Scottish strawberry growers have reported a good start to the season, although they have warned that wholesale prices have not kept up with increased production costs.
Speaking to Hortidaily, Robert Simpson of Fife Fruits, who produce 32 ha of soft fruit in Fife, said, “The early fruit went reasonably well, timing was normal as these plants were fleeced and pushed on and did well. However, the plants which were uncovered in the spring and held back to delay production suffered from the cold spring and are now running a bit behind.”
A feared clash between English and Scottish production due to a later than normal English season also failed to materialise. “We didn‘t see the peak in the English season that had been predicted. So far, things are going well, we are able to sell everything as we pick it,” he continued. “Scotland has had some hot weather in the last few weeks, but it has not brought the crop on too much, but it will have an effect on the plants, and I expect the production to be more condensed.”
Robert also said that despite press reports focusing on rising food prices in the shops, growers are not seeing increased returns for their product. “We all hear a lot about food inflation and have seen the increase in prices in the shops, but this is not being reflected in the returns to growers. Food prices have increased 20%, but we receive the same returns,” he added.