Company forecasts record-breaking harvest as more consumers actively seek out home-grown fruit
Leading British berry grower Hall Hunter Partnership says it is on track to deliver its biggest blueberry harvest to date as it kicks off its 2026 season.
The company, which has 200ha planted across eight farms in Surrey and Berkshire, currently accounts for over 40 per cent of the UK’s blueberry production, making it the country’s leading grower.
With UK blueberry sales growing by approximately 20 per cent year-on-year, Hall Hunter said it will continue to expand in line with rising demand, though with a typical time to bearing of around five years for new plantings, growth remains a long-term process.
Alongside the health and snacking trends that are driving the growth of the category, the company said there is also a clear shift toward supporting domestic food production. Red Tractor data shows that nine in ten UK consumers are calling for more food produced in Britain, while The Grocer’s 2025 trend report found that 68 per cent of shoppers buy British produce when possible, and 70 per cent actively seek to support British farmers through their purchasing decisions.
Managing director Jim Floor commented: “Our British Blueberries are looking fantastic this year, we are really happy with the development of the crop, especially with newer varieties that have bigger, firmer and sweeter berries. It is a long-term plan, but we are pleased with our progress and are looking forward to a successful 2026 season”.
The business has also made significant investments in its blueberry operations over the past year. This includes the purchase of two additional Harvy 500 harvesters, capable of picking up to 500kg per hour compared to approximately 10kg per hour by hand, allowing for a significantly faster and more efficient harvesting process. This is further enhanced by the Elifab AI grading technology used during packing to ensure consistent quality.
Hall Hunter has also invested in integrated bird protection measures, including trained falcons to assist with repelling birds, as well as laser bird control systems, which project moving light patterns over crops to deter birds and reduce loss without harming wildlife.
As demand for British blueberries continues to rise, Hall Hunter Partnership remains at the forefront of innovation, production scale, and quality standards within the UK soft fruit sector. With continued investment in technology, genetics, and sustainable farming practices, the business is well positioned to meet growing consumer demand while delivering premium British-grown berries at scale for years to come.
