A new, sweeter British-bred raspberry that grows up to twice the size of regular varieties is helping boost UK demand for the summer fruit to record levels. Since the raspberry season started in May demand has grown by nearly 45 per cent on the same period last year. And the arrival of the Berry Jewel, which was bred by a Kent based berry breeder Peter Vinson, is being heralded as a major breakthrough in quality. Last year British growers produced more than 10,600 tonnes. This year the industry anticipates, weather permitting, that figure to grow by a third with the Berry Jewel predicted to widen interest.
Peter Vinson said: “Berry Jewel is the culmination of 12 years work developing a variety which would bring about a ‘wow’ factor for shoppers and make them consider raspberries in a new way. The early demand and feedback from shoppers has been fantastic and next year we hope to have twice as much stock available.”
