Berry Gardens is predicting substantial growth in British cherry sales on the back of a major planting programme.
Describing cherries as “a really exciting category” at a press briefing at Fruit Focus, Berry Gardens chairman Alastair Brooks said more orchards are becoming mature, which will put growth into the sector. “I think we are on the cusp of something great,” he predicted.
The UK cherry market is currently worth £125 million following 10 per cent year-on-year growth [Kantar Worldpanel, 52 w/e 19 June]. Although penetration and purchase frequency remain static, growers point out that significant volumes of sales at farm gate and roadsides are unaccounted for in the figures.
“Over the last few years we have seen many growers investing in orchards and trialling different growing methods to meet the growing demand by customers for consistent quality,” Brooks said.
“This year has been no different, and in addition our growers are starting to invest in state-of-the-art grading technology which ensures the best quality cherries are delivered to stores.
“With our members increasing production and the addition of two new significant cherry growers, Berry Gardens will represent around 70 per cent of UK cherry production for multiple retailers.”
Berry Gardens managing director Nick Marston added that there is “huge opportunity” to grow the sector further. He said poor weather during the blossom period had left this year’s production 25 per cent lower than predicted, but he is expecting a 20 per cent increase next year.
Production on Gisela rootstocks, the arrival of new varieties such as Kordia, Sweetheart, Centennial and Sequoia, together with the introduction of larger tunnels that can cover whole cherry trees, is all helping the trade to progress, according to Marston.
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