Although May 2024 was reported as the warmest on record, the sunshine hours were lacking, the above average temperatures were mainly the result of warmer nights. Although this has helped soft fruit growers, the season is still running a bit behind a 'normal' year.
"We were two weeks late, but we have caught up a bit," said Chris Rose, COO at Asplins Producer's Organisation. "We had good, warm weather around three weeks ago which brought on the strawberries and the timing was good. We are now ahead of last year, but still behind a normal year."
Chris said that one of the advantages of this weather is that the fruit is a good size and the taste is great.
"We are mostly through the first peak of the season, and it has not been too painful, we managed to move all of the fruit. Yields have been inline with pre-season estimates, and the good berry sizes helps with picking speed. It also increases demand and we have seen good sales across the board."
A bit of sunshine and British strawberries on the shelves does a lot to increase demand. Strawberries are seen as a very British product, raspberries a bit less so, while blueberries are seen very much as a global commodity.
"The raspberry crop is starting to ramp fairly quickly up now and should reach a peak in week 25. Demand is also good for raspberries. The supply of soft fruit throughout the UK seems to be quite steady, with the Scottish fruit starting to pick up in volume now. All in all, it's not a bad start to the season."
For more information:
Chris Rose
Asplins Producer Organisation
Tel: +44 1795 594811
Email: [email protected]