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 Latest News
CONFIDENT OUTLOOK FOR LATE SEASON BERRY CROPS
Fresh blueberry arrivals next month
While the English summer has stuttered and hardly started, the good news is that we are able to continue to forecast good availability of English late season fruit. While it has been a difficult year, our growers have been coping remarkably well.
The result that production will be coming forward right through to the arrival of the first frosts, still hopefully many weeks away.
Meanwhile we are also now planning for the arrival of the first glasshouse fruit due in late September offering further continuity through until November. Programmes will also receive additional support from Holland.
Planting in Egypt is already underway ensuring that customers will maintain a taste of sunshine through the winter.
Raspberries
Long autumn run
From the UK late season raspberries will be available and supplies of new season imported fruit will give continuity from September and throughout the winter.
The consistency of English sourcing has been a high point this season, in addition to some very high quality fruit.
 Blackberries
Better and better
Blackberries represent one of the success stories in the berry industry, and the fruit has now rightfully won a permanent place as part of the selection on retail shelves.
The benefit of increased consumer demand is now being felt by UK growers who have also responded with the increased planting of many of the new varieties that have become available.
Volumes over the current peak seasonal period will be maintained until the end of September.
 Blueberries
Fresh fruit continuity
Polish fruit will be available over the next fortnight, but will now start to be reduced in volume as harvesting comes to a close.
We will however be able to maintain the momentum for fresh fruit with the first arrivals from Australia and Argentina.
 Red Currants
Local interest
Interest in local sourcing has given an added impetus to this niche market occupied by English red currants at the time of year.
While this season will shortly be over, there is guaranteed year round continuity from Holland, where fruit stored under controlled atmosphere is kept in the peak of condition through until next summer.
 Rhubarb
Optimistic outlook
Interest in the outdoor crop is expected to increase as the first shades of autumn appear next month. There is excellent quality coming forward from our specialist producers which has made its own contribution to the renaissance that this traditional English crop has enjoyed. |
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