The British raspberry season is now underway and new technologies are set to ensure larger volumes right through until the end of the campaign, according to British Summer Fruits.
The trade body expects more consistent yields this year thanks to the use of cold-stored long-cane plants and a significant increase in production under glass and in heated tunnels, which use renewable energy sources such as biomass boilers.
The cold-stored plants will give growers more flexibility and ensure that the gaps between production peaks are filled, BSF said.
BSF chairman Nick Marston said: “This season looks particularly good for raspberries and innovations in our industry has meant we are able to meet the growing consumer demand for berries so people across the UK can enjoy them all summer long.
“The main reason for the longer season is not so much varietal, but more a case of crop manipulation of existing varieties. The use of cold-stored long-cane plants gives more flexibility to have production to fill the natural gaps between the traditional peaks.
“Last year the season finished at the end of November and whilst, date-wise, this will probably not extend much, the volumes at this point last year were four per cent of peak week volumes. This should rise to nearer eight per cent.”
The recent hot weather is also ensuring strong supply at present, despite a delayed start to the campaign.
A cold spring may have set the season back slightly, but farmers said they were expecting volumes to increase thanks to the recent spell of hot weather and long daylight hours.
This is ensuring a healthy supply of varieties such as Driscoll’s Maravilla and BerryWorld's Sapphire at the moment, BSF reported.
In the year to 18 June, more than 25,000 tonnes of raspberries were sold in the UK, with shoppers spending more than £280 million on the fruit, according to Kantar.
Consumption of fresh berries, including strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries, grew by 132 per cent from 2006 to 2016, outstripping the 49 percent increase in fruit consumption overall.
Berries now make up 22 percent of all fruit sold in the UK, pushing the value of the berry industry to over £1.2 billion.
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