British strawberry growers say this year’s crop is up eight per cent on last year with availability set to continue into December.
According to figures from trade body British Summer Fruits (BSF), 60,170 tonnes of strawberries have been produced so far, due to a mild 2013 winter kickstarting the season starting seven weeks beginning in March this year.
BSF said that British strawberries benefited from 98 per cent market share at the peak of the season, in a successful replacement of imports.
“Due to the industry’s investment in new varieties, increased planting and the growing use of glasshouses, we have been able to meet a growing demand from consumers, who have enjoyed a huge 60,170 tonnes of strawberries,” said BSF chairman, Laurence Olins. “We have produced the biggest UK crop of the nation’s favourite berry this year.”
Grower Anthony Snell, of Hertfordshire-based AJ & CI Snell, credited “fantastic” growing conditions for the extended season.
“We use polytunnels to protect our crops and this crucially meant that the crop and soil were protected throughout the season, so they could grow naturally without any damage,” he added.
No comments yet