blow,' said joint farm-owner Simon Kelly. 'We won'tfind another buyer at this notice, so we're depending on shops,restaurants and the public buying from us direct. If we don't succeedthen much of the crop will go to waste and we will be fighting for thefuture of the farm.'
The development is a blow following the optimism arising from testpickings, which saw samples sold out in local shops and restaurants andall of these agreeing to take on orders. However, these would onlyaccount for 20 per cent of the overall 1.8 tonne crop, Mr Kellyexplained.
It is the latest in a long line of challenges for the farm, whichalso saw three late frosts destroy the crop in 2008, the year initiallypegged for the crop's launch. As a result of the frosts, the bankrefused to lend any further funds, leaving the family-run farm withlimited resources.
'It has been such a struggle but we have got amagnificent crop and the reaction from local people, shops and pubs hasbeen great,' said co-owner Sarah Kelly. We will get through this too,we are going to focus on shops and restaurants across Devon andSomerset (In England) because we think there is demand for good,locally-grown produce straight off the bush.'
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