Herefordshire grower builds seasonal excitement with earliest boxes in just its second year of Tenderstem production
Cobrey Farms has repeated its feat of consistently growing the first British asparagus of the season by doing the same with Tenderstem.
In just its second season producing the popular brassica, the renowned Wye Valley grower has begun harvesting British Tenderstem two weeks earlier than in 2025.
This is thanks to investment in polytunnels designed to extend and advance the UK season by intensifying the sun’s heat.
Experienced grower Chris Chinn delivered the first box to Tesco in Ledbury, Herefordshire, on 14 May, with the retailer receiving Cobrey Farms’ initial volumes via Flamingo Produce before production peaks from July onwards.
For now, Cobrey Farms remains a small-scale grower in a large category, but Chinn plans to increase production in the years ahead, building on his core portfolio of asparagus, fine beans, blueberries and rhubarb.
“Tenderstem is a lovely product, the market is in growth, and we already have experience in other summer vegetables, so it made total sense for us to move into Tenderstem,” Chinn told FPJ, adding that Tesco has been “very supportive” of Cobrey Farms getting involved in the category.
As mentioned, the early crop – which is of the Kilimanjaro variety – has been grown in polytunnels, with open-field harvesting set to begin a week or so later.
Looking ahead, Chinn is confident of pushing the harvest even earlier in the years ahead.
Flamingo Produce added that the achievement, which builds excitement for the start of the British Tenderstem season, highlights Tesco’s “ongoing commitment to working closely with British growers to bring high-quality seasonal produce to shelves at the earliest opportunity”.
In addition to retail supply, Cobrey Farms will sell Tenderstem under its Wye Valley brand via Ocado, as well as through UK wholesale markets.
