UK Berry Harvest Surges as Warm Spring Boosts Crop Yields

UK households looking to purchase blueberries, strawberries, or blackberries this summer can expect an impressive harvest. Thanks to the warmest spring on record, blueberry yields are projected to increase by nearly 25 percent this year. By the end of August, approximately 5,133 tonnes of blueberries will have been harvested, compared to 4,187 tonnes at the same time last year.

Fruit experts and grocery analysts indicate that sales of blueberries have also risen, showing a nine percent year-on-year increase, according to data from BirminghamLive. Daniel Martin, Group Commercial Director at SandA Produce, described the blueberry season as having a “really positive early start.” He noted that the season is about two weeks ahead of schedule, attributing this to strong light levels and minimal rainfall. “As a result, we’re seeing excellent fruit size and nice, even ripening across the crop,” he stated. Martin expressed optimism about the season, expecting excellent flavour and shelf life from this year’s crop.

Berry Crops Flourish Across the UK

The positive news extends beyond blueberries. Jim Floor, Managing Director of Hall Hunter, one of the UK’s leading blueberry growers, highlighted the progress made in robotic fruit picking, though he cautioned that the technology is not yet ready for widespread commercial use. Meanwhile, Nick Marston, Chair of the industry body British Berry Growers, reported that all UK berry crops, including strawberries and raspberries, have seen an increase of about 25 percent. “The weather has been very beneficial for all berry crops,” he remarked.

This optimistic outlook aligns with earlier reports indicating that strawberries at major retailers such as Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and M&S were expected to yield exceptionally large quantities. Bartosz Pinkosz from the Summer Berry Company, which supplies fruit to various supermarkets, previously noted that his West Sussex farm is producing berries so large they “cannot fit in your mouth.” In a statement to The Guardian two months ago, he mentioned, “I have genuinely never seen a harvest produce such large berries consistently. Some are supersized – growing to the size of plums or even kiwi fruits.”

With the summer season in full swing, consumers can look forward to bountiful berry selections at their local supermarkets, thanks to the favorable weather conditions and advancements in agricultural practices.