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SUMMER BOUNTY EXCEEDS EXPECTATIONS

Strawberries

Brilliant sunshine  over the last week has created a situation where picking has been taking place as fast as possible during the cool of early morning, with fruit being moved quickly to our retail customers who have been reporting a surge in demand.

This pattern shows every sign of continuing well past the traditional Wimbledon fortnight, due to excellent fruit quality creating the ultimate taste experience.

The Kent main crop is now past its peak with indications that the Scottish crop will shortly be in full harvest.  We are expecting there to be a shortening of supply by the middle of the month, with quantity coming back on stream when Everbearers and the 60-day crop gets underway in August and lasts through until September

Raspberries

We should see the crop peak about mid July, with some excellent quality already coming forward. This bodes well for a sector which is increasing in importance every year, as the demand for a wide selection berry fruit by consumers continues to expand.

Blackberries

The quality of UK varieties coming forward at the present time  as the season builds is proof of the change that has been taking place distancing commercial production from the country image.

Now sourced internationally, cultivated blackberries bear little resemblance to the hedgerow crops being larger, sweeter and available in increasing volumes because of the surge in public demand.

Latest reports indicate that the British crop will peak by late July.

Blueberries

With the Spanish crop finishing and France well past its peak, we will be switching to German and Dutch sources to maintain continuity which continues to create good opportunities for promotion.

At the same time there will be a trickle from our own specialist English growers - and following on - the Polish crop should be well underway by the end of the month.

Red Currants

Seasonal treat

While the bulk of red currants will continue to be supplied from Holland, there are also limited quantities of English fruit at this time of year.

The blackcurrant crop, of which a proportion is still offered fresh, rather than for processing, will also be coming forward this month.

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Rhubarb

Still available

With soft fruit in such profusion at this time of the year, the public demand for rhubarb reduces. However our specialist producers still have limited quantities available to meet all our programmes.

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Plums & Cherries

Looking good

Weather permitting the English cherry crop looks in great shape with the first fruit already being offered to the passing tourist trade in Kent.  The build up is expected over the next fortnight with every indication of excellent quality, and hopefully a vintage season.

Plums are not far behind and also showing the same level of promise with the first Opals expected to be harvested around July 19^th.