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GLASSHOUSE STRAWBERRIES FIT THE BILL SPANISH RASPBERRIES GATHERS MOMENTUM

Strawberries

UK quality looking good

The arrival of an Indian summer in the early part of October has helped prolong the English outdoor season which is now winding down. Quality has been very good, although future volumes will be dependent on weather conditions and the economics of picking the last fruit.

Emphasis will now start to switch to English glasshouse fruit which is looking superb and the forecast is to build to reasonable quantities by the third week of the month. This will be closely followed by Dutch which will ensure continuity for our programmes.

Raspberries

Good start for Spain

English fruit is still available with late crop Glen Lyon filling a gap as the momentum builds with Spanish arrivals. The season the other side of the Pyrenees has however got off to an excellent start particularly for our exclusive Brilliance variety. Overall we would expect to see volumes build throughout November and December.

Additional fruit will also start to become available from mid November as the Mexican and South African season add their weight.

Blackberries

Mix and match

There is still some top quality English fruit coming forward, although over the next few weeks as the season comes to a close it will be replaced by the Dutch glasshouse crop. We would expect to see a surge in availability from mid to late November as Mexico comes on stream.

This will maintain the high levels of quality which has been the key to elevate the reputation of the fruit and increase sales.

Blueberries

Waiting time

Wet weather in Argentina has held back the crop in Corncordia which has been supplying our early programmes since September. A change of temperature over two or three days - when it arrives - will herald a substantial increase in volume.

Latest reports indicate that the Chilean crop due in mid November is looking good, with similar information coming from Australia.

Red Currants

Clockwork precision

Dutch red currants stored safely under controlled atmosphere provide the assurance to our specialist patisserie customers that we are able to meet any increase in requirement as it is needed. Fruit quality is, as ever, excellent.

Rhubarb

Bespoke production

Popularity amongst consumers continues to increase as autumn gets underway, which can be met by the availability of Dutch forced production including some early bespoke varieties.