Raspberry growers are celebrating an exceptionally strong start to the season, with this summer’s crop delivering larger, sweeter berries weighing up to 8–9g per fruit.
Exceptional growing conditions means British raspberries are also arriving in supermarkets up to two weeks earlier than usual.
British Berry Growers, the industry body representing 95% of all berries sold in the UK, said this year’s warm, dry spring balanced with bursts of rainfall has helped produce a strong crop of vibrant raspberries.
British raspberries are also impressing growers and agronomists for their flavour, colour and size this season, with consumers likely to see much bigger than usual fruit.
Jim Floor, managing director at Wokingham-based Hall Hunter, said: “This is shaping up to be one of the best raspberry seasons we’ve had in years.
“We’re seeing consistently large berries with incredible flavour, and the early start means British shoppers can enjoy them sooner than usual.”
Berries grown in Wokingham and Wargrave are supplied to major national supermarket chains, including Sainsbury’s, Marks & Spencers, Tesco, Waitrose and Asda.
The favourable weather this year has brought the British raspberry season forward by around 7-10 days, meaning shoppers have started to see produce hitting shelves earlier than expected.
“The combination of warm days and cool nights has given the berries the ideal conditions to thrive,” added Alix Stewart, an agronomist at Angus Growers, a Scottish cooperative supplying raspberries across the UK.
“This year’s fruit is not only large and eye-catching, it’s packed full of natural sweetness.
“Early indicators suggest very strong yields too.”
It comes after growers reported a strong strawberry crop, owing to unusually high sunshine levels and exceptional bee pollination activity during March and April.
Nick Marston, chairman of British Berry Growers, said: ”British berry growers work incredibly hard to ensure quality and consistency across their crop, and it is clear the weather has also lent them a helping hand this year.
“With the season starting early and the fruit quality looking outstanding, we’re expecting strong demand for British raspberries throughout the summer.”
British raspberries have become a seasonal staple in recent years, with data showing their popularity comes second only to British strawberries.
