Variety from Angus Soft Fruits breeding programme praised for standout flavour, consistent quality and large size
With the Scottish raspberry season underway, Aldi has said the 2026 crop is “sweeter, tastier and larger than ever before”.
The discounter has begun selling Ava Monet, a premium variety developed by Angus Soft Fruits, for £2.39 a punnet at all 113 Aldi Scotland stores.
According to the discounter, the variety, which had its first season of commercial production in 2024, is being hailed as “one of the sweetest, largest and best-tasting raspberries available to Scottish shoppers this summer”.
The new berry was developed by Ava Berries, the breeding programme of Angus Soft Fruits, following years of careful selection, field trials and commercial testing.
Angus Soft Fruits agronomist Alix Stewart said: “The chances of creating a single raspberry line like this are often described internally as ‘one in a million’. So, it’s a big moment when one actually does.
“What sets Ava Monet apart is that it wasn’t just about surviving the natural breeding process but excelling in it.
“From thousands of initial crosses, only a tiny fraction are ever considered for further development. This one consistently stood out for fruit size, sweetness, appearance, plant health, and how easily it can be picked. These are all traits that matter from farm to shelf, and result in a consistently better eating experience for consumers.”
As weather patterns become more unpredictable, Angus Soft Fruits emphasised that new varieties like Ava Monet are designed to improve resilience across the supply chain, while delivering consistently high-quality fruit for consumers.
Alan Leslie, a buying director at Aldi Scotland, said: “Our 14-year partnership with Angus Soft Fruits is built on quality, provenance and delivering the tastiest fruit to the people of Scotland. Ava Monet is a great example of that commitment.”
