AFI staff joined 20 strawberry growers on a farm walk on May 14 to discuss the upcoming campaign.

The producers – members of the Mockbeggar Producers Organisation – claimed this season would be the earliest on record.

AFI sales director Ian Waller said: 'We are already about two weeks earlier than last year. Fruit is looking very good and the outdoor crop is growing on well.' Picking began last week of early variety Christine, developed by Dr Derek Jennings in 1995, and yields are already around the half a tonne per acre mark.

Mockbeggar Farm's Simon Brice said: 'We are getting 86 per cent class one fruit, which is very impressive. It crops seven days before Elsanta and keeps its size.' The crop will continue for around four weeks, before main variety Elsanta takes over the helm.

Meanwhile, AFI chairman Douglas Kemp was impressed with newcomer variety Nicola – also a Jennings variety.

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