UK: All signs point to a good season for berry growers

British strawberries are ripening to perfection this year, thanks to a mix of sunny days and cool temperatures; conditions which slow growth, allowing plants to relax and produce larger, sweeter berries.

© WB Chambers/British Berry Growers

Strawberries, along with raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries, continue to be the most popular fruit item in shoppers' baskets, with berry sales volumes increasing by 4.3 percent in the past year alone, with market penetration (the percentage of consumers buying berries) now reaching 85.3 percent.

© WB Chambers/British Berry Growers

The British berry market also reached a total market value of £2 billion for the first time1 earlier this year, according to British Berry Growers, the industry body representing 95 percent of British berries sold in the UK.