British soft fruit supplier Berry Gardens sold 2,330 tonnes of berries and cherries in the third week of June – its biggest every week. In a statement on the wider market the firm commented, ‘This was a great run up to the Wimbledon fortnight, over the tournament sales were 10% up year on year.’
“This year the weather has been more unpredictable, with unseasonably warm temperatures in April supporting good Easter weekend sales,” explained Alastair Brooks Chairman of Berry Gardens. “However, in May the temperature dropped resulting in plants slowing down, working with our partner Driscoll’s we were able to maintain availability of berries.”
The company reported that blackberry production (which is up 21 per cent on the previous year) continues to be dominated by Driscoll’s® Victoria™ with Berry Gardens market share to date this year at 61 per cent compared to 50 per cent in 2018. Raspberry production has grown by just over 8 per cent year on year with Berry Gardens’ market share year to date reaching 40. Per cent compared to 36.5 per cent in 2018.
Alastair continued, “Berry Gardens Growers continued investment in blueberry plantings is reflected in our increased market share up from 5.7% per cent in 2018 to 8.7 per cent this year. As a co-operative we have increased our planting of blueberries from 179 hectares last year to 209 this year; by 2022 we anticipate the co-operatives production to exceed 300 hectares. The increased growth is supported by our members, who were the early pioneers of British blueberries, and also new members of the co-operative including Mee Farmers based in Peterborough and Bradley Farm in Shropshire a new member this year.”
Photo Caption: Berry Gardens says it is seeing large growth in the demand for blueberries
Photo Credit: pxhere