The English strawberry season is in a bit of a dip at the moment. The first flush is past, as is the main peak of the season.
"We are coming off the main peak and into a lull," explains Chris Rose from Asplins Producers Organisation. "We will have the third flush in September. I expect that the current warm weather will bring it forward. The heat may also bring some quality issues with shelf life and sizing. The plants are doing well in the heat; they become conditioned to it. The problems come when there are big differences in temperatures and the plants go into shock."
Demand is lower at the moment; this is normal when the schools are on holiday. "This may be a good thing, as we don't have much fruit. The dip in the English season should be working well for Scottish growers at the moment."
Raspberries also see peaks and troughs in production, but not quite as much as strawberries.
"The later primocane raspberries tend to build volumes and have a later peak. It is difficult to say what the effects of the heat will be, but it will most likely speed up the volume build and so increase total volumes in the end. Raspberry canes tend to keep producing flowers until it gets too cold."
The high temperatures are very challenging for the pickers, so it is a good thing that we are not at peak volume at the moment. We can get the pickers starting early so they are out of the tunnels before it gets too hot."
For more information:
Chris Rose
Asplins Producer Organisation
Tel: +44 1795 594811
Email: [email protected]
