Supermarket Waitrose says it has been able to offer customers ‘a bumper crop of British plums’ from the end of June; ‘earlier than ever before.’
The combination of an unusually warm, dry spring and early summer, and the more recent rain, meant that the plums were harvested up to ten days earlier than usual. Initially it was available in three Waitrose stores, before expanding to 40 shops from the 2nd July.
The plums were grown by Michael and Christiana Bentley at Castle Fruit Farm in Gloucestershire. This is the first time in 30 years of supplying Waitrose that Castle Fruit Farm have harvested the fruit in June.
Tim Stevens, Waitrose fruit buyer commented, “It is extremely unusual for us to have British plums harvested in June. We’re thrilled to be able to offer our customers such high-quality homegrown produce and the weather has certainly helped this year’s crop.”
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