Scottish berry specialist Angus Soft Fruits says that it has had a record-breaking season, helped largely by increased sales of its exclusive AVA brand strawberry varieties.
Increase sales of AVA strawberries, of which the first variety was first launched in 2003, together with ideal weather conditions earlier in the season in north-east Scotland, both helped with the season which saw a 109 per cent increase in AVA availability.
Angus Soft Fruits’ chairman Lochy Porter said, “Thanks to our specialist Breeding Programme, talented growing team, and a bit of luck with the weather, we’ve managed to deliver the highest volume of AVA strawberries to date helping to satisfy increasing demand from customers,” said Porter.
“The primary aim of our in-house Breeding Programme is to bring new selections to market that have improved flavour, appearance, shelf life, disease resistance and yield than current varieties… Our Breeding Programme has gone from strength to strength and we have developed six more commercial selections worthy of the AVA trademark, a clear sign of the varieties’ superior taste and quality.
“Together with our fantastic growers here in Scotland, we will be working hard to sustain this growth into next year’s season and increase supply of our sweet and delicious AVA strawberries even more.”
Photo Credit: Angus Soft Fruits