British growers have announced that this year’s strawberry crop has broken records, with a staggering 60,170 tonnes already produced – an increase of eight per cent since 2013 – and still more to come.
The season kicked off in March, seven weeks earlier than last year, as a result of the unexpectedly mild spring. Growers are still producing the quintessentially British fruit and expect the season to continue into December.
British Summer Fruits, the industry body that represents 98 per cent of berries sold in supermarkets, have stated that the industry is reaping the benefits of years of innovation and new technology.
Seen as a remarkable success story of the British produce industry, the season lasted for just six weeks 25 years ago and had a market share of around 10 per cent.
This year’s record crop will have run for about38 weeks by the end of the season – more than two thirds of the year. British growers benefited from a 98 per cent market share at the peak of the season, a result of the successful replacement of imports.