Family-owned company is the UK’s biggest blueberry producer, accounting for almost half of national output
Hall Hunter celebrates its 60 anniversary this month. The family-owned business was founded by Mark and Mary Hall in 1966, selling salad and vegetables at London wholesale markets and offering Pick Your Own. Today, the B Corp certified company is one of the UK’s biggest berry producers with a workforce of 1,500.
Currently under the direction of son and managing partner, Harry Hall, Hall Hunter owns seven farms spanning 400ha in the south of England, growing strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries. Blueberries are its most important crop and the company is responsible for nearly 50 per cent the UK’s output.
“With blueberry demand in the UK now at an all-time high (demand has increased 20 per cent in 2025 alone), we feel passionately about the importance of buying British,” the company said. “Currently the UK consumes 65,000 tonnes of blueberries annually and only 10 per cent of these are British – a figure we are determined to increase.”
The company uses the latest technology to create a more efficient harvesting and packing infrastructure. Its AI blueberry grading machine can pack 40kg of blueberries per minute – ten times the amount of any human. Furthermore, its Harvey 500 Harvester can harvest fruit at a rate of 600kg/h, making for a more streamlined system and paving the way for further growth too.
Managing energy consumption has also been a key focus for Hall Hunter. It has invested in both rooftop and ground mounted solar panels that convert over 55 per cent of its energy output to renewable sources, including water source heat pumps and a biomass heating network. This ongoing green initiative will enable the company to reduce its energy costs by 50 per cent over time.
Hall Hunter was listed as one of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work in 2025. In peak soft fruit season (May-August), the company employs 1,500 people, the majority of whom are pickers and packers. “We take our responsibility seriously – during the past three years we have upgraded our employee accommodation, investing over £1mn in larger mobile homes, as part of an ongoing investment programme,” the company said.
Hall Hunter secured B Corp certification in 2025, with a score of 96.1 recognising the company’s ongoing efforts in ethical and sustainable practices. These include biodiversity and conservation measures such as pollinator monitoring and Wrap food waste reporting, community events like the annual Leaf Open Farm Sunday, school visits, and a competitive employee benefits and development programme. The certification recognises the company’s ongoing efforts in ethical and sustainable practices.
With a projected yield of 10,000 tonnes for 2026, Hall Hunter said it would continue to focus on growth, with innovation being central to its ongoing success.
