THE UK glasshouse strawberry season is getting under way this week, albeit slightly later than hoped for.
Supplier Redbridge AFI reports that volumes will begin building next week. "It is delayed by about two weeks on what we had anticipated," said the company's Ian Waller. "It is due in part to a milder winter which meant a reduced amount of cold units for the crop. Our tunnel producers are also finding they are seven to 14 days later than anticipated.”
At KG Fruits, md Nick Marston said that picking of the first glasshouse Elsanta was due to start this week. "Modest quantities should be available next week, and we are just a few days later than last year," said Marston. "Kent, Essex, Scotland and the West Country are all starting more or less at the same time."
Supplies are therefore expected to dovetail well with product availability from Spain, which has fallen prey to changeable weather lately.
"The weather got better at the end of last week, but the forecast in Spain longer term is still for unsettled weather," said Waller.
Nevertheless, the Huelva region will remain the main source for UK importers until next month, predominating in the first half of May over UK glasshouse supplies before the roles switch as Spanish availability and quality tail off towards the end of the month.
The market is benefiting this season from first commercial plantings of later variety Sabrosa which has been developed by Spanish seedhouse Planesa. "It is a later variety available from March into late May and is highly flavoured with good colour and shape," said Waller. "It is a very nice berry."
Meanwhile, raspberry production from Spain is also running slightly behind schedule as availability of Glen Lyon has dipped a little and Tulameen is some seven to 14 days late.
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